Lost in Translation

Thursday’s Special: Makeover

It’s been a while since I showcased one of my porcelain dolls.

Maybe you remember Estella from Dickens’s Great Expectations, the prettly little blond thing that broke Pip’s heart. In my previous posts of Estella I thought that the photos I had taken of her showed her in a bad light, so I decided to give her a makeover.

Not long ago I purchased a gadget called SpyderCube which is supposed to help you get nicely exposed and nicely colour-balanced photographs in post-processing of raw images. It is a multi-sided contraption which allows special attention to highlights and shadows and contains more features for image control than a gray card or a white balance tool. The trick is to take a photo of the SpyderCube in the same lighting conditions that are used for the subject of your photo, to make necessary adjustment of parameters, to save it as a preset (I use Lightroom, but it may work with other applications as well) and to apply it to the photo of your subject.

I am enclosing my photo of the cube and Estella’s pictures before and after the SpyderCube treatment.

Does she look better? You’ll be the judge.

Before

After

If you would like to participate in Thursday’s Special themeless (non)challenge, feel free to grab my Jupiter widget bellow and provide a link to this post in your post especially designed for this occasion. More details in Thursday’s Special introductory post.

Other Thursday’s Special entries that you should check out:

Paula

August 28, 2014

Close-up/Macro, Favourites, Photography, Thursday’s Special

absolutely best comment, makeover, photography, spydercube, Thursday’s Special

71 responses to “Thursday’s Special: Makeover”

morselsandscraps

August 28, 2014 at 1:12 am

Your gadget looks daunting to a point-and-shoot photographer. However, it obviously works. The second Estelle is definitely my preference. I can see possibilities for spider cube to solve my problems with gleam on mushroom photos – if I’ve understood the technicalities.

(I should’ve saved my last week’s photo to fit this week’s makeover idea! Bath tub to cafe lounge was an excellent makeover, if not a photographic one.)

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1. Paula
  
  August 28, 2014 at 9:02 pm
  
  Oh Meg, I wish you had linked it to this post. The gadget works for editing raw photos. If you take jpg images, it will not work.
  
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  1. morselsandscraps
    
    August 29, 2014 at 8:28 am
    
    I thought I had linked it – used your icon and added your blog address. What do I need to do?
    
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John

August 28, 2014 at 1:13 am

Oh yes, she looks much better in the second photo, great work!. The gadget works great. I noted you have Likes turned off, (or i missed the link) does that crop your site traffic a bit?

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1. Paula
  
  August 28, 2014 at 8:39 am
  
  Hello John 🙂 Getting traffic is not my priority, in fact, I got rid of the “likes” to avoid unwanted traffic. However, I can see still them though they are not displayed on my page. To answer your question I did not notice that traffic has been cropped, but I do not pay much attention to stats. I appreciate your visit and comment 🙂
  
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  1. John
    
    August 28, 2014 at 8:44 am
    
    Interesting! I ask because a while back, WP had a major ‘Like Spam’ problem which seems to have subsided mostly.
    
    Hence, I struggled with keeping the Likes turned on.
    
    I made a point to call each one of them out by posting their user name and web address on each of my posts. When I did this, they would vanish from my site. Playing the game against them…
    
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    1. Cardinal Guzman
      
      August 28, 2014 at 10:45 am
      
      I’ve also turned off likes (in my main blog). Just like Paula I don’t know if it’s influenced my stats, but now I don’t feel like I “owe” someone a visit. A lot of the ‘like clicking’ is just about that: clicking like and moving on. People were clicking like even when it was obvious that they haven’t read my post (I remember writing a long article, posting it and then I received a like after literally two seconds). I prefer to receive comments and write comments
      
      It’s cool that you played the game against the spammers!
      
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      1. Paula
        
        August 28, 2014 at 12:39 pm
        
        Does anyone know if there is a possibility to press UNLIKE on some comments. I am receiving a lot of likes on the comments I left to people, now I wonder and I need an option where I can click “unlike” on some of the comments I am receiving. There are really comments that make me feel bad and stupid… so stupid to have peple like that on my blog. It is not about you CG or the above person.
        
