Some processing fun

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AliB

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Had some fun today processing a few images from a shoot I did with DiddyDave a couple of weeks ago. (I'm still trying to forget what HE posted! :))

I think this one is my fave so far :)

5107800490_e923286391.jpg
 
I love the light in the shot, the bride stands out beautifully and suits the mono conversion perfectly!
 
A very nice shot and processing, lovely.
 
That is awesome Ali!!!!!!!, can I ask what the lighting and EXIF is please?
 
Of course Simon, I just went and wrote it down! It's on a different PC :)

1/200 sec f2.8 ISO 1250 Nikon D700 with a 24-70 f2.8 @24mm (although I did crop it slightly) All shot entirely in natural light.

PP wise, rather a lot but all very simple :)
First step was a little bit of extra light on the bride as I knew I wanted her to stand out so I have an action for "digital fill flash" (Kevin Kubota) and it lets me put a little more light where I want it.
Then into Nik ColourFX and an action called "Midnight" Darkens the heck out of the whole image, then I erased the effect off the bride and lowered the opacity of the layer a little so there is still enough background but now there is that real separation between the two.
Last was the B&W conversion which is a Jeff Ascough Action called "Silk stocking" which really punches the whites up.
Quick sharpen and it's done in about 5-8 mins :)

Other than painting in the light bits and erasing the dark bits, it's basically half a dozen clicks of a mouse. (Translates as "I spend weeks in the digital darkroom perfecting my art darling!" ;)
 
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martyp said:
Seeing it large made a big difference, I just zoomed the page 150% in internet explorer. That really is a cracking photograph! :clap:
Click to expand...

Thanks Martin, it has made it into my portfolio :) Printed it up A3 and other than using a bucket load of black ink it's making me smile :)

Might actually have it done at DSCL on pearl paper, I think metallic might suit it. :thinking:
 
As above, it's beautiful.

Have been playing myself today with B&W conversions, still can't crack it...
 
AliB said:
Of course Simon, I just went and wrote it down! It's on a different PC :)

1/200 sec f2.8 ISO 1250 Nikon D700 with a 24-70 f2.8 @24mm (although I did crop it slightly) All shot entirely in natural light.

PP wise, rather a lot but all very simple :)
First step was a little bit of extra light on the bride as I knew I wanted her to stand out so I have an action for "digital fill flash" (Kevin Kubota) and it lets me put a little more light where I want it.
Then into Nik ColourFX and an action called "Midnight" Darkens the heck out of the whole image, then I erased the effect off the bride and lowered the opacity of the layer a little so there is still enough background but now there is that real separation between the two.
Last was the B&W conversion which is a Jeff Ascough Action called "Silk stocking" which really punches the whites up.
Quick sharpen and it's done in about 5-8 mins :)

Other than painting in the light bits and erasing the dark bits, it's basically half a dozen clicks of a mouse. (Translates as "I spend weeks in the digital darkroom perfecting my art darling!" ;)
Click to expand...

LOL that's fantastic, thankyou very very much, beautiful image!!!!!
 
AliB said:
Thanks Martin, it has made it into my portfolio :) Printed it up A3 and other than using a bucket load of black ink it's making me smile :)

Might actually have it done at DSCL on pearl paper, I think metallic might suit it. :thinking:
Click to expand...

I think it would look awesome printed on aluminium !:clap::clap::clap:
 
Ah ha, finally, those actions look just what i'm after except my site isn't up and running yet so might prove a problem to buy.
 
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If this was only fun , would like to see what you do when you are serious. ;)
A cracking shoot, the lighting is fantastic.
 
Thanks again guys, like the fact you are likin' it :)

Kris, for B&W I use two methods, one is the Jeff Acough actions. I figure if they are good enough for one of the world's best then I can certainly put up with them!

The other is Silver FX from Nik and it depends on the subject which one I use. For people the Jeff Ascough ones are hard to beat. I've had them for a couple of years now and there is enough variety in there to suit most images. They are pretty open too so you can move the midpoint around and alter opacity to get them just right for your image.
HTH
 
Hi Ali, this is truly a stunningly beautiful image and thanks for sharing so much information. Perhaps I am not qualified to make improvement suggestions but I will anyway. I have just spent a few minutes admiring this picture, full size on my 24" monitor. My eye is constantly drawn towards a couple of white spots, one towards the bottom left corner the other is about two thirds down on the right hand side, looks like a tiny reflection on something. If I block them out it certainly improves the image IMO.

Hope you don't mind me pointing this out.

jeff
 
Course I don't Jeff :)

Thanks for taking so much time to look at it in such depth and it's easily fixable. It's the little things like that that can make so much difference.

Thank you :)
 
Yeah really liking these Ali. I have been leaning towards this sort of PP for quite some time now.
 
STUNNING! Can't stop looking at the swirls of material in her dress.. superb, Ali. (y)
 
That dress was a bargain! :)

£25 off ebay and the veil was £15.

Dave and I have worked with Branka (our model) before so I know what size she is and can happily buy stuff knowing it should be right :)

Really would like to do a "cherish" (nods at Chris Hanley who owns the trade mark) shoot in an hotel one day or glam it right up in a casino. Sadly those locations take a bit of work to procure and I really have not had the time.
 
Just for comparison purposes as I don't think Ali shot this with flash too - but I did - so this version is with an on-camera speedlight bounced off the wall behind me. I think without seeing Ali's I'd have liked this one, but it pails by comparison :crying:

Now to see Ali about those actions :D

DD

 
Hi Dave, that is also a stunning image, the only comment I have regarding the model, and that is in both pictures, is the left arm is too straight IMO, would like to have seen her hand gently placed on her dress giving a slight bend at the elbow.

jeff
 
Jeff.B said:
Hi Dave, that is also a stunning image, the only comment I have regarding the model, and that is in both pictures, is the left arm is too straight IMO, would like to have seen her hand gently placed on her dress giving a slight bend at the elbow.

jeff
Click to expand...

Hi Jeff - there is indeed a 'rule' that says 'If it bends bend it' - and I'm pretty sure we have some like that too :) I just picked mine to be as close as poss to Ali's - but to then show what flash would have done instead added to a different person's processing style; I think straight arms can work, but they usually have a bunch of flowers hanging from them when they do - perhaps we just forgot here!!!

Branka is an experienced model and flits from pose to pose at lightning speed, and she's a delight to work with too

DD
 
AliB, you should seriously look at taking up wedding photography ;)

Simply stunning shot.
 
DiddyDave said:
Hi Jeff - there is indeed a 'rule' that says 'If it bends bend it' - and I'm pretty sure we have some like that too :) I just picked mine to be as close as poss to Ali's - but to then show what flash would have done instead added to a different person's processing style; I think straight arms can work, but they usually have a bunch of flowers hanging from them when they do - perhaps we just forgot here!!!

Branka is an experienced model and flits from pose to pose at lightning speed, and she's a delight to work with too

DD
Click to expand...

Dave, Please don't think I am criticising, they are both beautiful images and an equally beautiful model. I have much to learn before I could create something as good as these. It was just an observation from what I have learned already.

Cheers

jeff
 
I can almost hear Mark Pearson screaming in my head "You don't find straight limbs in nature!" :) In the nicest possible way of course. ( I do love working with him honestly!)

I did notice it, utterly failed to correct it at the time and that is the second shot this year that I have done this with! I did wonder if it was possible to get away with this one because she is actually holding the fabric of the dress but agree it would be better without the straighter limb.

Guess who won't mess that one up again ;)
 
You don't find straight LINES in nature! not limbs lol

Love it :)
 
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