Dianna Cameron Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 Are you able to help me improve the focus of this photograph? The photo was taken 35 years ago and the focus is terrible. The background is also terrible. Is there anything you can suggest? Kind regards Dianna Cameron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien Symonds Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 There's nothing can be done about focus, I'm afraid. It is what it is. For the background, I figure plain black would be best - is that what you were thinking too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dianna Cameron Posted February 1, 2019 Author Share Posted February 1, 2019 HI Damien - thank you very much for your time. I'm not sure about the background but it's not such a big problem.... It's a shame about the focus but there's nothing I can do about it now. Kind regards Dianna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien Symonds Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 I don't see any option other than black for the background. Add a "Solid Color" adjustment layer of black, and mask it on around her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien Symonds Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 How did it go, @Dianna Cameron? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dianna Cameron Posted February 4, 2019 Author Share Posted February 4, 2019 HI Damien --- Thank you for following up. A solid black background on a painting 60cm by 90cm might be a bit overwhelming. I have a couple of months before I have to start painting it, so I might see if I can experiment in Photoshop with alternative backgrounds. The trouble is I'm so inexperienced at this stage that I have no confidence. But I will give it a go. (I am learning a new Method of painting and this method requires that I paint exactly what I see for the first few paintings, otherwise I could simply experiment when I'm painting.) Thank you for your time. I know how busy you must be, and I appreciate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien Symonds Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 If you don't choose a solid black background, it will be necessary to artistically create an edge around the lady which doesn't presently exist. And I fear you don't have the necessary Photoshop skills for that very difficult task yet. I urge you to stick with black for this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dianna Cameron Posted February 4, 2019 Author Share Posted February 4, 2019 HI Damien --- Yes, and that is EXACTLY the problem I found when I made my first fumbling attempt to mask her in order to create the background. You are quite right, I don't have the necessary Photoshop skills yet. But can I ask, why would it be easier with a solid color than it would be with an artistic background? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien Symonds Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 Well ... exactly the reason I said. Because with a solid black background you don't need to artificially create any edges of the lady. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dianna Cameron Posted February 4, 2019 Author Share Posted February 4, 2019 Thanks for your time, Damien. I'll send you a photo of the painting when it's finished. ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien Symonds Posted April 21, 2019 Share Posted April 21, 2019 On 2/4/2019 at 6:38 PM, Dianna Cameron said: Thanks for your time, Damien. I'll send you a photo of the painting when it's finished. ? Did you finish it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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