Portrait Collection gets a new look..

The People Collection in the main site gets a new image

 

 

I have been working on this image for a few hours today in between work on my Module. The image was shot as part of a series whilst I had the studio set up. The subject, ‘Matty’, has appeared before in the portfolio and being a black belt in his style of Karate, makes the shooting of the subject so much easier as it is not staged.

I have various images that I shot of him, of which some were ideal as test shots for another shoot I have planned shortly. More about this later though.

I wanted to produce something that wasn’t just to standard portrait shot taken in a studio, so I began to play around with the image a little. The workflow here was complicated due to the amount of layers and masks that I had to incorporate into it. I made the first audjustments in Lightroom 2 and then exported the image as a PSD into Photoshop CS4.

In PSCS4 in then began the work of cleaning up the image, skin tone, contrast and changes to the light. The easiest way to do this was to add a silver refelctor glow from camera left and drop the opacity down to 48%.

The main subject was altered first, duplicating the image and converting it to black and white through Nik Silver Efex Pro. I then dropped it ontop of the original, masked it and added a gradient fill from the top right showing the Silver Efex Filter underneath.

Using another duplicate I then altered the left eye by making adjustments to the Hue and Saturation Layer after making a selection with the Polygonal Lasso Tool and feathered the selction by 2 pixels.

Again, dropping this over the original, adding a mask and then using a paintbrush with a soft edge I painted in the eye colour.  I then made some general alterations to the skin colour and tone, adding some defintion to the muscle area. A hue and saturation levels adjustment was added to the hair following a selection with the Lasso Tool and then I dropped it back over the top of the image. I then painted with a hard brush bringing the new colour to the top layer.

To finish the image off I added a fence by bringing it into the image as the top layer, changed the image layer to multiply, showing the original underneath and then set about bringing out the detail of the fence. This was done by numerous layers set between overlay and multiply modes. I created the hole in the fence to show the main area of focus and then tidied it up. Back into Nik Colour Efex Pro and I added a white vignette filter dropping the opacity to all three layers I brought in. I then addeda mask to them all and painted back the inversion in deifferent flows and opacities.

Two unsharp mask filter were applied, one to the hair following a tonal contrast adjustment and then the other to the face and eyes. Flattened and exported. Set on a black card the image pops more than the standard white card.

I am working on some other images similar to this and once completed I will post them on the blog for comments and feedack.

Filed under: Collections, People

Lesson One – It’s all worth the waiting

A picture paints a thousand words…

 

 

 

The title says it all for this image and I cannot emphasise enough, the patience needed for me to take a shot like this. These creatures are extremely quick in movement, nervous and just don’t stand still long enough to get a decent composition. As I was shooting various angles of these creatures, I noticed this subject climbing into a position that was away from the main group. I ramped the lens upto 800mm and began to follow it.

After a time it had moved around the stage, gone up and down a few times and then parked itself facing away from the lens, I thought I would burst a few frames to see if I could manage to capture anything decent; unfortunatley nothing came of them. Then just as I was about to try another angle by moving the kit around, the subject turned. The image was one of those that I couldn’t believe was happening infront of me. It was as if it had said, look mate; get the shot and then go away and i’ll sit her for a few seconds so you can get it.

I burst with the shutter, Nikon D3, ISO 400, Sigma 300mm – 800mm f/5.6 at 9 frames per second on an 8GB Lexar Digital Media CF. Focusing on the eye which even at this distance on a monopod was difficult and more look than judgement, due to the sheer weight of the equipment.

The final image, 16.67 % of the original; just tells its own story, kept in cavity, a moment of sadness, call it what you will; just captures a moment that unless I was ready I am sure I wouldnt have got. The weeping of the right eye, adds to the story being told and the background consisting of the tree bark just finishes off that final contrast and shape that the image needed.

This image will be submitted as part of my Amateur Diploma, Module IX. If you have any comments on this image, then please leave them here on the blog for others to read.

 

 

 To conclude this working set another image of these amazing creatures. Yet again, shot with the Sigma 300mm – 800mm f/5.6, the composition was the main attraction with this frame.

 

 

Composition, foreground interest and contrast made me shoot this image above. At the moment I am working on all of these images for consideration as to whether they will be submitted as part of my final presentation for this specific module of the course. Any feedback is welcome and will be included on the site.

