Portrait Practice – Braces Be Gone!
September 18, 2008
I forgot to mention that the occasion for doing these shots of Kate was the removal of her braces after three long years of orthodontia. So, the first of these two shots shows her beautiful new teeth, with a bit of retouching to remove yellow.
Following retouching of eyes, skin, and teeth, I used a Lightroom preset called Dror Veld from Dror Eyal found HERE.
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This one uses a Lightroom preset called Snow by Vert found HERE.
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And then another more dramatic one, also using the Snow preset.
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September 18, 2008 at 10:16 am
You are always so good about posting links to presets. I never can remember where I get my presets so I can share.
I especially like the first image and processing. I’m off to download and perhaps “play” a little with the new preset.
September 18, 2008 at 10:31 am
Hi Sue, when I import presets into LR, I put them into folders by name of the originator. That way, I can usually find the website again with a google search.
Hope you like those!
September 18, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Kate’s teeth look beautiful, she must have had to be very patient. Of the three presets, I prefer the 3rd one, I like the contrast in this, but particularly that she has more colour in her cheeks, to me somehow that is a more natural look. Her eyes look great too.
September 18, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Thanks, Lisa! You’re right, there is more color in her cheeks in the third one and it is more flattering. Appreciate your comments!
September 18, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Well done Julie,
I prefer the darker version because it makes her skin look most natural. And her looking away is just so great. Very “thoughtful” and pensive. My fav of the 3!
The other presets seem to have made the skin look a little lighter than her skin looked in the pre-braces removed shots.
I love the way her hair curls – it frames her face nicely for the photos.
PS: I had braces for 3 years too and the day they came off was like no other happiness!!! (Now are you going to tell her to wear her retainer every night like my mom did? lol)
September 18, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Thank you so much, Jen! I see what you (and Lisa) mean about the skin tone in the first two shots. And I love that looking away pose too…
Poor Kate has to wear her retainer all the time except when eating and playing sports. She’s good at remembering now, but I expect to have to remind her a lot as time goes on.
Thanks for the input!
September 19, 2008 at 6:58 am
I am going to go against the grain a bit here – I like 1 the best, 2 second best and 3 is a miss, put a lil more S in the curve for 1 to make it pop, it has the best elements for a great portrait – 2 and 3 I do not like because of the arm looks unnatural – when do portraits, try to stay away from cropping at joints, ie ankles, knees, elbows, wrists… that is my story = ) have a good weekend.
September 19, 2008 at 9:31 am
Someone’s gotta be a rebel!
Thanks for weighing in, Mike. That rule of thumb will be useful as I practice more.
September 22, 2008 at 8:07 am
Love these! The last one is for sure my favorite. I so relate to her wanting to document the removal of her braces…I got mine off about a year ago. Thanks for sharing your processing info and links.
September 23, 2008 at 12:46 pm
These are so well done Julie! I especially like the contrast in the third one, a stunning portrait IMHO.
Kate is certainly a beautiful young woman!