Learning How to Make Eyes Pop

When I first began this journey into photography, I thought "how hard can this be? I've always loved photography and now I can take it a step further."  Well, that's true to a point but you do have to learn editing as well.  I haven't touched Photoshop for almost 20 years so it's all new to me.  I am having to learn it all over again.  I refuse to just shoot pictures and accept that as ... here it is.  I wanted to expand my knowledge, learn to turn my photography into art.  I wanted to make my portraits to be those everyone wanted taken.  You have to know Photoshop to take that extra step.  So, I have purchased books on Photoshop, I have taken an editing class (though to be honest I didn't feel I learned much in it.) and I have set myself a schedule.  I have to learn 3-5 new things every day.  No pressure right? But I am learning and the more I do the more familiar I become with Photoshop.  Tonight I'm posting the before and after of one of the lessons I learned this week.  One that I feel will be beneficial to portrait photography.  This is all about learning how to make eyes stand out.  My husband's eye is my model.

BEFORE

AFTER

Do you see the difference?  When done in a portrait, it's amazing.  It gives that three dimensional look.  I love the effect.  I'll be practicing it a bit more before I actually use it professionally.  

Until Later ... Debbie