This was taken on a photoshoot with 5 different models and sets. This model was dressed in 1920s style. The image was taken with my Olympus OM-1 and 12-40mm lens and studio flashlights. The main light was to the right of the model with a fill light to the left. The camera settings were f8, 1/160s, ISO 100. I made the following changes in Photoshop after initial processing in Camera Raw.
-Extended canvas to right, as I felt the model wasn’t positioned correctly in the frame.
-Replaced the background with one from a previous shoot, as I liked the framing this gave me.
-Removed the tattoo on the model’s back as I didn’t think an anchor tattoo was in keeping with the glamorous 1920s theme.
-Desaturated the yellow on model’s skin and hair.
-Added a curves layer to darken the bottom of the dress.
-Added a curves layer to lighten the model’s face and the back of the dress.
-Used a curves layer to add a vignette.
-Finally added a cooling filter at low opacity.
6 comments posted
Denise McKay
Your model shoots are always stunning Carol. I love the rich colors of the dress and background and the smooth skin tones. I like your background change as it simplifies the area above her interesting hair piece. The swirly lines of the original background competed. You also handled the reflections on the shiny beads beautifully, and actually got some starbursts on some! Did you add those or were you able to get them at f8 because of shooting on micro 4/3rds? Posted: 04/06/2026 19:59:00
Carol Watson
Thanks Denise. I had forgotten that I added a few little starbursts, well spotted. Posted: 04/15/2026 13:58:53
Jan Handman
Great image Carol. The original is very nice, but you took it to a much higher level with your edits. Taking out the tattoo helped a lot; her skin tones are soft and radiant; the lighting is beautifully dramatic. The new background frames her much nicer than the original. Well done! Posted: 04/11/2026 19:48:17
Carol Watson
Thanks Jan Posted: 04/15/2026 13:59:19
Georgianne Giese
In my mind, this is a really stunning image! I do love it. I agree with you and Jan that removing the tattoo really helps. The desaturation of the skin helps brighten her face.
Great job! Posted: 04/11/2026 20:36:37