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        Cardinal Guzman
        
        August 28, 2014 at 1:11 pm
        
        You can find it under the dashboard: settings – sharing – comment likes. I have mine ticked off, but still receive likes on comments…
        
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        Paula
        
        August 28, 2014 at 1:26 pm
        
        You have ticked it off and still you are receiving them? That means it is not working. I also have it ticked off, and they are “liking” them still. I would very much LIKE to be able to UNLIKE their comments. Sorry, I am having a really bad day.
        
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        Cardinal Guzman
        
        August 28, 2014 at 1:35 pm
        
        Yes, I’m still receiving them, so clearly it doesn’t work. I assume that it’s meant for those who want to have a like-option on comments that are in their comment section.
        
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        Paula
        
        August 28, 2014 at 4:20 pm
        
        Yes, people like “likes a lot”. I am just saying if there is a like – why there is not “unlike” option – to make the world more realistic?
        
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Home That We Built

August 28, 2014 at 1:28 am

Paula, do you MAKE porcelain dolls?!?! Your Estella looks charming! Can we see her full size? She must be quite a masterpiece.

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1. Paula
  
  August 28, 2014 at 8:47 am
  
  Noooooooooo, I don’t make them, just used to purchase them 😀 I have 15 of them and they are quite small about 16 cm. Here you can see more of Estella 😉 https://bopaula.wordpress.com/2014/02/21/weekly-photo-challenge-three-faces-of-estella/
  
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Colline

August 28, 2014 at 2:35 am

I think she does Paula. The colouring looks more like what you see when in front of her physically I think.

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1. Paula
  
  August 28, 2014 at 12:51 pm
  
  Thank you, Colline.
  
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  1. Colline
    
    August 28, 2014 at 1:59 pm
    
    Managed to do a post for you this week: http://collinesblog.wordpress.com/2014/08/28/a-completed-crochet-project/
    
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    1. Paula
      
      August 28, 2014 at 9:00 pm
      
      A really impressive makeover, Colline 🙂 Creative and personal!
      
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Sue Slaght

August 28, 2014 at 6:03 am

She does look much better Paula. all a bit over my head with my point and shoot I confess.

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1. Paula
  
  August 28, 2014 at 12:45 pm
  
  Thank you for your comment Sue.
  
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M-R

August 28, 2014 at 6:27 am

Agreed. You’d have to be bonkers not to think the second one an improvement. But am in some doubt about a thinggy with a shape to use on photos ! [grin]

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1. Paula
  
  August 28, 2014 at 7:06 am
  
  I dare not think what it might remind you of 😀
  
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ledrakenoir

August 28, 2014 at 7:37 am

Girls… 😀 😀

Impressively lifelike – there are also beautiful dolls I can see… 🙂

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1. Paula
  
  August 28, 2014 at 8:36 am
  
  😀 Thank you for the visit and comment, Drake 🙂 🙂
  
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Makeover illusions | Le Drake Noir

August 28, 2014 at 8:27 am

[…] from the always worth visiting Paula’s Thursday’s Special *non-theme*: […]

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Debbie Smyth

August 28, 2014 at 8:50 am

It definitely worked. Was it easier than making the adjustments in Lightroom without the gadget’s help?

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1. Paula
  
  August 28, 2014 at 8:53 am
  
  No, not at all 😀 They claim it should be easier, but it is more accurate than relying on my own perception. To be honest I have only used it twice. When I go out I forget to use it and then outside in the lighting conditions that are beyond my control and changing all the time it would be much work…. Thanks, Debbie 🙂
  
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Hungry Swans | Travel with Intent

August 28, 2014 at 8:52 am

[…] Linked to Thursday Special. […]

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Debbie Smyth

August 28, 2014 at 8:53 am

Here is my special for the week: http://travelwithintent.com/2014/08/28/hungry-swans-queen-mute/

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Never Stop Farting | artishorseshit

August 28, 2014 at 9:37 am

[…] This is my entry for Paula’s challenge: https://bopaula.wordpress.com/2014/08/28/thursdays-special-makeover/ […]

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76sanfermo

August 28, 2014 at 10:13 am

You know it’s all Greek for me , nonetheless I prefer the second Estella…..
H&K , dear Paula!

