Edit Me

This week on EDIT ME we have an opportunity (until Saturday) to edit a photo from one of my faves, Ashley Sisk.  Very intimidating, I tell ya.  She is a master at what she does.  Check out this gorgeous babe SOOC. . . 

Photo taken by Ashley Sisk

Let's see if I can remember this. . .
To begin with, I brought up the photo in Lightroom and brigtened up the photo by increasing fill light and exposure.  Increased blacks a bit.  Sharpened. I also messed around with shadows and highlights.  I really loved the light that was coming in from the window on his face.  So lovely.  I may have increased it a little too much and blew out the highlights.  Well, not may have-- I know I blew them out, but that sun looked so warm.  I did use recovery to help a litle bit, but it was changing his skin tone too much so I held back.  I cropped and changed the angle ever so slightly.  I also cloned out the very corner of the chair.  I didn't find the line super distracting, but decided just to fade out the edge a bit.
Then I converted it to a black and white and used a mocha tint in photoshop from Paint the Moon.

 I decided it was looking a little muddy so I went back to my first edit.

So, this is my final photo for consideration. . .

Thanks for looking everyone and for sharing all of your steps in editing!!  I'm learning so much!!