Modoga Photography

Year One In the Photo Program.

2011-07-03T16:49:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure if those of you who read this blog also follow me on Facebook. Either way it's been quiet for a while on both sites and I promised I'd share more experiences from the major on here. I finished up my first semester and first year (?) in the photography program in April! We submitted our final portfolios and awaited anxiously for our grades. My fellow photographers and I have a group on Facebook so the second we got grades we instantly got curious as to what the highest grade awarded was. Not surprisingly, there was no A awarded. Ooooooh Paul!!

Anywho, here are the scanned versions of my final portfolio and a few extra goodies! Please forgive the terrible quality. I have no clue how to prevent the scanner from blowing out whites and turning some whites yellow =P!

Things I learned in my very first course of my major:

- I love this major more than life itself! I'm so freaking happy I got in!!

- I'm a super dedicated person! At one point I was spending 80% of my days on campus to finish up projects so they were as close to perfect as humanly possible. I also went through about 2.5 packs of 100 paper (which cost $80 a pop! Yeah. It hurt my wallet).

- Darkrooms are soooo freaking fun!!

- Developing prints feels like being a magician.

- Sepia may be cool in the digital world, but in the darkroom it's the stinkiest process EVER!! Think 7 year rotten eggs + The Great Salt Lake on the hottest day = Sepia toning.

- I'm kind of a one trick pony with my photos. I definitely need to get out of my comfort zones.

- My professor said, at the review of my final portfolio, that I was a one audience type of photographer. I appeal to girls and that's it. I don't know if that's a bad thing since that's the kind of place I'm aiming for, but like I said with my last note, I think I could explore a little further.

- I made a ton of amazing friends and I'm so excited to go through this major with them and see them grow.

Obviously I've learned a ton more but it's been a few months and I'm a little pre-occupied in my brain . . . and well . . . other bodily regions . . . (Tummy: "Me want fooood!"). Maybe one of these days I'll go through my extensive notes (which I love to go back through and look at ^__^) and share some things from them!

Hope you all have a fabulous holiday weekend!

Hearts,
Becks.

P.S. I have a Facebook Fan Page! I update it a little more often than this, so join me over there!

My Thoughts.

2011-07-03T16:12:00.000-07:00

I know my mother would freak out at the sight of my last photo shoot and to be honest, even I feel a bit conflicted about it. I view the human body as sacred due to religious and personal beliefs, but I think because of my experience in dance I've come to see it as something so incredibly beautiful that to hide it would be a complete shame.

I once had a conversation with my mother about artistic nudity in photography. I talked about my desire to explore artistic nudity with dance movement and she expressed her concern about my choice. I argued that we see nude statues and call them art but when we see an artistic nude photograph, it's considered porn. I think that, if done tastefully, a photograph of a person without clothing is not porn but art. My mother believes that if something is sacred that it should be respected and showing it off to the entire world is not something she sees as respectful. Another good point she made is that even if your intention was not to make it erotic, that people's sex drives will do what they will and your good intentions can be warped into something entirely different.

So I sit here conflicted about my choice to photograph a model with her bra showing and even just in the bra. I think the photos are gorgeous and even something you'd see in a magazine ad, but I do feel a tinge of guilt for how my mother might react.

What are your thoughts? What constitutes porn vs. artistic nude? Are photos in fashion considered artistic enough to not be considered "soft (or even normal) porn"? Why do you think we consider a marble statue art while photographs of a nude model are porn? And really, are these photos any worse than previous photos of mine where the model has bare shoulders? (okay that last one seemed like I wanted someone to justify my choices hahaha! Can't you just see my conflicting thoughts attacking each other?!)

Hearts,
Becks.

P.S. More photos from this shoot on my Facebook Fan Page. Feel free to like it while you're there!

I'm A Little Bit Ridiculous.

2011-02-13T19:44:00.000-08:00

So it's been a while since I've updated this blog with news of my progress in the photography program. Please forgive my sin.

My photography class' next assignment due is portraiture. The last time I did this assignment with this very same professor I did a photo that wasn't portraiture, but rather a fashion ad, and let's just say that the professor wasn't open to ads. Naturally, when he assigned portraiture again, I froze up and decided that I was going to do terribly at it.

