Photoshop Color Treatments
Feb 8th, 2008 by jeremy
Aged
I am often stumped by what to do with a particular in Photoshop; what will bring out the best in the photo. There are so many possibilities of course, and when you get down to it there really is no right answer. Color adjustments are just as much of a subjective, artistic decision as when you actually took the actual photo.
Some people are purists and believe you should do as little as possible to a photo once it has been captured, that “Photoshopping” an image is near blasphemy. I wholeheartedly disagree. I believe the creative process of photography continues through the entire process of setting up and capturing the photo through the entire digital darkroom experience. Particularly with today’s digital SLR cameras, and especially when taking RAW photos, the image captured is often simply the beginning data on your digital canvas, ready to be enhanced to its full splendor.
Lately I have been actively reading, consuming if you will everything I can to try and improve my photo enhancement capabilities in Photoshop. I do have many years of experience with Photoshop, and have been enhancing my photos for several of those years, but lately I have felt compelled to take those abilities to a higher level. I look at so many great photographs online every day, on blogs, Flickr and various sites, and I am constantly humbled by the abilities of so many. Rather than be discouraged I am driven with a passion to improve.
Today’s images are just a small experiment with a photo taken back in January of 2005. This photo was slightly marred by the fact that the dress was slightly askew on the bride, but the emotions of the moment led me to enjoy this photo despite the imperfections. This couple was playful and excited throughout the entire shoot, and I felt this particular shot embodied their spirit. Every time I would encourage them to kiss and enjoy themselves, they would giggle and gladly indulge.
I played with various color treatments, though sometimes I end up feeling like the original color photo is the best. Here are three out of them I thought I would share. What are your thoughts?
Black and White
Original Color
Canon 20D, EF-S 18-55, 1/500 at f/5.6 and 200 ISO
also on flickr
The original color *is* nice Jer, but I have to admit I love the old-fashioned impression the ageing gave your top option.
But I am a sucker for the old-timey type stuff, as you well know. *grin*
There’s no question the composition is spot on. The texture of the tree bark lends interest without detracting from the bride and groom. And the aged look is the best in my opinion. The black and white and full color versions just don’t have the “pop” that the aged photo has. Perhaps it’s the subject–wedding couples traditionally dressed always seem to be best presented in a very traditional manner. This one is a contemporary composition with a traditional daguerrotype look. Also, I think the full color version is just a tad too saturated in the skin tones.
Thanks for the detailed feedback. I had to agree on the skin tones on the color version; that was part of what drove me to try out some difference color treatments. The shadows seemed to have enhanced that a bit. I hadn’t really considered the contemporary composition with the retro colors, though I do still like it best.
I think they all look good, but I definitely like the top one the best.
I like the aged look the best, I think it gives it a romantic almost vintage look. I think the B&W is too blah, and the original color one is to bright.