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1. Paula
  
  August 28, 2014 at 10:23 am
  
  Tanti abbracci per te Anna e anche i baci 🙂
  
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Cardinal Guzman

August 28, 2014 at 10:20 am

I’ve never heard of a SpyderCube, but I can see that it makes a big difference on the final result. On this particular subject I think that I prefer the warmer tones in the before picture, even if the after one is more correct and natural. But it’s always better to get the correct settings in the shot and then add warmer tones in the post-processing. So, to sum it up: very useful cube.

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1. Paula
  
  August 28, 2014 at 10:22 am
  
  I am very pleased with your review :D. Honestly Max, your evaluation of my original warm editing is really comforting to hear 🙂 Thank your for “farting” post. You have no idea how much I appreciate it 😀 xx
  
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  1. Cardinal Guzman
    
    August 28, 2014 at 10:31 am
    
    Thanks, the farting poster fits for your “makeover” theme.
    
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    1. Paula
      
      August 28, 2014 at 10:33 am
      
      Absolutely, and it is very clever and humorous of you 🙂 Takk!
      
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restlessjo

August 28, 2014 at 12:07 pm

I wouldn’t say better, but definitely more natural, which is very funny when it comes to the trouble you took to achieve that, Paula! She is one beautiful lady, nevertheless. I was waiting for another ‘doll’ post so I’m very happy 🙂
Good music, of course!

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1. Paula
  
  August 28, 2014 at 12:11 pm
  
  Ta
  
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Lignum Draco

August 28, 2014 at 12:22 pm

It does make a difference. I’d never heard of this gadget before but it sounds interesting.

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1. Paula
  
  August 28, 2014 at 4:25 pm
  
  🙂 I was a bit reluctant, but I liked the changes after it. It wasn’t expensive (I don’t remember the price) and I find it useful for my home experiments :). Still I wish I could put some decent light when I take pics to have a proper mini studio (dream on Paula :D)
  
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  1. Lignum Draco
    
    August 28, 2014 at 10:33 pm
    
    One of those cheap 5 in 1 folding reflectors is a good start.
    
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jensine

August 28, 2014 at 1:34 pm

what a nifty little thing

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1. Paula
  
  August 28, 2014 at 8:59 pm
  
  🙂 Thank you
  
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A Completed Crochet Project | Colline's Blog

August 28, 2014 at 1:58 pm

[…] post is linked to Paula’s Thursday’s Special […]

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Ese’ s Voice

August 28, 2014 at 8:47 pm

Your recently obtained gadget sounds interesting, Paula, and I really like the “after” result. More natural I think, with a stronger feeling of reality, being present in the moment the photo has been taken.
PS: Enjoyed the music…I always do on your posts… 🙂

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1. Paula
  
  August 28, 2014 at 9:05 pm
  
  I usually have problems getting the colours right in post-processing. The first Estella has a red glow about her. This helped me get it right 🙂 I am happy to see you again, Ese. The music is from Nip/tuck tv show 😉
  
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  1. Ese’ s Voice
    
    August 28, 2014 at 9:25 pm
    
    Yes, the red-ish glow does change not only Estella but also the whole feeling about the photo. Reminds me of the time when, taking photos of children, had to be aware of absence of any colour glows in general – especially vital with the blond ones. 🙂
    It is always wonderful to be back and enjoy your original perception of life and things around. I have been meaning to write once again (since after I had finished and posted it the first time, WordPress had played some trick and the comment had disappeared) a comment about your absolutely fascinating “The Spirit of Wisdom” post before you left for holidays… My first impression was a very strong, indescribable presence of the times of Musketeers from Duma’ s novels. Very beautiful, classy, yet adventurous. 🙂
    
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    1. Paula
      
      August 29, 2014 at 10:49 am
      
      This is a very interesting and amusing analogy for me, Ese. You have made me smile. I guess the three matches reminded you of swords 😀 Much obliged for your nice words 🙂
      
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hilarycustancegreen

August 28, 2014 at 11:44 pm

I have to admit that the before post caught my eye first, because of the glow about it. I can see that the second is more natural. I guess it depends what you want to use the photo for. They are both very striking.