What's the difference between a portrait and an image of a person in an ad, you might ask? Well, a portrait is saying something about who that person is while an ad is selling you something. I am very much a set-the-scene-up and pose-the-crap-out-of-your-model type. Nothing in my photos is genuinely about the model's personality. I really do want to learn how to take telling and deeply impacting portraits so I'm happy that I failed the first time around. Now I know what a portrait REALLY is!

Unfortunately I lack the guts to ask people to experiment with me. I had a few ideas of people that I wanted to take portraits of but then I clammed up because I thought, "What if it doesn't work out?" I was also very scared of taking a giant chunk of these busy people's time. In the end I just screwed myself over. If I don't start practicing now I'm never going to grow as a photographer! What I really need is someone to constantly tell me that failing is okay and that if we don't fail we don't grow.

Anywho, I ended up taking some personal photos of my friend Lyns the same day we took my high key assignment images. It was a really natural and chill shoot and I loved it. Then, as I was printing the images, it suddenly dawned on me that these images were totally portraits of Lyns. She may have been posing in a few of them but they were totally telling of a different side of this model, not to mention there were a few candid shots. She would be sitting waiting for me to adjust my camera and I'd look through the lens and say, "Oh my gosh stay there!!!"

The result of the shoot? I got the quieter, more natural and soft side to the lively girl who usually has an arsenal of glamorous/awesome poses!

My conclusion: I'm going to try and do more portrait shots of people around me, but I'm going to try and steer clear of my control freakism. I'm just going to let the posing and facial expressions come naturally.

My second conclusion: My mom made me put up a sign in my room where I could read it every day. She told me to write, "I will not let my doubts stop me!" If you are struggling with letting yourself fail or take risks, join me in letting go of control and just go with the punches (well they are more of adventures really) of life!!

Heart,
Becks.

P.S. Even though I'm only taking one photography class at the moment I'm in complete love with my major!! It is definitely one of the best things that has ever happened to me!!

Happy Happy Joy Joy!! (Lengthy)

2010-12-10T21:47:00.000-08:00

December 8th I woke up with 5 hours of sleep under my belt, got ready for class, spent about a half hour looking for my house key, and then arrived late to class with only half of my assignment done. I hurried to put together a portfolio out of mat board, since the bookstore had run out of actual portfolios, and mounted 2 images on foam core to get extra credit. That made me late to my other class in which we were having a potluck final. I hadn't been able to finish the paper that was due the class period before but I was able to do my final (explain why I brought Chocolate Covered Cinnamon Bears to the potluck), and eat some great food! I was then off to study for my sewing practical exam. I would have to put together an article of clothing from memory alone. I hadn't studied for it because I was too busy being sick and finishing my other classes assignments. 2 hours later, I came home worn out. Luckily there was an e-mail in my Inbox that would cheer me up!

That's right. They had finished reviewing our photography applications! Unfortunately it was around 6PM at night and the office was already closed. I texted my sister and asked if she would be there with me when I opened it. I would need someone to squeeze to death if I got in or someone to cry all over if I didn't. She agreed. That night was one of the harder nights to fall asleep. My mind kept prepping myself for a rejection. It seemed like the best thing to do, but secretly in the back of my mind I was calm and somehow I had a confidence that I would get in. My mother, ever the realist, sent me messages saying that if I was rejected that it was not the end of the world and that there were several other options to take to get to my goal. I'm glad she said that, because it's true!

Anywho, I went to sleep around 2AM and woke up the next morning around 7AM. I texted my sister to see if she was still willing to go with me when her hubby had left for work. She called me and said that I would have to wait till around 9AM so that her baby could get fed. I tried to go back to sleep but decided to just shower and get ready since I had a class at 11AM that I had to attend. Finally 9AM rolled around and my sister came to drive me. I was shaking the entire car ride, the entire walk to the office, and especially the walk back to the car. I called up my mom and my little sister who had helped do hair and makeup for my shoots and then I opened up my letter with weak, shaking hands. All I read was "Congratulations" and the rest was slew of happy sighs, a few screams that might've scared my niece to death, and a lot of thank you's to everyone and no one at the same time. Looking back on it I acted similar to a beauty queen being crowned . . . except for the part where I didn't get a crown and I didn't get to wave/blow kisses to a giant audience.

