How much is too much?

[Jessica_Edwards]

I've had some pretty good senior sessions in the last week or so. A couple of images have got me thinking about next year's print comp.

However, I edited this last image to taste...not with competition in mind. My seniors tend to like their images to really pop and so do I. Although I like the extreme editing on this image, I understand that it may not go over well in competition.

So, I guess my question is...

When it comes to techniques like grunge, how much is too much? I think you all are going to say "It depends on the image" because that's the answer I'd give. :)

This is the grunge edit that I'm going to proof for my senior...

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g167/jrayeedwards/possible%20print%20comp/1wade.jpg

And this is SOOC with the exception of a slight rotation and resizing.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g167/jrayeedwards/possible%20print%20comp/IMG_96763-2.jpg

IF I decide to enter this image, is the grunge too much? Should I go somewhere in between or none at all?

Thanks in advance! :)

[Rick_Massarini]

Sorry, but I don't see much "grunge" added to the image - it looks like just a bit of a curves adjustment... am I blind or what????

[Jessica_Edwards]

I suppose in the web sized version it's hard to see the detail. In the edited image, I added a texture layer and blending it with the soft light mode. I also used a high pass filter to bring out more of the image's texture. Finally, I used a contrasty grain effect in Imagenomic's Real Grain.

In doing so, I've lost a little highlight and shadow detail, which I could bring back if I were to rework it for competition.

Here's a close up view of the edited and unedited versions...

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g167/jrayeedwards/possible%20print%20comp/sooc-crop.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g167/jrayeedwards/possible%20print%20comp/edit-crop.jpg

[Rick_Massarini]

I like what you've dome with the image and the whole high contrast idea, but the hand in front of the subject kind of holds the mage back. I'd put them on two separate layers and tone back the highlights on just the hand. Also the highlights in the eyes need to be moved to the 10:00 position instead of the highlight caused by the 6PM underchin eyelighter panel.... Keep all the light coming in from the left side - This is just my opnion, of course...