Rita Johnston
July 2024 - Let's Order
About the Image(s)
In April I was at a restaurant while on a short vacation trip. A family was seated not too far away from us, including this grandpa and his grandchild. As the child sat in his lap, I took this photo with my iphone 13 pro max. While I took several shots, this one of the child looking at the menu - and ready to order - I thought was the most precious. Data on it: exposure 1/40, F2.8, no flash. In processing it I had to increase the size to start, adjusted colors with ACR, cropped it down to just the two of them, and finally put a vintage filter on it. All comments appreciated, and particularly interested if it would be a good candidate in the “People" category of contests? And does it have enough story?
This round’s discussion is now closed!
12 comments posted
Rita, this is a stunning "Norman Rockwell" style image. It does have a beautiful story, and if it were mine, I would certainly enter it into the people category of contests. Great job! Posted: 07/06/2024 16:09:58
Rita - this tells a story very clearly. It's a wonderfully sweet image and with your processing the first thing I thought (like Georgianne) was "Norman Rockwell". I haven't entered any PSA contests, but I don't know why this wouldn't fit the bill in the people category.
Well done! Posted: 07/06/2024 20:30:40
Well done! Posted: 07/06/2024 20:30:40
I can just see "Norman Rockwell" in the corner. Neither subject is aware of the camera. Grandpa is only aware of the child, and she is pretending to be a grown-up by reading the menu. There is a lot of story here. It should be perfect a "People" category - might even be a winner. Posted: 07/12/2024 19:05:01
Hi Rita - I agree with everyone's comments - this is sweet and lovely and tells a wonderful story. I would definitely enter it! Posted: 07/25/2024 00:17:25
Thank you all for your feedback. Appreciated.
Posted: 07/25/2024 00:41:51
Posted: 07/25/2024 00:41:51
You've done a great job of recreating the Norman Rockwell look with this Rita. Such a sweet story. I kind of wish the empty chair in the foreground could have been eliminated. I wonder if AI would be able to accomplish that?? Posted: 07/25/2024 22:59:48
Have you used AI to do such a thing? I wish it had not been there, but I thought I could not do a good enough job in PS to take it out. Let me know how I could that? Thanks. Posted: 07/26/2024 04:24:24
I've used the spot healing brush in PS to remove unwanted things in photos, but this seemed like too big of a job for that, but I decided to try it. So, it was a matter of using the spot healing brush to paint out most of the chair. It actually did a pretty decent job, but there were still traces left behind. Then I used the clone tool to add parts of his shirt back in and the lower part of the chair legs and crossbars. Are you familiar with those tools? Posted: 07/26/2024 19:03:17
Thank you for that effort! I think it does look better with the shirt out. I am familiar with those tools and have used them. Will give it a try. Thanks for including the resulting photo too. Posted: 07/26/2024 19:24:00
My pleasure Rita. I didn't spend enough time to do it flawlessly, but if you're familiar with those tools, I'm sure you can do it better. Good luck with your entry! Posted: 07/26/2024 20:55:00
I meant to say with the chair out. The shirt looks the hardest to replace. I will give it a try, but your result was very pleasing. Posted: 07/26/2024 22:11:46
Hi Rita, You have captured a charming image with a nice story. I think if you were going to enter it into a competition then it would be best to remove the foreground chair as Jan suggested. I would also remove the pictures on the wall as they are quite bright and pull the viewers eye out of the image. Posted: 07/28/2024 08:35:52