Note: I didn't wear mascara because I was preparing

myself for a long hard cry. I'm a thinker =).

Also, yes that is a hair tie with my key attached to it.

I really am bad at losing that key.

The onslaught of phone calls and texts started and continued well throughout the day. Probably the best response was my sweet grandmother. I called her up and she answered. I said, "Hey Grams it's Becky!" She responded in her slow southern drawl, "Well hello! How are you doing?" I uncontrollably beamed as I said, "I-I'm doing FANTASTIC!" She immediately gasped and said, "You got into your program didn't you?!" I asked, "How did you know?!" She responded, "Oh Becky that is STUPENDOUS!" I thought in my mind, "No Grandma, YOU are stupendous for using the word stupendous!" Hahahaha!! Then she talked about how I should just concentrate on finishing my degree and not worry about getting married. How often do you hear that from a grandma, let alone a MORMON grandma?! Ch-yeah. My family is hip.

Anywho, I'm still running off of pure adrenaline from getting into the program. It's pretty bad because I still have to finish finals next week, but just like Grams said, this Christmas is going to be one of the best Christmases I've ever had.

I actually started looking at all of the courses available and I seriously started to drool. I can't wait to get my hands dirty and stress over my awesome sauce major!

For those of you who are hoping to become photographers in the future, take my grandma's advice and don't doubt yourself. Ever. Do what I did and be stubborn. Work your little tooshie off until the very last minute so you can say that you did your best! And once you get to your goal set a new goal even higher and work hard to accomplish that. I can't wait for all of the hard work that I will be required to put forth in my future!! There are going to be so many scary moments but I'm ready for it!

I hope you'll stick around to see my progress. I'm definitely interested in seeing where I'll go from here. And don't worry. I'll share all of my tasty nuggets of wisdom learned in classes here =).

I love you all and wish you the best Holiday Season ever!

Besitos,
Becky

P.S. I'll update this with a picture of the actual letter when I get around to taking the picture =)!

Huge Sigh of Relief

2010-12-03T17:16:00.000-08:00

Welp! My application was sent in Monday night. Now I must wait 4 weeks until I find out whether or not I've made it into the photography program. In the mean time I have to finish up classes. That's right! It's every student's favorite time of the year, FINALS!! I've got myself a nice giant load of final projects to finish up and only so much time to do them all in. That is why I've decided to attempt to take a break from the internets. So far . . . it's been futile . . . but I'm really going to do it in about 10 minutes!! Before I go I know people have been curious to see the pictures I chose to include in my portfolio so here they are:

It's Official.

2010-09-16T21:27:00.000-07:00

Today I found out that BYU's Photography program will only be accepting applications once this year. That one time will be in November. I was already planning on applying in November then I was going to apply in March if I didn't get in in November. The news made me pee my panties.

This is going to be my last chance to apply to BYU's photography program!!

So! Here's the ticker: I have until November 30th at 5PM to turn in my application. I need some help sifting through my photos and picking the best ones. Would you guys be so kind as to help me?

I will be setting up either a gallery or a post on here with the photos that I think are my strongest. I have to narrow all of my photos down to the 10 BEST that will show that I am 1)Skilled in the art of photography 2) I can be molded into the world's greatest photographer and 3) I am marketable. Of course there are going to be far more things that they'll look at and I will be keeping in mind as well (composition, creativity, innovation, etc.).

Off the top of your heads, do you guys remember photos that you loved to look at? If so leave the description (or link from my FB fan page) in the comment section!!

Thanks guys!
Becks.

P.S. Here's the official blurb about what to include in the portfolio: "Submit your best work from high school and college courses, outside work, etc. in digital form only for the freshman review and print work only for the transfer and BFA review. Sequencing, variety, themes, subject choice, black and white versus color, are all less important than the overall feeling or content of your body of work. It is your handling of the subject matter that is the most important criteria in our evaluation, not the subject matter itself. Content...ideas, creativity and originality, are our priority. General design, technique, lighting, and presentation are expected and are also very important, but of a secondary nature to content. Your ability to stand out in a crowd in terms of personal ideas, expression and vision (content) are normally what really separate you, granting you access to the program. We do not need to see drawings, paintings and other creative work. Trust your own feelings with regard to selection, as everyone has their own opinions."

