I Heart Faces | Fix-it-Friday #83

Jump for joy ... it's Fix-it-Friday!!! This is a great image from our own I Heart Faces, Angie Arthur! 
What a fun shot this must have been to capture!  Here are my edits, but first the original from Angie .....

First Edit: {using PSE7}
Duplicated image - blending change/screen - opacity 78% - flattened -
Gradient map layer b/w - blending change/overlay - opacity 60% - flattened -
Lightened up shadows on face - color adjustment - vignette added.

 

Second Edit:
Levels adjustment/blue to first edit with output set at 55/198 -
added gradient fill layer/radial to brighten the upper left corner - flattened.

Third Edit:
Added texture layer {Shadowhouse Creations} to second edit -
masked it from his face and clothes - flattened.

*Fourth Edit:
Using my first edit - I cropped and flipped the image horizontally - added sun flair in upper right corner -
converted to b/w - adjusted contrast to lighten background.

Really kind of like how this last one came out ... what do you think? 
I do have a question if anyone knows ...
when downloading the FIF images from Flickr, which size should we use ...
the large, or the original size?
Thanks! :)

Now, to see more edits, or to add yours, just click the iheartfaces logo at the top of this page ...
hope you all have a warm, and wonderful weekend!
Blessings ~

Change is good ... but, not always easy!

Ah, a new year, a new beginning, time to turn the page, start with a clean slate, and get a fresh web design ... yes, we're under construction around here, and things keep pulling me away from the computer, so I haven't gotten too very far.  I'm learning how all the gadgets and gizmos in Blogger work, and that, too, has taken time.  I even went so far as to open up a new web site here, just to practice on ... that way I don't totally mess things up here on my main page!  Figuring all of this out, is not what I would call simple ... but I do like the challenge!  I finally figured out how to add the tabs to my other pages along the top ... now, to get each one completed! 

Currently I'm working on a new logo/banner/header for the top of my page.  If anyone has any tips, or tutorials, on how to make, and add one, by all means, do share!  I can tell you, I am certainly no web designer, but like I said, I'm always up for a challenge!  The one I have up there now still needs a frame, or something, and may very well be temporary, although I do like the simplicity of it, and it's all about simplicity these days ... for me, at least!  Well, it's time to get back to work ... but first, I'll leave you with an image I took of a friend's bouquet that she's had drying since her wedding this past October ... I thought it fitting to add a texture to it ... this one came from Shadowhouse Creations.

Have a blessed weekend ... and stay warm! We're in a deep freeze here ... but still, I do love the winter! :)

Fix-it-Friday | #82

It's another Fix-it-Friday over @ I Heart Faces, and we have a great image to work on from Rachel Durik.  I so admire her work, she is blessed with an amazing gift.  I have been contemplating on just how to fix this one ... it's pretty much perfect!  I love the crisp look of her eyes, not to mention those freckles and her smile, absolutely adorable! 

I thought it could use just a bit of brightening up, so here are my fixes using PSE7 ... first one is the original SOOC image.

First edit ... B/W:
1.  Adjusted contrast
2.  Brightened her eyes
3.  Converted to b/w
4.  Added color layer #968781
5.  Blending Change set to Soft Light
6.  Opacity 100%, and flattened image

Second edit ...
1.  Adjusted contrast and color levels
2.  Brightened and added more color to her eyes

Third edit ... starting w/the second edit ...
1.  Added texture layer from Shadow House Creations
2.  Blending Change set to Soft Light
3.  Opacity 100%
5.  Maxed off of her face, and flattened image

The fourth, and final edit, I had to leave my 'post' to fix some dinner, and forgot to list some of the steps to share.  After cropping, I experimented with some of the gradient layers, (still learning to work with those) and basically adjusted the color levels, with some added sharpening ... now, I do think,  she looks like she has a bit of Irish in her! 

sooc by susan keller

second edit - b/w

third edit - color

fourth edit - color with texture

fifth edit - Irish eyes are smilin' ... wonder if she is Irish!

Please do leave a comment, and let me know which one you like!
To see more edits of Rachel's image, or if you want to join in, click the logo below!