Retouching AP images

[KarbonBird]

I see there has been some discussion of retouching techniques from some of the pilots here with excellent results.

I would be interested in hearing from these experts as to process followed to produce "Magazine Cover" pics that we have seen on display here.

Perhaps there is a standard process followed to start the ball rolling - such as lightening shadows, sharpening etc? Some of the shots we have seen also have the colours really stand out - like grass etc which is quite amazing...

[DebianDog]

Well if the shot is perfect you do not need any :lol:

I use Aperture for all my pics.
http://www.apple.com/aperture/

[DebianDog]

Oh this is a good post processing forum
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=18

Basically the "standard" is:
- Crop
- Color correction
- Sharpening

Monitor calibration is a must!

[KarbonBird]

Thanks for that DebianDog ... looks like a good site!! Would you say that most shots need at least some work done on them? BTW do you know how they get the colours like grass etc enhaced??

[Ziggy2711]

Karbonbird,

Hey there. I am in no way an expert heli pilot, but I am a professional photographer with a speciality in photo enhancement (for portratis, etc.)

If you are serious about image manipulation and want something that can do anything and everything, you will need to purchase Adobe Photoshop. There is no other program better. If you are on a budget, you can purchase Adobe Photoshop Elements. This is just a watered down version of the main Photoshop program.

If I shoot a famiy portrait session against a green grass, water, etc., I select the color channel (let's say green for the grass) and increase the saturation slighty. It's that easy. There is a tad more to it (such as if someone/something is also green in the image) but I'll stick to the short answer. You can also adjust images using the curves feature easily if under/overexposed, etc.

Another main outdoor enhancement I do is for cloudy days. People love sunny days (unless the client specificaly wants a dark, overcast look). If overcast, I use a photoshop filter that simulates the warmth of the sun. I can go on, but I'll stop and give you an example.

Oh yeah, as stated before your monitor must be accurately calibrated so your prints are true to what you see on your screen. I'm sure what you see with my images below will not be exactly what I see on my computer since our monitors are not calibrated the same.

[KarbonBird]

Thanks for the infor Ziggy2711...

I have Photoshop - what filter does you use in PS for the warm sun effect?

[WillJames]

WOW BIG Difference Ziggy2711

I have PS2 and would be interested to pick you brain once I have some aerial photos to do.

Thank you!!

[Hotshot Charlie]

Will, I work primarily with PS CS2 and will be glad to exchange info. I shoot all in RAW and us Adobe Camera Raw to convert my photos. I try to do most of my work in the shooting of the photos and not the manipulating of them after they are shot, but I love the ability that PS gives you.

Also, Dan, I hear Apple Aperture is GREAT ! I am going to visit another photographer next week that shoots furniture layouts and check his setup out. He uses Mac's and Aperture.

BTW, my website is: www.robgardnerphotography.com

Later guys !

[DebianDog]

I love Aperture! and it exports to and from PS with ease for those times you want something special.

I just took this one last week at Reptileland. I am kind of fond of it. The only thing that ruins it is the florescent bulb in his eye.

[KarbonBird]

I love Aperture! and it exports to and from PS with ease for those times you want something special.

I just took this one last week at Reptileland. I am kind of fond of it. The only thing that ruins it is the florescent bulb in his eye.Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 10:38 am Post subject: Reply with quote

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I love Aperture! and it exports to and from PS with ease for those times you want something special.

I just took this one last week at Reptileland.

Just brilliant ... if you hadn't mention the flouro I would have guessed that it was a reflection from the water!!!

[Hotshot Charlie]

Cool shot, Dan !!! I like it, bulb and all !

[AZ ChopperCam]

Aperature has all the goodies that I have available to me for video in Discreet Flint. Lots of control over individual channels.

after looking at Aperature more I'm amazed at how much the interface resembles Flint. Flint's been around since the early 90's so looks like imitation is the best form of flattery

[MLaBoyteaux]

Hey, nice photo. I was editing some photos this morning and browsing the Freak. The wife thought it was a neat photo, too. She's finally getting interested in photography and has been going out on shoots with me.

Anyway, cool photo.
:glasses:
Mark


I love Aperture! and it exports to and from PS with ease for those times you want something special.

I just took this one last week at Reptileland. I am kind of fond of it. The only thing that ruins it is the florescent bulb in his eye.

[Ziggy2711]

Karbonbird,

The filter I use should be in Photoshop if you have CS (or CS2). Go to "Image" then "Adjustments" then "Photofilter." Make sure "preserve luminosity" is checked. An easier (and better, safer) way to do this is to select an adjustment layer at the bottom of your layers palette and select it there. This will enable you to save the file as a psd and will allow you to change the effect if you or the client do not agree on the final print.


WillJames: Let me know if you have any quetions, anytime! I would be happy to share what I know and don't know. Just know that you don't have to shoot RAW images. If you take the time and care to set up the shot in the beginning, you won't need it. Even if you do mess something up, jpeg's can always be fixed. I only use RAW for formal shots at weddings since a lot of families and guests order them and the b & g order them really huge.