GAH!!

2010-08-16T16:11:00.000-07:00

I picked up my camera for the first time in two months. It felt soooo beautiful in my hands. So natural. I clicked it on and started to take a picture only to have the camera freeze. It wouldn't release the shutter. At all.

I'm distraught.

I've been avoiding purchasing a new camera body because the prices make me feel ill every time I look. Why oh why did I choose such an expensive obsession? Anyone know of a Canon 5D or 7D for sale? I'm looking for cheaper lightly used versions.

I'm hoping to do another photo session with some people here soon. Maybe I'll rent from Allen's Camera for them =).

Hope your summer is going fantabulous!
Becks.

Indie-an Summer.

2010-06-01T20:08:00.001-07:00

Is it wrong that I'm already wanting it to be "Indian Summer" time? I think it's just the jumping on crisp Autumn leaves mixed with the hot "I can do anything I wanted to do in Summer months but with an awesomely non-sweaty night" days that I'm longing for. I took some photos of an idea that I've had in my brain for a while now. My sister is in hair/makeup school so I made her help me out. I think she didn't mind too much since she got 2 new dresses from the deal!! Oh how would it be to be paid in cute dresses?! *daydream*

*achem*

Sorry. Photos. Right. Here you go.

And just because I love you and, well, I really really liked this model, I'm going to give you something my Korean religion teacher liked to call "Special Bonus!"

Besitos!

Becks.

Where is my Mind?

2010-05-10T14:26:00.000-07:00

Note to Self: Do not go to class without having eaten lunch. You will space like a mofo. You will also be shown important information (like questions that will actually be on your test) and you will just look at the words and not comprehend them. And when other classmates answer the questions like pro's you will just sit there with your mouth wide open and your eyes in a daze. You will forget the answers they said. You will sit and wonder for hours after what those questions were in the first place and forget what it was you were supposed to study.

*sigh*

I don't even know if that made any sense. My brain is like an egg. And you all need to go listen to The Pixies now. Suckers. Don't worry. I did it to myself too.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

2010-05-09T17:26:00.000-07:00

I would like to take this moment to satisfy/thank 3 generations of mothers in my family.

First, my grandmother. I love you grandma! Thanks for always giving me boosts of confidence on the phone and for taking care of me when I was younger. I love you so much!!

Second, my mother. You have influenced me my entire life. I'm so happy that I can say a majority of it was in the positive sense. You teach me a lot about myself. You are this family's light house in turbulent storms. You are the glue that keeps us together. I'm proud to say that you're my mother!

Second point 5, Mommer. Although you're not technically directly related to me, I feel like I know you really well from all the stories Jen and Aaron tell as well as when you come to visit. From what I know and have heard? I love you!! You are such an awesome woman! My present goes out to you as well.

Third, my sister. A "new" mother! And yet not since you've been my mother figure since childhood. You have been here for me more and more in the past years and I appreciate it so much!! I really don't know how I would handle college life without you =). Thanks for being kookie with me, giggling about random things, and doing weird accents all the time! And thanks for taking on the hobby of baking tasty tasty things which you let me partake of!!! =D!!!!

So. I heard from the third mommy that there was a dry spell for pictures of a "new" addiction. So my present to the three generations of mothers in my family, are the following Jane photos! Enjoy:

Beets for din din/face masks!

Broccoli for exfoliation!

Sharing! Because Sharing is Caring!

We can thank you mothers for passing down

these impeccable manners. =)

Jane's Favorite Pastime;

Twirling.

Swirling Twirling!

Another favorite pastime;

jumping on the parents' bed!

If it were up to Auntie Boo,

EVERYDAY would be Halloween

(as long as she fits in this outfit, at least)!!

Just LOOK at those LASHES!

Jane is sad that she doesn't get to see you

(minus mom #3),

but as Olivia would say,

"Nooo fussin'!"

Happy Mother's Day Everyone!!

♥,
Becks.

Color Spaces Drive Me NUTS!!!!