 

Filed under: Collections, Wildlife

Wildlife Catalogue is under construction

Amateur Diploma collection starts to build for the Wildlife Section

 

 

The above image is part of the diploma catalogue that I am currently working on for final submission to my Tutor. The image, taken with the Sigma 300mm -800mm f5.6 lens is part of a series of this animal. I have chosen this one as a favourite due to it’s composition and simplicity to view. The image throws the viewer to the obvious point of interest, providing both foreground and background and tends to leave the viewer in the image for that little bit longer. Adjustments were made to the original RAW file in LR2 and then it was edited in PS CS4, with adjustments to the curves, levels and contrast. To prevent too much of a distraction a filter was added to the top left hand side of the image blendng in just enough to avoid distraction to the main subject of the frame, the rotation and transition of this was important to be able to get the final image print I wanted.

The other images that form part of my final submissions will be posted here along with the workflow I have used.

Filed under: Collections, Wildlife

Studio Shoot goes into the People Collection

My first portable studio collection shooting tethered and straight into LR2.

 

 

This image was shot recently and is part of a project I am working on for understanding the principles of shooting in a studio. The studio idea was set up following numerous research on the subject matter and has all been self taught. I have been fascinated with the principle of lighting for some time and have found that the work I am either submitting or working on needs to be taken to the next level. This, I have found is all about the learning process and the wider subject knowledge criteria I need to be both confident and competent in my work.

The above image was shot using a white roll paper background set on a studio background stand. The subject, a black belt in karate was willing for me to take numerous shots in different poses, altering the shape of the light around him as we went.

I set the studio up using two addiitonal light sources to the available natural light that was coming both from around the sides and above. I did this by using two Nikon SB800 flash units controlled by the Nikon SU 800 command unit. Shot using the Nikon D3 and the Nikon 70mm 200mm f/2.8 lens, the flash units were set up as follows. The main light was off camera left about six feet away from the subject at a 45 degree angle to him and set high also about 45 degrees to the subject. This light was controlled by the use of a 110 cm transulent umbrella, which provided a nice soft light source to illuminate the subject.

The second SB800 was placed behind and inside a softbox, the lastolite hot shoe soft box, which works great with this type of set up. Both units were operated in ‘remote’ mode, the main light at half power, the fill light at one eigth power. The camera was set to manual mode aperture f/5.6 with a shutter speed of 1/60 second. I set the white balance on the camera to pre-defined by taking a reading from the position of the subject using an expo disc. I then set the cameras WB to this and began shooting. Incidently, ISO was set to 200.

This shot was cropped in close compared to most of the others and placed in landscape mode for the web, giving me a focal distance of 85mm. The main focal point was the eye nearest to the camera, which at the aperture setting blurred the left hand glove just the way I wanted it. Composition worked a treat for this shot and the viewer is automatically drawn to the clarity and sharpness of the eye.

I am currently working on some other images from this collection and will get them posted as soon as the workflow is completed. I will then give you the opportunity to read about the workflow I used for these images and more importantly how I softened the skin, brough more contrast to the face and applied the unsharp mask filters to the final image.

For a larger view, visit my main portfolio galley by using this link

Filed under: Collections, People

Wildlife gets a new subject…(and a new lens)

Introducing the Mother of all lenses,

 

 

An image captured recently following some work I am completing on a Wildlife Module for my AP Diploma. Although this image will not be part of the final submission, it is part of the notes sections, where I am giving some thoughts and ideas as to the subject matter and what I wish to achieve.

The image above has been placed through my typical workflow with no cropping. I was concious and tried to practice getting the composition correct in the lens. this itself is challenging with a fast moving subject that just won’t stand still long enough.

Shot with the Nikon D3 and a new Sigma 300mm – 800mm f/5.6 lens, (that’s right); this lens just needed to be tested out. An immense lens offering possibilites that I could only wonder about beforehand. Shooting wildlife has been a challenge itself and given me yet more things to consider when I do this type of shoot. My nearest lens to this monster is the Nikon 80mm – 400mm f/4.5 VR, whilst in itslef is an amazing unit, sometimes it’s just not long enough to get where I want.

I spent a day photographing other wildlife with this lens and I will post some of the images I captured with the lens on the Blog. Using a Manfrotto 055MF4 tripod, I set the D3 to Aperture Priority, ISO 320 at f/5.6, shutter speed 1/750 sec and a focal length of 700mm.

I am still working through the keepers and trash that I collected, but more on this later. As I have said before, alot of photos taken on the shoot don’t make it through the selection process and as I shot the day in RAW with a bracketing compensation of -1.0EV each side of the burst, the digital film soon became full.

Other images in this shoot will be posted shortly and you will see by the focal length of the lens, it gave me photo opportunites I just couldn’t get before. It has, I am pleased to say, also given me a greater interest in wildlife photography, knowing and appreciating the type of images I can capture.

