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This guy wanted a hip, fun senior photograph. And thanks to Dan Treviño of Shooting Star Photography, he is getting one.
Unfortunately the lighting was less than ideal and the original photo was kind of gray (the water, the sky, and the subject). When he sent this in, I knew just the blueprint formula to try on it.
Step 1: Ran Extreme Fill Flash from the MCP Quickie Collection – masked back parts of the water and 80% and sky at 30%. Then duplicated the Extreme Fill Flash layer a second time.
Step 2: Ran Noiseware (which can be found here).
Step 3: Ran Touch of Light/Touch of Darkness Action – painted Light on the white waves, Darkness on the blue water.
Step 4: Ran Crackle from the Quickie Collection at the default opacity.
Step 5: Ran Color Explosion to find the hidden colors in the water and sky.
Step 6: Flattened – then duplicated background and used the patch tool to get out sensor dust spots. I am not sure if you can see them on the original but they were very noticeable when viewed at 100%.
Step 7: Made a New Blank layer and added gradient sky (see sky tutorial here). The sky was not blown but it needed a little lift as it was still a little gray. Adding a blue gradient was the perfect enhancement.
Step 8: Wanted a different crop with more room to the right. So I stretched the canvas as explained in this video.
There was only one thing I did not love about this edit. The photo still has some grain since it started out underexposed and since I did so much with the color and brightening it. But as I look at it I think it still can work since many times photographers add texture to achieve this very effect. What do you think of this extreme before and after play? I would love your thoughts.
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You look B-E-A-utiful!!!
Love it, Jodi! You look natural and beautiful!
Beautiful!! Everything you did just makes the photo go from ‘average’ to fantastic! It all looks natural, just more ‘pop’. I really need to focus on learning photoshop! And of course, I’d LOVE to hear about the “secret” diet!
An action to make me look skinny(er anyway)? Um…. yes please! I find the change in the hair the most striking. You’ve inspired me to play with sharp as a tack layer more, what a difference! Lovely!
Hi Jodi!I really love this post! Amazing photo, before and after!Please, pretty please share your secret diet trick!Sheri
Yes Please! Can I have some Digital Diet for dinner?! 😀
Love the color – especially how rich and dark your hair looks! Fabulous 🙂 And I would love to learn about your digital diet trick…. amazing!!!
Gheeeezzzy Zzzzzz, stunning! And may I say, you are a beautifull lady (and mom) 🙂 – Digital Diet….Oooo yeah, please ……yes…yes!
You look wonderful!!! I love how your actions bring out those little details that make such a huge difference!
Wow! What a great transformation, subtle yet stunning!
LOVE to know the secret!! Great photo-so nice to see you now and again! Now we really see where your girls got their beautiful dark eyes!
You look so great Jodi! Oh, and by the way, I just got carded at Red Robin a few weeks ago and I am 38! Apparently they card 39 and under! LOL! Love how you used all of the actions.
Digital diet ???? No that is a diet I can stick with 🙂 Yes please, I would to try that diet … BTW you look beautiful, not 37 that is for sure !!!
Thanks for all the great info! Love the picture! Your eyes sparkle and I know its not from an action! Please share the digital diet! We’d love to know! p.s. Not that my one little voice makes a huge statement, but I try to spread the word of your blog any chance I get! I love it and I learn so much! Thank you!
Beautiful! I just love your posts! This was was no exception, so lovely! Digital Diet…so cute, and yes, that would be fun to learn!!
wow, you look fabulous – with and without photoshop! 😀 really love these blueprints! darn it, now i want to buy your eye doctor action too! and yes, need to know your digital diet secret!!
Love the picture!!!! I love how the actions make you stand out so much!!!! Diet action, who wouldn’t be interested!!! LOL
GORGEOUS! Yes, reveal the digital diet trick!!
Since so many of you are interested, I have made a video to teach you how to lose 10 pounds in one minute with photoshop. Check back Tuesday to see it!Now anybody know the secret to slimming in real life short of lipo, bariatric surgery, or eat smart and exercise more :)Speaking of which, it is suppose to be almost 70 today. I think I better get out there on my bike or go for a nice long walk. And that means I have to get off the computer. Maybe photoshop is to blame for my extra pounds too (LOL) since I sit at the desk not moving…Anyway – check back next week to learn this EASY secret!Jodi
you are beautiful Jodi! And, really…you do NOT look your 37 years!!! and ummmm, I don’t know if I can stand waiting until Tuesday to see this video!!!
