Okay, so thanks to Mae and everyone's suggestions yesterday, I practiced a little with LR. Here are some of my first efforts with the original photos on the left and what I've edited on the right. These are just screen shots, so they are not super clear.
Thoughts/tips/suggestions? Sometimes I go back and forth between thinking I've done too much and it looks fake, but then adjusting and thinking it's not enough of a difference. Be honest--if it's too much, tell me! =)
pineapple / 12053 posts
Top one looks good although you could make it a little cooler (add blue on the temperature)
The bottom 3 I would increase exposure some more. They are still a bit dark.
pineapple / 12053 posts
yeah! things to keep it simple for LR adjustments: go for the major four things: white point (make sure there are highlights, not all dark like the original photo), black point (make sure there are shadows, but detail in the shadows (see how your shirt looks totally dark in the original?), white balance (that's temperature and tint and definitely takes practice nailing this!) and then midtones (this is everything between the shadows and highlights!).
If you stick with exposure, blacks, white balance (temperature and tint), and then brightness, then you can get really good results without messing with all those other sliders. once you start diving into those others, it can get really convoluted and confusing for a beginner!
GOLD / papaya / 10166 posts
I think that looks great, but then again, I'm a novice at editing pictures 
eggplant / 11716 posts
@birdofafeather: yup, yesterday I mainly dodged us in the photos and didn't mess with the backgrounds a lot. And then I also adjusted the exposure and the vibrance just on the subjects. So just now I went back in and adjusted the exposure on the backgrounds as well. I don't mind them looking like dusk shots, but I do think it looks better with everything being a bit brighter.
pineapple / 12053 posts
@Anagram: you can still tell it's dusk, but you can actually see you and LO!
eggplant / 11716 posts
This is the other one that I just dodged us yesterday but just now changed the exposure for the whole picture. But now the dodging looks a bit weird.
hostess / papaya / 10540 posts
I haven't played around with LR yet, but this is a great thread full of pointers. Thanks!
eggplant / 11716 posts
@birdofafeather: Thanks for the help! We had a really good photographer for our engagement photos, so we wanted to go back to the same park and take our own pics to save money but try to recreate a few of the pictures on our anniversary with LO.
It's hard though! We got to the park late and it was practically dark. =)
eggplant / 11716 posts
@BabyBoecksMom: Thanks!
@birdofafeather: Now that I see them together, I do feel like the last picture is too "cool" because it was almost dark. BOO. work in progress.
pineapple / 12053 posts
@Anagram: a bit, but remember, it probably looked close to that! you don't want it to be as warm and bright as the engagement photo above!
| Today | Monthly Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | 0 | 0 |
| Posts | 1 | 0 |
Ask for Help
Make a Suggestion
Frequently Asked Questions
Bee Levels
Acronyms
Most Viewed Posts
Hellobee Gold
Hellobee Recipes
Hellobee Features
Hellobee Contests
Baby-led Weaning
Bento Boxes
Breastfeeding
Newborn Essentials
Parties
Postpartum Care Essentials
Sensory Play Activities
Sleep Training
Starting Solids Gear
Transitioning to Toddler Bed
All Series
Who We Are
About the Bloggers
About the Hostesses
Contributing Bloggers
Apply to Blog
Apply to Hostess
Submit a Guest Blog
Hellobee Buttons
How We Make Money
Community Policies
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
13 comments