Fortnightly Challenge July 23-Augurst 5 : Eyes

[Waybo]

I love both of these. There is a certain mystery behind each. Makes your wonder who's behind those "masks."

I have to agree. These are great.

Waybo, I think it might help if you could add some sharpening to the eyes. Eyes can stand to be sharpened a lot and brightened up a little as well. Note how the other picture has a clear and fairly bright eye.

Thank you both for the kind words.

Keleko: That was a great hint! I had never thought to specifically sharpen the eyes. Great tip, and much appreciated. It DOES make a difference.

Now, my question for Keleko, and/or others: How much sharpening is enough? Is there too much of a good thing? Here are some close ups:

Original:

1 level sharpening:

2 levels sharpening:

3 levels sharpening:

 

[fcortese]

Thank you both for the kind words.

Keleko: That was a great hint! I had never thought to specifically sharpen the eyes. Great tip, and much appreciated. It DOES make a difference.

Now, my question for Keleko, and/or others: How much sharpening is enough? Is there too much of a good thing? Here are some close ups:

Original:

1 level sharpening:

2 levels sharpening:

3 levels sharpening:

I am having trouble distinguishing much difference between 1, 2 or 3. However, all appear a little sharper than the original to my eye (err, excuse the pun).

 

[gnd]

I can see the sharpening artifacts on 2, 3 is just horrible. I think just sharpening is not the answer here, the color in the eye is a bit bland. I think you should also dodge the eyes ... If you use Lightroom that can easily be done with a brush (increase exposure by no more than half a stop, increase Clarity, Vibrancy and a bit of Saturation).

 

[Keleko]

2 and 3 do start showing artifacts, so they're too much. The picture may not have been sharp enough originally to boost it very far.

As for how to do it, I have The Photoshop Elements 9 Book for Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby. It has various techniques for common effects, and one of them describes how to get sharp and bright eyes. Of course, you also have to have Photoshop Elements 9 to use the described technique. But, you can use Aperture to sharpen specific parts of a photo, too, so you may be able to use it. You could also try painting in a higher definition on the eyes with Aperture instead multiple applications of sharpening.