Hi Key Katie

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Something I've not tried before and a facinating thing (for me) is that I tried printing this and it works much better on plain paper than on photo paper, providing a pencil drawn look that I've never got before.

Anyway back to why it's posted here. Can I please have some feedback, on what for me is a new avenue of exploration.


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Thanks

[Pops]

Re: Hi Key Katie

I am certainly not qualified to comment on art but maybe the skin is to smooth. Every face has laughter lines around the mouth for instance. I do like the very slight suggestion of a smile.

[Pol]

Re: Hi Key Katie

I can't draw, never could so I suppose that's one of the reasons I really like this sort of processing. I can imagine how it might look better on plain, or maybe art, paper too. I suppose the high key effect might look a tad burned out in places - though I dunno because I've never tried prints from this sort of thing.

In short - I guess I'm showing my ignorance but saying I like it.

I think maybe it's just a touch too pale, lines of the sketch slightly too 'grey'. Perhaps it could do with a little more definition on the edges of the lines around the lips and a touch more visible definition in the countours of the face - or maybe the print shows more detail?

I have a nice pencil sketch action tucked away somewhere and I've been looking for it, without success, if you'd like to try it. It's a Photoshop action which I got from the Adobe website a few years ago. I think it's suitable for PS vs 7 and higher.

I'll keep looking for it then I'll post again if I find it. I haven't used it for ages but I especially liked it because it's configurable at several stages and it also produces a decent result imo. I'll have a rummage through my external drives - I just know I still have it somewhere!

Pol

[Pol]

Re: Hi Key Katie

I have a nice pencil sketch action tucked away somewhere and I've been looking for it, without success, if you'd like to try it. It's a Photoshop action which I got from the Adobe website a few years ago. I think it's suitable for PS vs 7 and higher.

I'll keep looking for it then I'll post again if I find it. I haven't used it for ages but I especially liked it because it's configurable at several stages and it also produces a decent result imo. I'll have a rummage through my external drives - I just know I still have it somewhere!

Pol

Yay - I found the Pencil Sketch action in a backup folder and I've uploaded a zipped copy for you to d/l and play with. You'll easily see how to tweak the sliders and levels until you get what you want.

The link is HERE - personal webspace so I'll leave it in there for a few days to give you time grab a copy. It's a small zip - approx 700k

Pol

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Hi Key Katie

I am certainly not qualified to comment on art ... I do like the very slight suggestion of a smile.

Your comments are valued and you were spot on in your observation. Katie is an actress as well as a model, and after lunch while we were relaxing, I asked her to react as she would if on stage and I posed different questions to observe an capture the expressions. While I can't recall what I asked that produced the hint of a smile, it was the reason for my selection of the image as one to work on.

Thanks

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Hi Key Katie

I can't draw, never could so I suppose that's one of the reasons I really like this sort of processing. I can imagine how it might look better on plain, or maybe art, paper too. I suppose the high key effect might look a tad burned out in places - though I dunno because I've never tried prints from this sort of thing.

In short - I guess I'm showing my ignorance but saying I like it.

I think maybe it's just a touch too pale, lines of the sketch slightly too 'grey'. Perhaps it could do with a little more definition on the edges of the lines around the lips and a touch more visible definition in the countours of the face - or maybe the print shows more detail?

I have a nice pencil sketch action tucked away somewhere and I've been looking for it, without success, if you'd like to try it. It's a Photoshop action which I got from the Adobe website a few years ago. I think it's suitable for PS vs 7 and higher.

I'll keep looking for it then I'll post again if I find it. I haven't used it for ages but I especially liked it because it's configurable at several stages and it also produces a decent result imo. I'll have a rummage through my external drives - I just know I still have it somewhere!

Pol

Yay - I found the Pencil Sketch action in a backup folder and I've uploaded a zipped copy for you to d/l and play with. You'll easily see how to tweak the sliders and levels until you get what you want.

The link is HERE - personal webspace so I'll leave it in there for a few days to give you time grab a copy. It's a small zip - approx 700k

Pol

Such a comprehensive comment is really appreciated. The full resolution image printed onto plain A4 printer paper is very much better than can be seen on the screen (I have a glossy screen on which it looks horrible and a matt screen on which it looks better) Printed on gloss photo paper it really looks burned out, so this is one that perhaps will never render well on a screen. I entered it into a competition tonight and while it didn't win it was very well received (and they don't hold back on their criticism)

This was my first experiment of this type and I shall take it further in an attempt to get it right for both paper and screen viewing.

I have to say I'm so gratefull for the efforts that you have gone to, in locating the Plugin. I really appreciate that gesture and will download it and have a good play.

Regards

[Stephen]

Re: Hi Key Katie

Graham, I've been thinking about this shot since you posted it. Its my opinion firstly that you have captured a charming face, with a good expression. From that stand point it has the potential to be a good image.

I don't think that what you have done to it works on the screen though, even though it may give you a pleasing print. Its not really a high key image in my opinion, and the effect you have created has largely been achieved by processing and adding grain. The result has removed detail and skin tone and added what looks like 'stubble' in areas of slight shade, around the chin line for example. The whole picture for me lacks any form of contrast. I put it into PS and using Levels added some contrast, and for me it improved it.

Its all a personal thing in the end, and of course your print may give a more pleasing result that the screen version. As I see it though it doesn't float my boat, though the composition and face have a lot going for them.

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Hi Key Katie

Graham, I've been thinking about this shot since you posted it. Its my opinion firstly that you have captured a charming face, with a good expression. From that stand point it has the potential to be a good image.

I don't think that what you have done to it works on the screen though, even though it may give you a pleasing print. Its not really a high key image in my opinion, and the effect you have created has largely been achieved by processing and adding grain. The result has removed detail and skin tone and added what looks like 'stubble' in areas of slight shade, around the chin line for example. The whole picture for me lacks any form of contrast. I put it into PS and using Levels added some contrast, and for me it improved it.

Its all a personal thing in the end, and of course your print may give a more pleasing result that the screen version. As I see it though it doesn't float my boat, though the composition and face have a lot going for them.

Stephen,

You're right in all you have said, and it is comments such as this which are of value in providing an alternate approach to producing an image of this type that will present better on a screen at web resolution. Having done this one and having received these comments, I shall likely try many more variations to see how different suggestions work (or not).

One of the things I'm trying to do with this is to see how far I can go with the removal of detail before it all goes wrong. I have an added problem in that my minds eye keeps filling in the features that I remove. I'm now wondering if I should reverse the process and bring features out.

This isn't too far removed from experimenting back in the dark room

Regards