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anotherday2paradise

August 29, 2014 at 9:46 am

I love both images, Paula. It would be an impossibility for Estella not to look beautiful. 🙂 Very haunting music today. Have a great weekend. xx

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1. Paula
  
  August 29, 2014 at 11:00 am
  
  You have my heartfelt thanks Sylvia, and thank you again for that brilliant “alcoholic” post :lol:. Estella is a pretty, but cold number, I have other favourites 😉 I am not sure if you are familiar with the TV show about plastic surgeons Nip/Tuck – this music is the score ;). xx
  
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  1. anotherday2paradise
    
    August 29, 2014 at 1:14 pm
    
    No, I haven’t seen the show. Am I really missing out? 😕
    
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    1. Paula
      
      August 29, 2014 at 1:21 pm
      
      Nope, not if you don’t want to see fake boobs, stretched skin, a couple of handsome doctors and a lot of stitching and bruising 😀 Don’t worry Sylvia 🙂
      
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Walking on Sunshine | Love Happy Notes – Daily Fun and Inspiration

August 30, 2014 at 12:56 am

[…] Thursday’s Special […]

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Madhu

September 1, 2014 at 1:48 pm

Had never heard of the gadget Paula…..there is a definite difference in the second image. A more even dispersion of light.
Would never have guessed the lovely music was the score for a movie about plastic boobs!!! 😀

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1. Paula
  
  September 1, 2014 at 1:54 pm
  
  I agree with you about the light. I like that song, Madhu, and that tv series was a good drama. Plastic seems to be the main material of our era be it in our bodies (not that it is in mine or will ever be God forbid some accident), or in packaging, or even in our general attitude towards people and the world. It is becoming disposable….
  
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Emilio Pasquale

September 3, 2014 at 4:11 am

I’m sorry but I do not agree with any one who has already commented. I do not think the second looks better. I think she looks dull and not very well lit at all. The before shot is so much better, more colorful! If any thing you might have reduced the red saturation a bit but whatever you ended up doing made the image mediocre at best! Still, I enjoyed the discussion! **LIKE**

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1. Paula
  
  September 3, 2014 at 6:51 am
  
  😆
  
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  1. Emilio Pasquale
    
    September 5, 2014 at 12:52 am
    
    Paula,I received notice of this reply from bumbartusti to my comment above and was thinking about it all day. I think I have been insulted but I’m not sure. I came back to reply and realized that it was your post I had been responding to, not this unknown person’s- which now changes the entire obsessive/compulsive thing I was going through in my mind. Maybe I came off a bit pompous in my comment, but it was to you. There is a certain amount of familiarity between us, I think. And I hope you know I did not mean it in a mean way. But now I’m being called names and my “pictures”(bumbartusti says they are not photos) are being called into question. Then he/she ends the comment with “No hard feelings”? Are you serious? The feelings I have right now could put me away for a long, long time if I acted upon them. Good thing I’m a pacifist. And a vegetarian. Now that I’ve confessed that, my manhood will probably come into question too! Thanks for letting me vent. You can erase this if you like. I’m still not sure whether or not to reply to this person or not! e.p.
    
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    1. Paula
      
      September 5, 2014 at 10:09 am
      
      I am sorry it had such a strong impact on you. I did not like your comment Emilio, but I did not erase it as you are entitled to your own opinion and taste. It is your prerogative. I have a policy of my own. I am very careful not to hurt anyone’s feelings when I visit other blogs and I restrain myself from criticism – and I don’t do it to be popular or liked, I do it cause I don’t see any point in offending someone or making them feel bad. Your comment did not offend me, but I did not think much of it either.
      
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      1. Emilio Pasquale
        
        September 5, 2014 at 4:03 pm
        
        I guess you learn something new every day. About yourself, I mean. I understand what you are saying and, again, apologize. I was wrong. If I would not say something to someone face to face, why would I say it in this venue? I felt, at first, like I was the wronged person here but now feel as if the criticism was justified. I will have to adopt your policy and restrain from criticism in the future.Again, I did not mean to offend you or make you feel bad. I was being pompous, cocky, and an ass.
        
