The Ballerina

[WingAnimal]

Ok... honestly... tell me what you think. I got this affect by use of the camera. I knew that the lighting was way too low, but I was hoping that I could get something from it. It turned out rather artistic. I did some minor cleanup in PSE, and of course brightened it up which is how I got the affect (with lots of noise). Anyway, what do you all think? It's hard to be objective from my standpoint.

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/gallery/view_img.php?id=5034

[karen donnybrook]

Norm, I like it. I think the noise add something to the image making it look . . . kind of ghost-like. Well done :)

[vawitt]

I like it! I think the noise adds something a little surreal to the finished picture.

~Val in IL

[Robyn]

Norm,
I like it very much. It brings to mind some of Renoir's paintings.

[Carbone]

That is exactly what I meant yesterday when I talked about noise, and when it was desirable. It adds texture, dimension to a picture! Good one :)

Ray

[kayser]

I like it! It looks like something you might have tried to achieve. Could be a painting on the wall.

[Carbone]

Took the liberty of turning it Sepia... I think it's good..

http://homepage.mac.com/carbmac/captures/5047_version_2.jpg

Ray

[WingAnimal]

Thanks everyone. I took 90 pictures at the dress rehearsal friday night. I'm still working on the others. This is the one that I wanted to turn out the most, just because I could see it in my head even as I was taking it. The pose is priceless (the ballerina in the wings getting ready to go on stage) - and of course, I'm a bit biased with that princess being my sweet daughter. The lighting was horrible and I couldn't use a flash, so I was hoping that PSE would allow something to come of it. I was excited to see the results, although the "perfectionist" in me is never satisfied. That's why I have to ask all of you. I cherish your honest opinions. Thanks!!!

[NMarti]

Ray
I really like it in sepia. Very neat effect!

[Carbone]

Thanks Nancy. I think the Sepia kind of freezes time, like the Balerina is suspended in her thoughts...

(it's late, I should stop babling.. !)

Ray

[WingAnimal]

Ray - Like this? I didn't go straight sepia -- but slightly different.
http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/gallery/view_img.php?id=5036

[Carbone]

I think it's much better (my humble opinion, that is, ymmv !!). Removing the colour really adds something, as funny as it sounds. It keeps the grainy texture, but reduces the "digital" effect.

Good job!

Ray

[Shari]

Norm - I really like it. It is like a beautiful painting that should be framed and hung on the wall.
Shari

[Wendy]

Norm ...

I really like your image ... the colour one reminds me of a Degas painting. My view is print it and frame it !! :)

Wendy

[jo]

You captured a wonderful pose, and the noise (for a change) adds to the beauty of it.

[virgo1]

Norm,
It is lovely. It captures a moment and holds it like a painting.:)
Eva;)

[gez]

Great shot--perfect pose. The noise really sets a mood.

[Bayla]

Norm,

It's truly beautiful. Personally I prefer the colour version...it reminds me of all the ballerina pictures that Dégas did, but with more an 'Old Master' feel about. I'd print it out and frame it with a big ornate frame, hang it on my wall and ogle!

Bayla

[shnupita]

I liked it a lot.. I think I like the Black and White better.... it looks like an antique picture.. and loved the brightness of the shoes in it..

Good Work!!

Congrats!

[Willow]

I like 'em both, but if I could only choose one it would be the colour one.
Di:p

[BarbG]

Great photo. I loved the colored one the best. Anyone would love to have it hanging on their wall, being able to look at it every day. I am looking forward to seeing more.

[DCshooter]

Nice use of a 'lemon' situation - you got something creatively because you were forced by conditions - nice. I am envious of your Mt. Ranier - we were there last summer and our flight had a view of Ranier but yours is awesome!!
Paul

[WingAnimal]

Thank you everyone for your comments. I am torn between the color and the black and white. I think I am leaning towards the color myself. I reduced the intensity of the color just a tad and sent it off to be printed. I'll let you all know how it turns out and then show you the final that I settle on. I should get the print today (right before I get a crown put on my tooth - ugh!).

[Pauline]

Norm, I like the colour one best. It reminds me of an artsy poster rather than a photograph. I love the look. Some times it's nice to have something a little different. :)

[jazzfisher]

Norm,
Wonderful shot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know how you feel about shooting in the dark in a theater! for sure--Not necessarily for this photo, but sometimes I use a free program http://www.imagenomic.com/ to get rid of excess noise that I can't get PSE to do (that's just me maybe).
So I tried it on your orginial ballerina (I also reduced a bit of the yellow-& took some color out) http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1GkJyDRZwAozZsHrzC4TLTc73cK2k
Just for an example...

[WingAnimal]

Thank you everyone for giving me the encouragement to fine-tune this picture. Jazzfisher (Sherry) - thanks for telling me about that program, it helped clean up the little bit of noise that I wanted to get rid of to make it look "right". The final is in my gallery.

[jazzfisher]

Norm,
It's beautiful, you should be very proud of it (& your daughter)


Glad that works for you!!! I use it alot (cause I take a lot of concert/theater settings where you can't use your flash.)
You can call me Sherry....:D

[WingAnimal]

Thanks Sherry! I am proud of both. I have another picture that came out very clean from the actual performance while on stage. I'm working on that one right now - trying to decide what I'm going to do with it. I'll share that one when I get done. I was just really excited to get this particular shot (the pose, the affect, etc). For some reason, I had this picture lined up in my mind long before I ever took it.

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/gallery/view_img.php?id=5094

[Wendy]

Norm ...

Your final version looks just great ... its one of those images that it totally memorable !! :)

Wendy

[Carbone]

I second that !!! It is so good !!!

Ray

[WingAnimal]

Thanks Wendy and Ray! That means a lot coming from both of you!!!! I have to admit, I'm starting to accept that I may have done an okay job on this pic. I'm always so critical of my own work. My dad keeps saying I should enter some of my pieces in the State Fair. I don't know.

[jazzfisher]

Norm,
Go for it!! What do you have to lose????
The guy at the photo shop told me I should enter mine here too.

[CarolLHB]

Norm,

I definitely agree with Sherry-lovely photos!:)

[jazzfisher]

Norm (sorry evertime I write your name I have to yell it like at Cheers):D
Anyway, I wanted to do something similar to the other photo of one of your daugters--the one where she is in color w/sax & the rest is b&w. Did you follow a tut or just did a selection, do layers etc (that would seem to be the most straight forward way) or was there something else involved? Thanks in advance.

[WingAnimal]

Sherry -- Believe it or not, that's the same daughter (ballerina, jazz band, piano - she never stops - and I'm dead tired :D ). Anyway, if I remember correctly, I made her a separate layer and then changed the main picture to B&W while keeping that layer color. I liked doing it that way because it gave me the freedom to do other things if I wanted to - like, I could have used blur on the background or even faded it a bit, or anything without affecting her. Same thing with affects to her - I could make changes to her and not change anything to the background. Very flexible that way.

Hey Wendy -- I gave my first hint to someone else.... I feel like I'm a welcomed part of PSE society now. But if I don't leave right now, I'm going to be late picking up my princess from jazz band. :eek:

[CarolLHB]

OMG Sherry-LMAO:eek::eek: I do the exact same thing-NORM!!!!!!!!!!

Norm-you are the man now! I feel your pain...my 17 year old: drum and bugle corps, marching band, concert band, jazz band, pit band, percussion ensemble...I need to rent an apartment downtown across the street from the high school:D

[jazzfisher]

Carol
And Cliff!!!:)