Need Help With Valentine's Present - Need Some Expert PP Work Done

[theantiquetiger]

I want to get one of these images put on canvas for my wife's Valentine's present.

Both images lack sharpness in one of the girls' eyes. With my lack of PP skills and only having Gimp, this is the best I could coem up with. I didn't even try to work on the second image (which I like the pose better).

If some one can do one of them for me (doesn't matter which), I can upload the original large raw file to Rapidshare.

I need it by Monday evening.

Here is the link to the first raw image in Rapidshare https://rapidshare.com/files/2057487695/IMG_5088.CR2


Here is the link to the second raw image in Rapidshare https://rapidshare.com/files/357233826/IMG_5087.CR2


original #1
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6764708187_8b07a511b0_z.jpg

My PP work (BW & Sepia)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7145/6764687589_6cb44f4bd3_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6764690729_da18309b72_b.jpg

#2 original
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7012/6764708759_c3013133b9_z.jpg

[theantiquetiger]

While playing around with the first image, I decided to see what a faux HDR in Gimp ould do to it. I like it very much. So if no one helps, I am going with this one.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6768726667_468963a8f1_b.jpg

[theantiquetiger]

I found a surprise in my e-mail inbox from Vyeko. He took the second image and worked it for me. What I don't understand, the image was shot BW, not just converted. In RAW, I see it in BW. Is there a color image in RAW that I don't see.

Thanks for the image Vyeko

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/6768800093_267e45f1df_b.jpg

[asnow]

Here's my shot at an explanation. Somebody please correct me if I am wrong.

You set the camera to shoot in BW. The RAW file still contains all the information including the colour information. With the BW setting, the camera is converting the RAW information to a BW jpeg and displaying that on the back of the camera. What some people don't know is the RAW image has a jpeg imbedded in it. So if you had set you camera to RAW + jpeg you would be getting.
1 - RAW file which has all information including colour
1 - imbedded jpeg (in the RAW file) in BW
1 - separate jpeg file in BW

[theantiquetiger]

Here's my shot at an explanation. Somebody please correct me if I am wrong.

You set the camera to shoot in BW. The RAW file still contains all the information including the colour information. With the BW setting, the camera is converting the RAW information to a BW jpeg and displaying that on the back of the camera. What some people don't know is the RAW image has a jpeg imbedded in it. So if you had set you camera to RAW + jpeg you would be getting.
1 - RAW file which has all information including colour
1 - imbedded jpeg (in the RAW file) in BW
1 - separate jpeg file in BW

I understand what you are saying, but when I pull up these CR2 images, I see them in BW, they are not jpegs yet. I shoot in RAW, not Raw+jpeg.

I guess I have your second explanation "1 - imbedded jpeg (in the RAW file) in BW".

So, how do I see the color side of the RAW BW image?

[vyeko]

Yes this is interesting and I don`t understood too.I see icon of RAW file on my desktop like small B/W image but when I open in Camera RAW it is in color.

[asnow]

When you see the icon of the RAW file on you desktop, you are seeing the embedded jpeg ie BW. When you open in Camera Raw you are seeing the RAW info, i.e. colour. At least that's what I think is happening.

[Iguanasan]

One of the things I ran into is that my RAW processor (I use ufRAW as input to Gimp) has a panel on it to allow you to convert the image to a B&W image as you load it up to edit it. When you adjust the settings on this panel ufRAW displays the image as you will see it once it has been converted, that is, in B&W. The "sneaky" thing is that those settings are sticky. The next image I bring up in ufRAW is also displayed in B&W based on the settings from the last time I used it. I have to go back to the B&W panel and click the RESET button to give me back my colour image. Maybe this is happening to you?

Does that make sense?

[Gremlich]

Lightroom does the same thing to me, I shoot in monochrome and the little thumbnail image I see at the bottom is initially a B&W Jpeg, but then when I select one to work on, both the thumbnail and image to be worked in the "develop" or "Library" window "become" color, because now it's the RAW file with all of the data present. I just click the "black and white" option to see what it was I actually shot and start PP if needed.

[lindsayb]

One of the things I ran into is that my RAW processor (I use ufRAW as input to Gimp) has a panel on it to allow you to convert the image to a B&W image as you load it up to edit it. When you adjust the settings on this panel ufRAW displays the image as you will see it once it has been converted, that is, in B&W. The "sneaky" thing is that those settings are sticky. The next image I bring up in ufRAW is also displayed in B&W based on the settings from the last time I used it. I have to go back to the B&W panel and click the RESET button to give me back my colour image. Maybe this is happening to you?

Does that make sense?

I use GIMP and I've noticed this same thing. It's rather annoying and as I've just started using RAW again, I'm not sure how to change it. There's no "re-set" button that I can tell.

[JAS_Photo]

When you shoot raw, all the info is preserved, even if your camera converts it to B&W. Some photographers like to shoot in B&W so they can get a better grip on what the B&W looks like but if you convert after the fact rather than in camera, you have much more control.

[kat]

What photo did you end up using!? They are cute little ones. I'm sure any phtoo would do. Ugh..I usually do one for Valentine every year..but this one. :(

[theantiquetiger]

I missed the dead line to get it done but I'm going with Vyeko's color version. I am glad you bumped this thread Kat, you got me out of hot water. I didn't get my wife a present and I used this thread as proof I didn't make it up, and that I was planning on it for three weeks now.

[kat]

Ahh..give her a nice relaxing day! Make some supper, draw her a bath. Haha..maybe I should type that though... May you and mrstheantiquetiger have a great valentines day!

[theantiquetiger]

I stopped on the way home and got some nice filet mignon steaks, baked potatoes, and baby green salad with strawberry vinegarette. Half way through grilling the steaks, my grill ran out of gas, so I finished them on the stove top in a black iron skillet, they were the best steaks I ever made!!!!

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r198/theantiquetiger/steak.jpg