Yes or no?

[Ash]

A quick and shameless plug to check out my gallery, link is in the signature.

Anyways. I know my photoshop skills aren't up to scratch lately, but please please please.... I know the image isn't great, but it DOES look better after being edited doesnt it???

Don't slag it off too bad but your opinions on whether you prefer the 'rough' look of the original, or the edited version would be appreciated.

 

[jcee]

I definitely prefer the touched up version. Nice job! I don't think there's any problem with retouching out something you didn't intend to have in the photograph.

 

[Fred]

The scratch removal is good, a slight crop on the sides might help to change to portrait or square aspect might work. Recon a twiddle with levels would improve the 'punch' a tad.
Good effort though, nice one Ash.

 

[Ash]

Thanks for the comments, and good to hear from you Tony

Here's a square version, second one with more contrast - I was afraid I'd blow the highlights there though. I'm also a bit iffy about cropping.

 

[Ash]

Oh also thats the Industar-50 collapsible. I love that lens, but it could do with being more contrasty - has lovely bokeh I thought.

 

[w3rk5]

I like the square one with high contrast best. I think you did a great job Ash. The crop focuses my attention on your subject and the extra contrast really made it "pop".

Good call Tony.

 

[zuikologist]

IMHO square format seems better to me, without the distracting edge details and looks like a strong composition now. The higher contrast version also seems better.

 

[Ash]

Fair enough! I had the original in my RFF gallery but I'll change the image file in a moment. Thanks for all the feedback

 

[Fred]

I definitely prefer the crop with the deeper contrast, the OOF areas work much better for me also. The position of the models armes are also interesting almost forming a number eleven that I'd mot noticed before. Well done Ash.

Just s note, with the exception of the scatch you'd be able to get a similar result in the dark room and using a higher grade filter.

 

[Ash]

Hmmm yea, but I guess I'd prefer to actually do it in the darkroom rather than rely on digital effects. I'm trying to hold onto that purist attitude or else all my photo's will look like they're made for a photoshop tutorial!

 

[T_om]

Here is my take on it. The subject matter lends itself to a bit "edgier" high contrast rendition and I like a square crop.

Tom

 

[Ash]

hmm yea I was afraid of losing the tonal scale with something so contrasty. I have been using Pan F+ 50 to grab as much tone as possible.. Maybe I haven't struck the right balance to get that contrast without topping/bottoming out as much as your version T_om

 

[Toby]

I don't want to disrupt an RFF love in but.... For one thing there are several dust spots that need to be removed with the clone stamp (if your using photoshop or elements). Secondly nothing in this picture is truly in focus. I don't want to be negative or overly critical, but for me, sharpness is critical to a picture like this, for me bokeh only works against a very sharp subject. I think the basic idea and composition is sound but a little more technical finesse is required both in shooting and in post production. I am confident that you have it in you to produce better images.

 

[Ash]

Criticism noted, but as with a lot of results with this lens, the focus is on the soft side. And yes the neg has a lot of dust and damage, but I did not want to overly process it, regardless of the number of dust spots - these are only 'fun' photo's and nothing is meant to be overly professional about them

 

[Todd.Hanz]

It's not a bad image as is but could benefit from some added contrast and a bit more sharpness, a slight crop gives him something to look into and offsets the subject for a bit more interest. I agree about the need for more sharpness for someone wearing spiked wrist bling-bling

Todd

I hope you don't mind my attempt here: