Improving this photo

[elwoodsusanm]

What can I do to make this photo look better? There are some lines on the face. This is a snapshot taken from a video but I like it and would like to make a decent photo from it. I have PSE5:confused:

[Wendy]

Hi ...

Its really tiny ... is the original larger than that ?

If it is then I would try posting in at a larger size on Pixentral ... it would make it easier to work with :)

Wendy

[Juergen D]

I got the lines out by duplicating the background layer, setting the duplicate to 50% opacity and then moving it down by one pixel. Applied a very light Gaussian Blur (0.3), increased the contrast. Next I went back an sharpened very lightly >Adjust Sharpness >Remove Motion Blur. To the result of that I applied a Dreamy Filter.

Juergen

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1HxWd0ZDU5IzrUV2rF1jalQVnIdkO91_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1HxWd0ZDU5IzrUV2rF1jalQVnIdkO91)

[elwoodsusanm]

That looks much better:) Where can I get a 'dreamy' filter please?:)

[Juergen D]

I am using an older demo version of Dream Suite(1) from Auto FX Software.

Juergen

[elwoodsusanm]

Just having a go with this now. When you say move down by one pixel, what exactly do you mean?:confused:

[Juergen D]

You have two layers, the Background and the Duplicate. The duplicate is on top. Make it active. Set its opacity of 50%. Select the Move Tool and press the down arrow key once (possibly two or three times).
When the result looks less lined, merge the two layers and continue editing on the image, such as adding contrast.

Juergen

[elwoodsusanm]

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1JqhrFFJhYXvlgvW8JsihhzaPpLKCt_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1JqhrFFJhYXvlgvW8JsihhzaPpLKCt)

I have followed your instructions ( I think). I have also used impressionist brush to fudge the edges and decided to texturise - canvas - to hide imperfections. I think it works quite well. I have printed it off and I am pleased with it - considering it's just a snap from a 14 year old video!:)

[Juergen D]

I really like it! Now that you have gotten this far, I would suggest to crop the sides in some and carry the wall paneling out, to hide the server and the person on the right. The cropped image will be in portrait mode. You'll have to do a little cloning around her arm, but it should be doable.

Juergen