[Bristol Pete]

First quick go on CS2 today. Before and after. Used auto level, contrast and colours etc and then unsharp mask 72, 2 and 3 as I saw these figures in a book I looked at in my lunch break. First picture big difference, not so sure on the second one though edge of my friends coat looks sharper.

One thing I would say is that these pictures were already played with in picassa and irfanview. All future editing will be done in CS2 I think. Hell of a tool - but lots to learn

Before

After

Before

After

[sideysid]

If you want to add some more filters get the Eyecandy plugin, you can make some good glass effects etc.

I use the CS2 suite daily in my job as I work in the a multi-media company, mostly specialising in DVD packaging. The large proportion of your TCFHE, Warner etc covers have probably gone through some involvement with me at some point!

Im still getting to grips with Indesign though, as were slowly transferring over from Quark. But its very handy with transparrency etc which Quark (at the moment) can't do...

[senu]

Pete,
If you can avoid the contentious bits, Here .There is a suggested workflow for editing .
It is probably overkill for most of us simpletons but gives an idea of a step by step process from when you load an image into PS to the finished Pic.

It is probably best to keep as a reference as you will develop your own work flow especially after going thru one or 2 books as suggested in your book enquiry thread
If you find think you might find it useful Ill link to the most recent version if you are unable to find it

[Bristol Pete]

Pete,
If you can avoid the contentious bits, Here .There is a suggested workflow for editing .
It is probably overkill for most of us simpletons but gives an idea of a step by step process from when you load an image into PS to the finished Pic.

Thanks for the heads up. To seperate the wheat from the chaff, could you list what you think it should be?

Thanks,

Pete.

[senu]

I would honestly start from the very simple workflow suggested by the original poster.
Even with the detail , everybody agrees to leave the USM or sharpen till the very end and it all seems to start with leveling up ( if need be), cropping then going into levels to correct exposure .This workflow applies to even PS Elements but with PS having curves there is that one further step.

The introduction of RAW in cameras and preprocessing at that stage before saving to jpeg obviously means that less may need be done to the saved jpeg before print/ web posting

If for reference you want Freds full cs2 workflow pm me by all means to email it to you but it is very daunting and for most pictures overkill unless you work in the industry and your editor expects perfection!

Here are 2 samples of the photos cleaned up, I don't know if you were looking to retain the sepia look or not.

I'd really suggest learning to actually use the tools in photo editing program rather than relay on auto setting you loose all control over effects and really learn nothing about what's happening. Done in CS2 a little noise removal, unsharp mask and to convert to b/w I use the technique here http://www.jtgraphics.net/all_digital.htm under title
Convert Color Photos to B\W. After I convert to RGB mode and did the unsharp mask and done, also removed the shadow on right in both photos.
You can achieve the same results many ways this is just one

[Bristol Pete]

Thanks for the effort. However, not looking to clean up the pics quite so excessively as I think my friend now looks like some freak However, your advice is noted.

Thanks,

Pete.

[bibamus]

Just a few seconds with Curves in CS2 and a little USM. Keeps the detail in the right eye a little more without darkening the whole face. You can play forever with CS2!
Allan