 

Filed under: Collections, Wildlife

Weeks wrap up….

Framing the Shot.

 

 

I’ve posted another image that I have had just sitting in the collections folder within LR2, so thought that I best do the alterations and get the image published. I used the new features within LR2 to alter the exposure compensation using the brush tool and I gotta tell you, it’s quick accurate and saves alot of time taking the image over into CS3 and doing the aterations in there. I am still using the new features but already have added this to my list of essential alterations within my raw workflow.

That aside, I’m off on a shoot this weekend, so will get some of the images posted when I return. I am going to try and get too seperate shoots in with two different subject matter, one of them is for completion for a module inside the Diploma. All will become more apparent when the images are posted.

Filed under: Collections, Series

Some more images for the Mediterranean Street Collection…

Mediterranean Streets get some new members

 

 

   

 

A few more images to look at, taken on the photowalk mentioned earlier. Both simple images, but effective and obvious focal points make the images pop for me. Again emphasis seems to be placed on the picture post card feel to them and perhaps these types of images are best suited for that purpose.

All the above images were captured using the Nikon D3 and the 24mm – 70mm f/2.8 lens. A circular polariser (77mm was fitted). ISO 200 in Aperture Priority Mode. Workflow was typical for these images. Imported into Lightroom 2, opened up as smart objects in CS3 where the raw images were altered some more. Lab Channel conversion, with minor alterations in the B channels. Some small healing brush work for the sky, various filters applied and then some unsharp mask in the luminosity channel. The images were then reduced for web in sRGB, framed and imported.

Alternatively, I am currently researching these type of images to be included into a calendar for 2009. Once I get the basic template design up and running I will post the results for you to see here.

Filed under: Collections, Series

New Series gets another street image…

 

A quick post to finish the day off. Another picture postcard image taken near the church image submitted in the main portfolio. The original image was fairly washed out, however by placing it in CS3 and making some hue adjustments to the door, applying some ND Filters and burning the pavement to add contrast that the original sadly lacked, the final image seems quite pleasing. Again, a simple composition, easy colours, but effective nevertheless. A slight alterations to the curves and levels adjustments and then a final unsharp mask, exported as a jpeg and bingo, workflow done.

Filed under: Collections, Series

Landscape view…

 

A picture postcard view from the hillsides of a hidden village about 12 kilometres north east of the Paphos. I captured this view witht he Nikon D3 placed ontot he Manfrotto Tripod that I bought for the trip. A new lightweight design was needed as the heavy studio items had to be left behind.

Shot with the Nikon 24mm – 70mm f/2.8 at F22, 1/125 sec at ISO 200, the image was taken from its RAW state in Lightroom 2 and placed into Photogshop CS3 as a smart object. I then converted it to the Lab Channels and made small alterations to the curves and levels adjustment panels and then offered it into Nik Software Plug In’s. In there I tried a few variations of the image, but ended up ramping up the contrast, added a slight filter for the sky and then darkened the edges somewhat to bring attention to the centre.

A final sharpenin for sRGB, framed and then uploaded, gives you the image you see infront of you. A pleasing image to view where I find the compostion natural assisted by the use of lines leading the viewer into the picture.

 

Filed under: Collections, Landscape

Portrait Image…with a bit of sRGB, CMYK and .icc thrown in…

 

 

The image above has been created as part of a portfolio catalogue placed together for the personal use of the subject above. Hannah, as previously shown in other pictures published, is extremely helpful when it comes to taking images and practicing the techniques I need to allow me to not only experiment with different lighting methods and scenery, but also to try different settings and equipment. Submitting this publication for the blog has itself been an excellent example of how after all this time I have managed to distinguish between the different colour profiles, the different .icc profiles that are custom to my Epson 4800 Pro. 

I have for some time been trying to have my monitors, printers and web space all agree on the same profiles, this is one of those subject matters that has baffled and bewildered photographers and designers for ages.

Calibration is the first step, that is calibration of the monitor. I have been doing this for a few years now and the profiles created do vary from time to time. The Spyder 2 Pro is the hardware I use and there are many tutorials out there that give you the step by step instructions you need to achieve this. The printer I use is an Epson 4800 Pro, the ultrachrome ink is astonishing and the image reproduction is excellent. The problems have always been between what you see on the monitor and what you see on the final print. I do not convert my images to CMYK and send them to pre-press for production, although this is something that I will progress some time in the future.

Filed under: Collections, People, Updates