2010-05-07T00:03:00.001-07:00

Why would an srgb converted file still fade it's red colors?!?!?!?! Just when I think I have this whole color space thing figured out, it goes and flips out on me. Any one who can understand it and then explain it to me deserves a pile of cookies.

*humph*

How You Lika That?!

2010-04-30T00:55:00.000-07:00

So that title comes from a recording of a cartoon that my family owns. There is a Greek Centaur who's job is making shoes. One day Hermes comes to him with his flying shoes and tells him to fix the falling apart shoes. Once Hermes leaves the shoes start giving that Centaur problems. In an Italian-like accent the Centaur exclaims to his pet ducks, "HOW YOU LIKA THAT?!"

. . . .

You probably didn't want to read about that, but I'm chuck full of tangents.

I wanted to write why it's been so quiet over here. It's because I've been shooting people like a mad man!! I've done a fashion shoot, a clothing line session, and some engagements all within a 2 week radius!! Not to mention I started school again [starting school required that I jump through a few million hoops . . . it was ridiculous]!!

I am proud to tell you all that I was allowed to add the Introduction to Photography class!! I'm incredibly scared of it! But I'm excited that everyone else are beginners who are not even in the photography major [this is the only time he allows non-majors to add the class!!]. I'll let you all know how the classes are going and I'll post photos as soon as I get them back to the clients!! I hope you guys don't get too bored in the mean time.

Check out my new header on this blog or my 365 Project [which is now linked up to Facebook for ultimate time wasting!] if you get to the point where you want to gouge your eyes out with a spork [I hear eyes pop like grapes!! I saw it on TV therefore it must be true!].

♥ ,
Becks.

Sneak Peek.

2010-04-10T23:14:00.000-07:00

Just because you guys follow my blog, without having to click a link from my fan page or being threatened by knife point, I'm giving you the first look at the photos that I took today! If you want to follow my blog feel free to click the pretty follow buddin on the right column!

The other day I advertised that I needed a girl with long dark hair but didn't realize that Katy, my sister who was going to do hair, needed someone with BLACK hair. Hahaha!! Opps!! Either way, I got an e-mail from Stacy saying she was a most willing vessel for my sister and my experimentations. Perfection.

Katy has been going to hair school for a month [?] now and she's already learned so much!! I don't know who was more excited to do the hair for these photos; her or me!!

Without further ado, have a peek at the photo I edited today:

Model: Stacy Bjerregaard

Hair: Katy Leung

MU: Becky Leung

Photographer: Becky Leung

Are you a photographer who wants to know how I did the crazy cool coloring/light aberrations? Follow my basic steps [you can see the first few steps in this tutorial I made] and then follow the steps on this video [scroll down to the picture of the Holga camera and click]. As always, if you do this style of editing share a link in the comments so I can see what you've done!! I love seeing other people's creativity!

Are you a model who wants to work with me? Contact me at modogaphotos[at]gmail[dot]com for my rates!! If you're lucky enough I'll need someone for a concept and we can do a trade for pictures!!

Hope you're all having a most fabulous weekend!

♥
Becks.

Cell Phone Holgaroids.

2010-04-08T12:30:00.000-07:00

I stumbled upon an amazing iPhone app that made me drool/lust for an iPhone. It's called Hipstamatic and if you have an iPhone . . . first off, I hate you . . . and second, I highly recommend you purchase that amazing app and start taking photos like a mad person.

Since I, a lowly Nokia cell phone owner, cannot behold the glory/power of the Hipstamatic app, I decided to do my own little version and thwart fate's cruel designs. I took these pictures, keeping in mind that the end result would be cropped into a smaller square version, with my Nokia ExpressMusic cell phone camera. I sent the pictures to my email then opened them up in Photochop. Inside photochop I used a most glorious action of doom and, well, glory! It's called Holgaroid [Holga+Polaroid] and it's become my new BFF. I've got an antiquing action that I use as well but I've not a clue where I got that one from. I'm sure you can find an action if you just Google "Photoshop antiquing action" or something of the like =D!!

