punchy edit

[clphoto]

https://www.google.com/search?q=strong+is+the+new+pretty&espv=2&rlz=1C1SFXN_enUS526US664&biw=1366&bih=662&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj08KbEybPQAhWf0YMKHdijAc8QsAQILA&dpr=1#imgrc=J7yDSuM6IUdniM%3A

I can not link to this image on her site, it is no longer there.  It is from Kate Parker's "Strong is the New Pretty" series which is a huge inspiration for me.  I love her punchy edits, especially her black and white with striking eyes and freckles.  I hope the above link works. This one from her site is similar but with a wide angle lens:

http://www.katetparkerphotography.com/PORTFOLIO/7

I am attaching an image I'd like to try it on.

Thanks!

 

[Damien Symonds]

Are you saying that you think the freckles were added artificially in those images?

[clphoto]

No, I think she brought them out extremely.  I know this child doesn't have prominent freckles, but am interested in the overall edit and technique of the punchy-ness of the details.

[Damien Symonds]

Right, but there needs to be SOME freckles there to begin with.

And don't worry, you'll learn all you want, and more, about punchy black-and-whites in the Levels Class.

[clphoto]

Ok, this one is similar but without the emphasis on the freckles...

http://www.katetparkerphotography.com/PORTFOLIO/73

or this one in color:

http://www.katetparkerphotography.com/STRONG-IS-THE-NEW-PRETTY/38

So, after you let me in levels, I will be able to recreate this type of crisp edit?  Does that mean you can't show me here because it is class content?  

Thanks!  I'm plugging away to get in there.  Was just hoping to see what you came up with here - love her style!

Edited November 19, 2016 by clphoto

[Damien Symonds]

Oh, the colour one is interesting!  We can definitely discuss that here.

Do you have one with a bright background, like your photo?  Or alternatively, a photo of your own with a dark background?

[clphoto]

This one has a bright outdoor background, but she has freckles again... 

http://www.katetparkerphotography.com/STRONG-IS-THE-NEW-PRETTY/79

Will this work to show what I mean?

[Damien Symonds]

I think you must have given me the wrong link?  That's definitely not a bright background.

[clphoto]

This one:

http://www.katetparkerphotography.com/PORTFOLIO/19

Or:

http://www.katetparkerphotography.com/STRONG-IS-THE-NEW-PRETTY/2

Or maybe this one?

https://www.google.com/search?q=strong+is+the+new+pretty&espv=2&rlz=1C1SFXN_enUS526US664&biw=1366&bih=662&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj08KbEybPQAhWf0YMKHdijAc8QsAQILA&dpr=1#tbm=isch&q=kate+t+parker&imgrc=FI1_t4uJGD35jM%3A

[clphoto]

this one is close I think:

http://www.katetparkerphotography.com/PORTFOLIO/95

though less punchy than the others.

Edited November 19, 2016 by clphoto

[Damien Symonds]

1 minute ago, clphoto said:

this one is close I think:

http://www.katetparkerphotography.com/PORTFOLIO/95

Right.  And it's no coincidence that that is the least punchy one you've posted.

The dark background is CRITICAL to this look.

[clphoto]

closer? If not, I'll keep digging.

[Damien Symonds]

I just had a look back through all the links you'd provided.

Yes, the last photo you posted has a dark enough background, but it also has "panda eyes".  None of the examples have those eye socket shadows.

You need to look more closely at the photos you're finding.  How they're lit.

[clphoto]

either of these adequate enough to give a shot? 

[clphoto]

Or these?

[Damien Symonds]

How about this?

[clphoto]

That seems similar!

[Damien Symonds]

Ok, what about a dark hair one?  I'm not sure about this maybe I've got the saturation too high?

[clphoto]

Yes, definitely has more punch/crisp.... May I ask what method you are trying?  Thank You!

Will I learn about they eyes in levels?  right now I rely on an action and I'd like to learn the style similar to hers from scratch.

[Damien Symonds]

3 minutes ago, clphoto said:

Will I learn about they eyes in levels?  right now I rely on an action and I'd like to learn the style similar to hers from scratch.

Gosh yes, you sure will.

[Damien Symonds]

4 minutes ago, clphoto said:

Yes, definitely has more punch/crisp.... May I ask what method you are trying?  Thank You!

Give me a minute, I'll upload the PSD files ...

[Damien Symonds]

First PSD

Second PSD

[clphoto]

Thank you, no rush - I'm off to bed!  I appreciate you taking a look and offering some guidance with these!

[Damien Symonds]

In essence, the method is putting a black-and-white layer over the photo, on a blend mode.  I've used Channel Mixer for the BW, but there are other BW layers that might work too.  I have used Soft Light mode, but I hope you saw this thread in your searching, where I used Hard Light mode instead.

[Damien Symonds]

Did you play with it?