Before and After...

It happens to be Thursday!
Already.
Time for another before and after photo party.

This week I thought I'd leave my textures in their file.
Shhh...don't tell them.
I sort of use them like a crutch.
Without them, just call me "limpy".
I don't do a lot of actual "editing" on the photos of my kids.
I usually just adjust levels, and do a little layer blending and sharpening.
I feel like their little faces just don't NEED a lot.
But I am a bit biased.
Portrait editing is just a tad time consuming.
So I don't do it a lot.
This week I thought I would give it a try.
I emphasize "try".
My favorite portrait model is S-girl.
She loves having her picture taken.
She is quite the "poser".


Here is the before.
Isn't she a doll?
Please, could someone get her some lotion?
Obviously her mother is oblivious to her dry skin issues!




Here is the after.
It is a tad dramatic for my taste.
In fact, it sort of scares me.
It looks as if she is not thrilled about the lack of lotion.
But there is another reason why it scares me.
We are not letting her out of our sight until she's 23!
Wowzers!

Visit Pixel Perfect for more before and after photos.

**This picture was edited in Photoshop Elements.
1. Adjusted levels to brighten the picture
2. Used a new sharpening technique that I learned from an Elements book I got from the library.
3. Cropped to straighten.
4. Used Coffeeshop's Baby powder room adjustments.
5. Then added a duplicate layer and changed the blending mode to screen and lowered the opacity to taste.
6. Converted to black and white and added a slight vignette.

And all of this only took about 20 minutes. Thanks to The Coffeeshop!

p.s. After visiting Monica's site today I was surprised to see that there had been a vote last week! Yes, I'm a real blonde. It was a crazy week/weekend for me. I had written my post the night before and quickly linked it up the next day. I am sorry to say, I didn't read Monica's post thoroughly. Yes...once again, bad blog manners! It was spring break and the day was so full! Anway, thanks so much for your votes. You all are too kind. I'm just learning like the rest of you!