Played with Camera Software and...

[Melissa]

I like how the desaturated photo shows my DH's skintone to be more true than the Original Photo:

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/500/Original-Photo-Settings.jpg

I also used the Sharpen function in the Canon Zoom Browser, but couldn't tell that much of a difference. Maybe I didn't sharpen it enough.

I also included the settings in which the photo was originally taken. Please let me know what you think. :)

[Marriedin79]

Even if his skin was green, he'd still be a hunk! Oh, sorry, I think you wanted to know what we thought about the different photo manipulations. It's amazing how photos almost always look great SOOC (straight out of camera) but then when some editing is applied they look even better. That's true in this case. Great job ... looks like you're really enjoying learning how to use your camera.

[Jennifer]

Do you tackle everything in your life with such vigor???!!! You could master anything you set your mind to. You work and work and work at something until you master it. YOU ROCK GIRL! You take every sugestion and run with it.

This is showing such improvement in such a short period of time. Glad you got your software working for you and enjoying the editing process.

Try learning custom white balance or playing around with different camera preset white balances to see if you can get closer to true color SOOC. I think the reason you like the desaturated image is because of the color cast of a bad white balance. Shooting in artificial light like indoors, can create that orangey cast. Try the tungsten setting indoors and compare.

I seriously can't wait for your next post, this is exciting to watch you explore, learn, and improve.

[Penny M]

Thanks for posting all of these, Melissa. I've enjoyed reading all your posts. I think you have inspired me to play around with more manual settings on my Canon XT. I just usually go with all the auto functions. What are you doing to adjust the eyes in the post processing?

[Melissa]

Thanks for posting all of these, Melissa. I've enjoyed reading all your posts. I think you have inspired me to play around with more manual settings on my Canon XT. I just usually go with all the auto functions. What are you doing to adjust the eyes in the post processing?

Hi Penny,
Thanks for your comments! For the eyes, I am doing a little trick I learned while doing Emma's Stylelift Challenge I think back in Sept....the Wish You Wells one...I am using the round Marquee tool and clicking on add to selection to select both eyes, then Unsharp Mask and playing with those settings. If you need more help with that, just let me know. I will try to write some instructions for it. :)

[CindyT]

I am enjoying seeing your posts Melissa! I just bought the canon 40d (with one year of interest free payments). I don't know the first thing about it and to be very honest I am a little afraid of it. I am working to many hours right now to even try to do anything more than the auto setting. I am following your posts and also learning from them.

[Penny M]

Thanks, Melissa, I think I can do that & play around with it some. Thanks for the instructions!