This is the original image:
I took this photograph with a Canon 7D and an 18-270mm lens zoomed in to 65mm. I used 1/250th shutter speed with f-32 for better sharpness. I also used ISO 125 for less noise.
A Canon Speedlite 580EX II was firing above the subject at 1/64th power.
As you can see, this image is rather dark, lacking contrast, and is not very attractive at all. I started working on the image in Adobe Camera Raw, where I adjusted the exposure, brightness, blacks, contrast, fill light, clarity and vibrance. I then went into Photoshop for more detailed control.