Without further ado . . . Behold my cell phone holgaroids:

[Funny story about this one . . . I saw it as I was taking a shower! I hurried through my shower and grabbed my cell phone as fast as I could! I named it "Death is the Road to Awe" but then my friend Shaine said, "I heart this one. Plus it made me sing,'Jeeebus wants mee for a suuuuuuunBEAM!'" so now it has two names.]

If you end up doing this LINK ME YOUR PHOTOS IN THE COMMENTS!!!!! I want to see your genius!!!!

To see more of my photos feel free to look at my Fan Page and/or 365 Project [but please ignore my lazy days on my 365 project xD]!!

♥ and Holgaroids,
Becks.

cricket chirp

2010-04-03T20:43:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't updated my blog or my fan page for a while. I've been incredibly busy trying to get everything in order for getting back into school.

I have officially declared a pre-major for the Visual Arts department at Brigham Young University!! I'm three classes and about a year away from applying to the photography program for the last time. *cross fingers, toes, legs, arms, eyes, brain*

In the meantime, I've talked with the professor of the Intro to Photography class and asked him if I can add his class on the first day of school. He wrote back telling me that I could show up the first day and add the class if there was room. I'm praying that someone drops the class like a hot potato. I'd really love to take my first official class on photography!!

Many of you know my little sister, K-dizzle. She recently entered school for hair and makeup. I'm so excited to have her as my ally in the beauty industry!! We are already partners in crime about 80% of the time . . . now it's going to bump us up to about 85%!!! [whaaaaaat? she has a boy toy . . . I can't take up all of her time . . . unfortunately.]

Anywho, that brings me to the real purpose of this entry. We're looking for a female model with long dark hair. Preferably she will have lighter colored eyes [green/blue] but we're okay with girls who have darker colored eyes as well. The model must live around the Provo area or be able to travel to Provo for the shootout [will most likely be done on a weekend]. Height/weight does not matter. If you, or someone you know, are interested please send an e-mail with two color/clear snap shots of yourself [face close up and full body] to modogaphotos[at]gmail[dot]com. Also include your available days/times and your age. If you are under the age of 18 I will require you bring an escort [preferably a guardian as you will be signing a contract]. We will contact you and figure out times/dates/locations within 2-3 weeks. This will be a TFP** shoot.

I hope you're all having a wonderful Easter, or if you don't celebrate it, a happy weekend!

♥
Becks

** Meaning I won't charge you and you won't charge me. After post production I will send you pictures via e-mail but I will retain full copyright. You will be allowed to show the photos online but the copyright watermark MUST BE VISIBLE AT ALL TIMES. You may contact me for a CD of edited photos without the watermark and partial copyright [meaning you may print them and send them off to agencies] for a $20 fee [you may not send the photos to any publication house without my permission]. A contract will be signed on the day of the photo shoot.

A Little Before + After Action.

2010-03-08T21:36:00.000-08:00

This blog is going to be my "Before/After"/"How I Did It" place. When I first started out with photography I was really upset with the complete lack of sharing from other photographers. As I've gotten more into photography I've realized that really? I'm just scared to show people how I do stuff because it shows how little I really do know about photography and how much I use post processing to make up for it. Oh well. I'm on a journey to get better at photography and the best place to start is the beginning.

So here are a few Before + After Photographs:

BEFORE:

Meta Data:

Camera - Canon Rebel XT

Aperture - F/3.5

Exposure - 0.067 (1/15)

Focal Length - 30mm

ISO - 800

Flash - did not fire

Format - RAW [ALWAYS use RAW if you can!!!]

AFTER:

WHAT I DID:

- Started out by adjusting the photo in Camera Raw. I adjusted the white balance until the skin looked natural, made the blacks blacker and upped the contrast + clarity. I also adjusted the saturation of the yellows and oranges as there was faaaaaaar too much of it in the photo.

- I opened up the photo in CS4.

