Road Closed: Selective Coloring

(click photo to enlarge)

I am usually not a huge fan of selective coloring. I have seen more examples of attempts gone bad than well executed finished products involving this process. I was recently viewing the website of a portrait photographer who used selective coloring in several of her works. I think I learned a few things from her portfolio.

1.) Rarely does the manipulation of a poor quality photo result in a great finished product.

2.) When used, post-processing techniques should enhance the subject of the photo, not completely distract from it.

In what appears to be a senior portrait, the photographer converted an underexposed image to black and white, and then selectively colored various items in the photo. None of the items were related to the subject or tied into a theme. In another photo, selective coloring was used to place emphasis on an article of clothing representing a particular college. The photograph looked nice, and the use of post-processing tools was handled well. The image would have made a great promotional photo for a brochure. However, my attention was diverted from the graduating senior (who in my opinion should have been the primary subject) to the college logo.

Above is my attempt. Let me know what your thoughts are on the photo, as well as your feelings about the use of selective coloring and other Photoshop techniques.

Hiding in the Flower Garden

Wildwood’s Wildfowers

(Click image to enlarge)

I haven’t had much time to spend outdoors taking pictures lately, and when I have, the weather hasn’t cooperated. I managed to make it out for a couple of hours this afternoon. Unfortunately it was extremely sunny, and I have little luck shooting in full sun, something I will need to practice more on. I have been trying to work on my DOF and achieving the muted background effect. I seemed to accomplish that in the photo above. I also really like the way the yellow centers of the flowers really stand out. My biggest complaint (which, in my opinion really hurts this photo) is the lost of color and details in the petals. The flower was mostly an extremely light shade of purple and in direct sunlight. Obviously the combination washed out a little more then I would have liked.

I would really appreciate some feedback on this, both technical and composition.

My settings were as follows:
1/550 sec. - F/6.3 - Focal length: 57mm – ISO-64 (digital)

Slight crop and minor color correction in PSP9 (in attempt to add color to ‘white’ areas)


Thanks!!