Debian: Great image and great photography! If you don't like the light in the eye, take it out! I do this (realistically) all the time in pageant headshots. In one family portrait image, I had to replace an arm and in another, a head! :D With your permission, would you mind me taking a stab at it and reposting? If not, I understand since it is your work. Let me know.

[Hotshot Charlie]

Hey Ziggy,

Raw is the only way to go for everything.... in my opinion. By going RAW, you can save in Tif or Jpeg, you have all options available and never touch the original shot.

I'm just a total fan of Raw. I also have made layers and done the work in PS, but find I like Adobe Camera Raw easier and faster to work with.

And, no you don't have to shoot in Raw, but if you have the capibility, why not? If you don't have Raw capiblity, thats another matter.

Just my opinion, I will shut up now. :shock: :)

[Ziggy2711]

Hey Rob! That's cool. I have been to seminar after seminar, discussion after discussion, and read info on the same battle between shooting raw and jpeg. The way I see it is "tomato" or tomata."

To respond, I don't think raw is the "only way to go for everything" as you stated. I do think it is an option, but not the "only" way. For example, I make 24x36 inch prints for clients on professional kodak paper and it looks tack sharp, with a perfect exposure. You would never be able to tell if I shot it RAW or jpeg if you saw it. With my method, I spend a lot less time at the computer instead of changing the exposure, white balance, etc. as people do with RAW. That means more time doing other things to bring in more $ and more time enjoying the world of photography. I guess I'm in a believer in doing what's easiest and fastest as long as you get the exposure right in the beginning.

Also, you can save images as a Tiff or Jpeg as you shoot RAW, but then you are taking up a lot more space on your card, reducing the numbers of images you can take. Given certain situationas (weddings), you might miss a crucial moment as you are changing cards or as the image is being buffered into the card memory.

On the flip side, RAW might be favorable if shooting in manual mode of your DSLR with a partly cloudy day. If your exposure is set and then you have sudden loss of light (clouds roll over) or sudden brightness (sun comes back out from clouds) it could dramatically change the exposure. This is a big enemy on my outdoor on-location photoshoots. That would be the only reason I can think of to shoot raw. However, I still won't use it as it is a waste of time.

Like you, just my opinion. :smokin:

[Hotshot Charlie]

Opinions and different ways of doing things is how we learn from one another. I appreciate your style and hey, if it works for you, I know it's less work. If my workload picks up, I may end up doing the same thing your doing, but right now, I like my computer work and feel good about the product I produce for the client.... as I'm sure you feel the same way.

Again.... did you say, tomato or was that tomata??? heheheee :mrgreen: :smokin:

[fitenfyr]

Hey Dan,

What tube???? :D :D

http://www.jasonstiffey.com/images/misc/GatorEyeedited.jpg
It is a great shot. You should be proud of that one.

Hope you don't mind I "fixed" it for you....
Very hasty job and you can still see the "fix", but I thought I would show off a bit. :D :D :D

Another example of the power of CS. :D

A bit of healing brush and cloning tool and your tube is all gone. :D

I shoot 100% in RAW. I enjoy the post production latitude without a loss of quality.
I also don't care for the in camera adjustments that most do when shooting JPG.
Also I like the additional latitude that RAW gives me when layering backgrounds or balancing the exposure without having to setup a bunch of strobes or hot lights.

[DebianDog]

I shoot RAW too but it exports out of Aperture as a 16 bit PSD. Here is my attempt. I left a bit of reflection in there for effect.

I spend a lot less time at the computer instead of changing the exposure, white balance, etc. as people do with RAW.

I think the goal is to shoot it perfect and if you do... you need no adjustments. BUT if you do need to adjust RAW give you A LOT MORE LATITUDE to make adjustments.

[Hotshot Charlie]

I think the goal is to shoot it perfect and if you do you need no adjustments. BUT

That's the key, Dan. Heck, we all make mistakes.... I'm good at that.... but the Raw does help if it happens.

Nice job, Jason and Dan on the "gator" !

[spork]

That's the key, Dan. Heck, we all make mistakes....

I'm anything but a professional photog, but I'll chime in nonetheless.

1) Some folks consider the computer side of digital photog to be a big part of the art. Depending on what effect you're going for I tend to agree. You don't have to make a mistake in the photo to want to do cool things with it on the computer. There's no such thing as cheating. You just make the best image you can.

2) For people that want to do some of the very basics they might want to try IrfanView. It's really intended as a picture viewer, but it does allow you to control the color channels, adjust gamma, saturation, contrast, remove red-eye... And it's FREE! It is not intended in anyway to compete with photoshop - but I find it indispensable.

3) What's a "tube"? I guess I'm a dullard, but I can't find the change made in the photo (GREAT photo by the way).

EDIT:

On further inspection I think you're talking about a reflection in the eye?

[Ziggy2711]

tomato

[DebianDog]

On further inspection I think you're talking about a reflection in the eye?

;)

[spork]

WOW - I am a dullard. I see now that you actually said that in your original post. DOH!

[Hotshot Charlie]

Tomato here also, Ziggy !! :smokin: