Manila, 2009
I'm not even sure if i spelled that one right. But i basically had some "technical" issues with how i shot this one. There was some sort of discoloration across the face that becomes more apparent in weak lighting conditions. i took this one ISO100, btw, so it's not quite noise but just your average splotchy skin type. and high res cams just seem to really pick up on every unflattering detail.
Anyway, I liked the composition so I thought it was worth taking a different tack on this in PS. My first time to do this. i've seen better hi key photos but this seemed to work... at least better than the original.
I worked with two layers here that basically involved overexposing the top layer that just left hair and maybe a bit of eye detail. and then adjusting the brightness level of the other at something like +50.
Then with a mask, I used a brush with 10% opacity and clicked ever so slightly on the areas that I wanted detail to come out. The nose part was tricky as I had to imagine where it was in the overexposed layer to draw out its outline without overdoing it to include unwanted discolored detail.
A bit of dodging was done after I flattened the layer to clean the face up a bit.
I have some minor nitpick with the blurred ear and black hair on that part of the image but it's the best that I could do given the situation.
i remember a friend of mine saying that shooting hi key makes for flattering subjects and the girls will love you for it. hahaha!!!
cheers.