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        Paula
        
        September 5, 2014 at 5:11 pm
        
        Don’t exaggerate Emilio. There is a big kid in you and most of the time I find it charming 🙂
        
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2. bumbartusti
  
  September 4, 2014 at 12:48 pm
  
  Hi Emilio!!
  
  I don’t comment often, but your comment just forced me to do so.
  My first thought was “oh well everyone is entitled to their opinion”, but then I wasted some more time thinking about your comment and I said to myself “He totally missed the point of this post”
  This short article was to demonstrate how to get correct colors, white balance and exposure by using a small device called Spider CUBE by datacolor prior to editing.
  Then your second sentence especially the words “more colorful!” got me thinking “what’s wrong here” and I decided to have a look at what is going on on your site, what kind of photographs you are producing. After a few clicks of the mouse I was enlightened and I understood the core of your comment.
  I said to myself “Ah, another nuclear Joe”. This is the comment that I use to describe pictures that look like there is ATOMIC-BOMB going off in near proximity or if pictures look like scenes from some third rate post apocalyptic film. Do not get me wrong I’m not a critic, but for me more natural look is more pleasing. I hate when colors are screaming for attention, it is as if someone was using all capital letters in their post. All that screaming is ruining an interesting scene in your “pictures” (they are not photographs), IR look and nuclear sky in old gas station, cartoon look of screaming orange truck, lady liberty moments before being caught in nuclear blast or screaming yellow sands.
  Before you say something is wrong with my monitor settings I’ll correct you because my monitor is calibrated and I see colors as you intended us to see them.
  
  If you post process your pictures intentionally this way I’m sorry and the same rule applies to me “to each his own”, but in the future I would restrain myself from advising others on how to post process their images. We do not need another “Nuclear Joe/Jane” and there is only one Andy Warhol.
  
  If you are interested in getting better, more realistic photographs go to datacolor site (there is a free e-book) and read a bit about color management.
  
  This is my two cents.
  No hard feelings
  Best regards
  
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  1. Paula
    
    September 4, 2014 at 1:01 pm
    
    Now, I really like the turn this discussion has taken. Thank you for taking time and looking at the other blogger’s site. I agree, everyone is entitled to their opinion and tastes, but they should be aware of that when going around and trying to impose their views and tastes on others. Your comment has made my day 🙂
    
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    1. Emilio Pasquale
      
      September 5, 2014 at 12:56 am
      
      And now I see this. I was not, nor would I ever, go around trying to impose my views and tastes. I apologize for coming off that way. I’ll be sitting in the corner over here, my tail between my legs!
      
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      1. Paula
        
        September 5, 2014 at 10:38 am
        
        Accepted
        
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3. Ruben Carmona
  
  September 12, 2014 at 10:56 am
  
  Well the thing here is, using such a tool is about having a correct white balance. So it’s not about what you like better, it’s about the right white balance as a start. Then you can edit your colours (and no longer the color temperature) and any other kind of Brightness/Contrast to get your desired results.
  
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  1. Paula
    
    September 12, 2014 at 11:33 am
    
    Thank you for commenting Ruben. Is there a site or a blog where I can follow you? Regards, Paula
    
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Black & White Sunday: Subject of Adoration | Lost in Translation

September 14, 2014 at 12:33 am

[…] I wrote about Estella on several occasions, captured portrait and full figure photos of her, and even made some fun experiments with her images, but the post that generated the most interesting feedback was the Makeover. […]

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thehappyhugger

September 29, 2014 at 3:09 pm

I love porcelain dolls, this one is beautiful. I like the photo because of how you took it 🙂 The second one is softer ❤

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1. Paula
  
  September 29, 2014 at 3:16 pm
  
  Thanks a lot, Michelle. I forgot to link Lady Chatterley I am afraid. You can see her in Absolute beauty post 😉 Thank you for you time and interest 🙂
  
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