Revisiting an Old Portrait
Please open a big version of the image here and have a good zoom in.
A few days ago I got a new toy, a Wacom tablet and decided to best see what I can do with it, is to revisit an old self portrait and do it all over again with the Wacom. Then I would rule out possible improvements in photography, and only be testing out the Wacom and my Photoshop skills. I'm actually really enjoying the photoshop process, which is basically skin retouching, and adding highlights and shadows, because I now have the tablet to help me out.
I chose a portrait that I shot in April 24th of 2018, with the Nikon D7200 and Sigma Art 18-35mm f/1.8, at 35mm, ISO 250, 1/60 sec and f/1.8.
It's one of my favourite self portraits, which is probably quite surprising. It's not fancy, there is no smoke and mirrors, no thick mask of makeup, no cool outfit, no showing off my best assets, aka my body, and quite frankly, I look a bit mental, but there is just something that I really like about it. It's quite raw and the tones and light have me thinking of the old Dutch painters, I am a classicist after all.
On the left is the original image, only converted from raw to jpeg, the centre one is the first edit, and the right one I did today. It took me something like two hours to finish, because I was really paying attention to details and also trying to find all the hidden imperfections that might show up when viewed on a different screen. Overall, I see a fair bit of improvement, it's not perfect, but a lot more refined, smoother but still looks like I am a real person. I decided to make it a tiny bit different colour, and not as saturated, and I think it worked pretty nicely.
Please let me know what you think of my new edit, and this idea of revisiting an old self portrait.
Ps. I saw my own images on a PC (I use a MacBook Pro and iPhone 8) maybe for the first time yesterday, and I'm shocked how dreadful they look compared to my own screen. fml.
I love the progression, Eve, but I caution. Do not go down the rabbit hole. Once you've seen it, you'll never appreciate photos the same way again.
Too late! With photography and post process the search for perfection and improvement never ends!
You rascal! I knew you wouldn't hesitate; tell me, how do you feel about the advent of our collaborating? Is this an opportunity that would interest one such as yourself?
We are worlds apart, what do you have in mind? 😅
Perhaps we could move this chat over to Discord?
I like it, too :) It's strange. You have a curious look in your eye. And yes, there's an obvious improvement:) I think this revisiting old stuff is an interesting idea.
I’m strange so maybe it’s that side well visible here. I’m glad the improvement is visible, makes it worth all the practise!
A remarkable difference. A much more professional looking result.
I think it was a good idea. You can only compare the difference of a new process with something you already know the result of from the past process.
I think it's interesting to note that I didn't really use any new techniques, the same tools, just with more precision. I can't be bothered to learn all the beauty retouching tricks because they go a little too far in my opinion when it's like creating a completely new skin and bone structure.
I like it its warhol-esc to see this image in a wallpapering. I did like your collages that you did a while back, great imaging.
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Aina kannattaa palata välillä vanhoihin töihin. Joko kokeilemaan muutoksia uusilla työkaluilla tai tarkastelemaan niitä muuten vaan. Mäkin tykkään tästä muotokuvasta. Ja siitä että et yleensäkään retusoi kuviasi liikaa.