Editing [my secrets revealed]:

Note: Unfortunately I don't have photos of the editing that I did. I didn't realize that I was going to make this entry until after I had already saved/exited the photo. So this will be from what I remember! I always start editing my photos the same way. I use actions that I got for free. *hang head in shame* I know. But let me tell you why I love actions. They make editing so much faster and so much easier!! With a click of the button my photo is sharpened/deeper/richer colors. Instead of doing a million steps to every single photo I just click and presto! The best part? They are totally customizable. I never leave an action as is. That's why I feel that it's alright to use them =). You may argue that I don't really know anything about photography/photoshop now and that I'm totally not legit. I'll just tell you "PISH POSH!!!! I don't know anything about Photoshop and I am learning how to be a great photographer who doesn't need massive post processing! Everyone has to start somewhere!! Now skidattle you menace!"

1. Started out using Boutwell's Magic Glasses.
2. Use BMG to make adjustments to the photo. Adjustments made:
   - The Skin: I used a mixture of spot healing brush tool [J] full blown and clone stamp [S] at a low opacity to clean up the spots on her face. It takes a long time to do this so have patience. Make sure that you zoom in and out [command + - and command + =] when making these adjustments so you can see if the skin looks weird compared to the rest. I used the patch tool [J but you have to right click to select it as this is also your spot healing brush tool] to adjust the wrinkles under her eye. Right after I made the new skin selection by dragging it to an area with the desired skin texture, I pressed command+shift+f and adjusted the patch's opacity to make it look more natural. I selected the area around her lips with the lasso tool [L] and made sure that the lip's shape was correct [in some parts the lipstick is coming off of the lip and others it's fading where it should be vibrant. I simply pushed/pulled the color to the place I needed it to be]. You can get to liquify by pressing shift+command+x. Be careful with liquify!! You just need really small pushes/pulls to make it look good =). Promise.
   - The Teeth: Her teeth were so shiny that they reflected the bright red of her lipstick. I made a selection around her mouth with the lasso tool and made a new layer from the selection [Command + J]. With the new layer I clicked Image > Adjustments > Replace color and changed the hue and lightness of her teeth until they looked more natural. They still looked a little fake after the adjustment so I changed the opacity of the layer until it looked natural.
   - Eyes: Used Dodge + Burn [O] in order to make the eyes pop more.
   - Background Color Change: pressed Select > Color Range and picked up the yellow background with the dropper and the add dropper. Once the desired yellow was selected I created a new layer [Command+J]. I erased the skin that the selection picked up since I didn't want to change that color. Once I had my selection I clicked Image > Adjustments > Replace color and changed the hue and lightness to be a nice soft springy pink!
   - Background Under Right Arm: What an unsightly distraction for the eye!! I made that little mistake disappear by selecting a portion of the wall I wanted to replace it with with the rectangular marquee tool [M]. I pressed command + c and then command + v. This dropped a copy layer of the selection! I used the Move Tool [V] to move it to the spot I wanted to cover. I then changed the blend to Difference.

This will show where your new swatch of wall should be erased in comparison to the arm. Click Erase [E] and set the brush to no hardness and 100% opacity. Slowly erase until the arm is no longer grey. You can always check if it looks weird by changing the blending mode back to normal. I usually change between difference and normal a few times just to make sure it looks natural. After you're satisfied keep the layer in normal mode. The color of the wall under her arm looked a bit weird just leaving it like that [notice the shadowing on her arm and the lack of shadow on the wall . . . hmmm . . . ] so I used the same color adjustment technique I used earlier to make it a bit darker/shadowed.
3. Used Lovely and Ethereal from Pioneer Woman's Action Set
- I used the paint brush on the Lighten adjustment layer to lighten her skin to a creamy texture. I made sure to keep all the most important parts a bit more dark (cheek bones, sides of nose, outline of eyes to keep eyeliner looking dark, etc.)

And that, my friends, is how I got this photo:

If you'd like to try out my editing process on the same photo feel free to send me an e-mail. My only request, if you DO use this photo, is that you credit me as the photographer wherever you post it [be it on the internet or in a gallery]. I'd like to get credit for my work =)

PHEW!!! That was an intense first post!! Make sure to become a fan of my photography on Facebook and look forward to more posts like this!

♥
Becks.

COMING SOON!

2010-01-29T23:46:00.000-08:00

I'm in the process of making this blog look fantasmic!

Please stand by.

In the mean time listen to this elevator music! Or go check out my Facebook Fan page!!! Or my old blog!! [I'd go with the elevator music ♥]

Besitos!
Becky