Portrait Artist Forum    

Go Back   Portrait Artist Forum > Composition
FAQ Community Calendar Today's Posts Search


 
 
Topic Tools Search this Topic Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
Old 02-14-2008, 10:50 AM   #17
Michele Rushworth Michele Rushworth is offline
CAFE & BUSINESS MODERATOR
SOG Member
FT Professional
 
Michele Rushworth's Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 3,460
In this business, color correcting photos yourself is an essential capability, I think. (Unless you have the rare luxury of working from life for all of your commissons!)

I would get the negative (or a large print if you can't find someone who will work with the neg) digitally scanned. Then bring it into Photoshop and play around with color curves, levels, color balance, etc. I color correct or darken/lighten all or part of the images that I use on just about every portrait I have ever done. The photo is never sufficient in itself, and changing to be exactly what I want it is part of the creative process, whether I shot the photo or not.

Working with a photo lab can be immensely frustrating, time consuming, expensive and not give you anywhere near the control you need. Photoshop is pricey but you might be able to get a student price. Photo printers cost less than $100. The ink is expensive over time, though.

But the creative control you get by being able to make the reference into exactly what you want, at your desk, with your desktop photo printer, at any time of day or night, is so worthwhile.
__________________
Michele Rushworth
www.michelerushworth.com
[email protected]
  Reply With Quote
 


Currently Active Users Viewing this Topic: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Topics
Thread Topic Starter Forum Replies Last Post
First Oil Commission Ready to Deliver Patricia Joyce Portrait Unveilings, All Medium- Moderators: A. Tyng & C. Saper 11 03-24-2005 10:18 AM
Oil Commission Lon Haverly Oil Critiques 5 07-02-2003 05:25 PM
That Old Sinkin' Feeling Clive Fullagar Techniques, Tips, and Tools 14 02-07-2003 12:09 AM
Annie (Oil Commission) Linda Brandon Portrait Unveilings, All Medium- Moderators: A. Tyng & C. Saper 11 01-23-2003 04:35 PM
A No-lead Maroger medium? Karin Wells Paints, Mediums, Brushes & Grounds 38 04-30-2002 11:48 PM

 

Make a Donation



Support the Forum by making a donation or ordering on Amazon through our search or book links..







All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:43 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.6
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.