Oliver Morton
About the Image(s)
This image was made when my grandson just turned six years old. (He’s headed to college this Fall.) The lighting was terrible, and the background was distracting, however, he was just learning to ride so a few photographs were absolutely necessary!
Processing was done primarily in Photoshop and Camera Raw. By inverting the selection of Chris and the horse, I was able to tame the background a bit. Then, the Camera Raw basic adjustments and the adjustment brush let me do some lighting modifications. Finally, I use Nik’s Color Efex Pro 4 to apply a selective vignette.
Data: Canon 5D Mark II; 100-400mm lens @ 400mm; 1/1600 sec; f/14; ISO 1600.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
7 comments posted
You have done a good job processing it but I wonder how long ago this was and whether you have used the latest tools. Attached is my effort at processing it. I started with the original, obviously it may have been better if I had the raw file rather than a small jpeg. I have only really spent time on trying to improve his face. First I used Luminar AI using their Portrait section. I followed this by using the radial filter in Camera Raw and finally I used a curves layer to change the dark colour below his eyes. I didn't want to spend any longer on the image so I quickly desaturated yellow in the background. You have brought more colour and detail out in the saddle but I'm not sure if this adds to the picture or
becomes a distraction from your grandson. Lets see what the others think.
If you want to see how I used a curves layer to remove some of the darkness from under his eyes see
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lL8XUUWg_Q
  Posted: 06/01/2021 11:54:15
Just as you did, I blurred the background and reduced the saturation... but not as much as you. I noticed that you lowered the saturation of Chris and the horse as well. I like that.
Thank you again. Your suggestions/comments are very helpful.
  Posted: 06/01/2021 17:30:58