I think you are gorgeous!!
Nice job Jodi! Especially love the change in your hair…never thought of that!! Smart transformation…subtle and natural yet it packs a nice punch. Oh…and who in their right mind wouldn’t want the “secret” to your Digital Diet???? :o)
Love the photo, it’s tough to put yourself in front of the camera sometimes. BTW – I’m a big fan of the “secret slimming trick”. I use it on almost every self portrait – LOL!!
DIGITAL DIET??? I need that PRONTO! Ha! Great before and after!!! Really like the eyes and lips improvements. : )
With a digital diet, I won’t worry about my real diet! Thanks for the excuse, Jodi.
I would love the learn the digital diet! I always have clients ask if I can make them thinner, and I hate it!
you soooo pretty!!!
Wow that’s quite an improvement… uh not “you” but the picture itself, you are very beautiful in both pictures!! I’d love to hear about the digital diet 🙂
Amazing. Your before is great, but your after is fabulous! And yes, I’m very interested in Digital Diet! Love these Blueprints, BTW.
I love that you did this! I’m always wondering when to choose what action for what?! I would love to see more of these “walkthroughs” to help me learn how and when to combine which actions. Thank you for taking the time to do this! It was very helpful.:) Sheila
Very pretty, I love your actions, but haven’t purchased any yet. I would love the diet one for myself in pictures!
Sheila – I am doing Blueprints every friday now 🙂 So check back.
WOW!!! What can I say? The pop in the hair and eyes is AWESOME!!! Sooooooooo natural-looking!And who WOULDN”T want a Digital Diet?????
You look great! Love the digital diet idea. Can’t wait!
I definitely want to know the digital diet secret. 😀
haha – who’s NOT interested in a digital diet!!! 🙂 Too bad it only works on photographs!
Jodi, Thank you for telling us exactly what you do with which action…it really helps! Great photo of you! And I am very interested in the digital diet action!
OOOhhhh! very interested in a digital diet 🙂
i think your natural lip color displays more beauty!
I am always on one kind of diet or other, I might as well be on a digital one also:) Thanks for the blueprint:)
You are gorgeous and this is a terrific blueprint, before and after.
I actually like the color of your lips in the before picture better, but love the vibrancy and lightness of the touched up photo. The skin doctor may have to be added to my arsenal, along with some classes on touch ups!! The tutorial on digital diet would definitely interest me!! (actually any tutorials you post here are fabulous!) Thanks 🙂
hello beautiful photoshop queen!your blog is sooooooo valuable!! we are blessed to have you!!!
Great job & thanks for the great explanation! I would be SO VERY interested in the “Digital Diet”!! I’m on a real diet but until it works….I’ve also had customers ask if I could shave off some pounds when I do family pix…
digital diet…..count me in!!!
Awesome … now I see where your girls get their eyes! PLEASE teach us the digital diet!
I live the photo and the adjustments you made. Actually, the crop probably did more for your photo than anything else. I would be VERY interested in learning the “digitial diet” technique!
thanks for sharing jodi. your processing looks lovely and natural. would love to learn how to do the ‘digital diet’- please do share!!
Digital Diet . . . are ya kidding me. . . LOVE the sound of that! Please share!
I want to know how to do a digital diet- it may be the only diet I will ever stick to
Love the after shot, not to say that your before isn’t beautiful too! Sometimes I wish I had all the professional goodies. I use Elements 7.0 and just can’t find it in my budget with 4 small kids to do PS or Lightroom. But I long for ACTIONS….want them….dream about them….SIGHjuliewww.homeschoolblogger.com/juliestew
A-dorable! and anything that has to do with a secret or easy diet- I’m all over- count me in on the want to see the latest and greatest from MCP!!!! 🙂
You are so cute! Yes please show us the digital diet! I need to learn how to use the liquify tool more effectively. 😉