[robbo]

This is a candid shot of my son waiting for the New Year. He was worn out and just wanted his sparkling grape juice. It was a very dark photo and I would like your opinion as to how it looks now and what you might further correct.

[chrisa]

Looks ok for a candid shot.

As you mentioned it's fairly dark. I wonder how it would look converted to B&W ?

[Rob Barron]

I've done a mono conversion with a bit of a crop Robbo but will have to wait till later to upload it as I've hit my limit. Should be ok later tonight.

Cheers,
Rob

[robbo]

Rob,

I was working on the same thing per Chrisa's suggestion. I am still not comfortable or satisfied with my conversions. I have tried a few methods based on tutorials in Pixalo and other places. I think my lack of complete understanding of using layers and curves is hindering my output a little. Any recommendations would be welcome.

[Rob Barron]

I wasn't sure whether to post mine or not as you have now posted a mono but I thought I'd put it up anyway as it is different in tone to yours. I went for a lighter approach to it, maybe a shade too light, not sure. I wanted the freckles to be clearly evident without over-emphasising them and I also wanted to brighten the eyes a bit. My crop is much the same as yours but I cloned out the blurred distant hand in the top right dark area to avoid it being distracting.

Two different versions of the same shot, not trying to claim mine is better, only that the change in tone does make it an entirely different shot really

Cheers,
Rob

[Loafer]

I really like the original colour shot. I like the fact that he is not looking at the camera and I like the fact that its dark. All ties in with your picture title as far as I am concerned.. the monotone shots do nothing for me if I am honest. The freckles against the blue eyes. Very striking.
The only things that let the photo down are the hand in the background whatever is in the bottom left corner of the pic. Rob did a great job of cloning that out though

[robbo]

I actually messed with it some more and found a happy medium between your's and mine. I am going to go back and clone out the hand as well. I am going to try to do the same with the color version as well. I appreciate your pimp and advice.

[j sotelo]

here my version all i did was unsharp mask and a little color corection

[robbo]

OH, I like that. Since I am just realizing how far out of reach the capabilities of photo software is from my current skill set, can you help me better understand unsharp mask? I have it in GIMP, but I am unsure as to why I would use it and what it does.

[j sotelo]

Robbo, I just wrote this using your picture hope it explains it .

UnSharp Mask Filter

Hope it helps you..

[robbo]

Thanks for taking the time Sotelo. I will surely mess around with that tonight. And MB, again I thank you for the advice. A photography and software lesson in one post... pot of gold!

[chrisa]

I like both of the B&W shots. Done on here - both have there appeal. I would agree that cloning out the thing in the background improves the shot.