Camera Labs

I have taken some photos of a friends baby, I want to edit them to make them look their best, but the photos looked washed out..

This is the RAW into jpg-


This was an edit i did with adobe CS3 and setting with exposure and highlights...


and another edit using Curves...


What should i be doing to make this photo look it's best?

Also here are a few other pictures I would like to edit to make better, what should I be doing?




Thank you for your help
Neil

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Amateur, always learning!

My website:- www.neildavison.co.uk

The PP certainly helped and it also improved the background, this takes my eye of the subject because of the colour intensity and becomes the subject. For me the last one looks like having natural skin tones.

I do minor PP and found that by using sliders it’s difficult to detect slow change. In elements I use quick fix for lighting/shadows and contrast which increase levels by an amount I can detect, then I select a point anywhere in between which looks right for me



Cheers

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Nikon D7000, D40X, Nikkor 18- 200 VR II, f3.5-5.6, 70-300 AF non VR, Kit Lenses.

they look a bit overexposed, suggest drop the exposure/ brightness a bit, also look at reducing contrast a bit and raising saturation slightly.

had a very quick go with xnview, hope you don`t mind.

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Canon Powershot S95, Canon 6D,7D, 24-70 2.8 Tamron VC, Canon 15-85, Canon 85 1.8, Sigma 30 1.4, 50mm 1.8, Canon 100 2.8L Macro, Canon 70-300L +Kenko 1.4 Pro 300DGX, Canon 430EX II and RS 4 Classic

No I don't mind at all, thank you.
Ill have a play with those settings you've suggested.

_________________

Amateur, always learning!

My website:- www.neildavison.co.uk

What software are you using to edit with? If Photoshop, do a little research in using overlays. It's difficult for me to explain, I'm just learning good myself. But, using overlays, you can keep sharpness or improve sharpness of his eyes but drop some sharpness or clarity on his little forehead to clean it up a little. It's not hard once you play with it a bit, if you have Photoshop, sorry.

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Mike "The Squirrel"
Canon 550D | Canon EF 35mm 1:2 | Canon 50 f/1.8 II | Sigma 18-125mm DC OS | Tamron SP 70-300mm Di VC USD | Canon 430EX II
Military Issued Canon 40D | Canon 55-250mm IS

I'm using adobe CS3 so got loads of tools I can use.

_________________

Amateur, always learning!

My website:- www.neildavison.co.uk

ive had another play, if you look at www.neildavison.co.uk/baby/baby.htm
the ones on the left were my first play, the flat washed out ones, and the right ones are my latest play which i think look better.

_________________

Amateur, always learning!

My website:- www.neildavison.co.uk