What's your favorite PP "trick"

[Hollie]

Besides sharpening and noise reduction-LOL-what do you find yourself using most often when you PP? I know I am starting to use my Virtual Photographer almost all the time and I tend to duplicate the layer, use VP Ambience setting (maybe play with that a bit) and then reduce the opacity of that layer to around 50%. Usually gives me something I am happy with. But, of course, I am noooooo pro and don't have nearly the fab pics I see from many of you.

[lilpickel]

Defog (= usm of 20/60/0)- I do this to all my photos! Some less then others but it's my favorite and a must for me! Also I love to enhance the color with actions :0)
Tina

[rh_scrapbooker]

Virtual Photographer is used on almost every photo on my layouts.

Rachel

[Angela]

Most of the time I sharpen, adjust curves a tad, and add a little contrast.

[Betty Jo]

I adjust by curves, tweak contrast a little, and normally use an unsharp mask. When my DDL sends photos of my grandchildren they aren't of the quality I prefer so I definitely use Virtual Photographer on those. It has helped me save many a photo. I sometimes change backgrounds in photos too. Most times I just use lens blur to change it but occasionally I remove the old completely and add a new one. I'm working on one now that my DDL sent that I just love. It is of my DGD leaning on a fence in a playground. The background is really cluttered with playground equipment, other kids; very distracting. So I'm removing the original and adding a blurred background that looks much better for this particular photo.

[butternugsquash]

Okay, Tina, can you give more details? Your pictures are UNBELIEVABLE & I need to know how to get pictures like that!!

I've got a Sony Cybershot DSC-F828, so I know I have the equipment I need. Are there specific actions you use? How can I enhance the clarity, sharpness, color - all of it - like you have? My pictures are good, but yours are on a different level altogether.

Any assistance, plug-ins, whatever guidance would be HUGELY appreciated!! BTW - I use Photoshop CS2 & have Virtual Photographer.

[Betty Jo]

Defog (= usm of 20/60/0)- I do this to all my photos! Some less then others but it's my favorite and a must for me! Also I love to enhance the color with actions :0)
Tina

Tina I use PSCS2--where do I find Defog? Thanks!!

[bugshine]

What is exactly is this Virtual Photographer thing you guys are talking about (I'm probably going to look pretty stupid here...lol)?

Betty Jo, how do you add in another background without it looking fake? When I try to do that it looks fake or there's little chunks of the old background still attached to my subjects, etc. You have any tricks for me that might help?

[Leannej]

Virtual Photographer is a Photoshop plug-in. See OptikVervelabs.com. Great program that is free.

[lilpickel]

Christy,
Thank you, you are to kind
I use lots of actions, use curves, different layers - I guess it depends on what the photo needs- if you would like to email me a photo (lilpickel@sbcglobal.net) I will do a few things on it, then tell you what I did that way! It's just kinda hard to say what I do to all the photos- for each it's different!

Betty Jo,
For a defog you go to filters>sharpen>Unsharp mask (USM) then put in these #'s 20/60/0. If you plan on doing more to your photos (actions or what not) start with 10/30/0. HTH

Tina