sjordan2 Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 (edited) Whether it's Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, or a wide variety of good (and cheaper) photo editing software, you can save a lot of agony by doing the best lighting you can up front. I remember, back in the day, when I worked with an ad agency art director who had once been in charge of shooting the Mercedes-Benz catalogs; at the time, Mercedes prohibited ANY retouching on the photos of their cars, and this was in the early 70s before computer retouching was available. To get the perfect shots, the agency and photographer had a large staff of people to set up lighting and were continually polishing and dusting the cars. That was particularly tough if you had a location in the mountains or desert, where dust was flying and light conditions were changing by the minute -- especially during the preferred "Golden Hour," when the sun was close to setting at a lower angle, and the colors were warmer on the background. But even on location, the cars had heavy lighting, with scrims and reflectors all around. And it all had to be done so you didn't see equipment and people reflected in the car's paint or chrome. Edited February 14, 2012 by sjordan2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Cranky Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 Skip, what you are describing so beautifully in the above passage suddenly makes me think that it would make sure a great scene or diorama, a Mercedes in the desert being photographed by a whole bunch of people. That would be so cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Doan Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 I enjoy playing around with filters and other effects on my model photos: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMc Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 Light....You can learn it....though it takes years to understand it....If you want to learn lighting, set up some crystal and a number of different backgrounds....I shot over 500 negatives years ago, the way the light falls, fills, and shows details is the key...now with digital....lot less expense and also quicker. Photoshop can pull details out of under and over exposed images...in fact HDR images use all modes combined....almost like the "Zone System" in old B&W days....full tonal range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjordan2 Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 Light....You can learn it....though it takes years to understand it....If you want to learn lighting, set up some crystal and a number of different backgrounds....I shot over 500 negatives years ago, the way the light falls, fills, and shows details is the key...now with digital....lot less expense and also quicker. Photoshop can pull details out of under and over exposed images...in fact HDR images use all modes combined....almost like the "Zone System" in old B&W days....full tonal range. Yes, I love those HDR images, very revolutionary in the capabilities of today's photography. I bet you were among the old school of photographers who used a bank of strobe lights and had to wait until the transparencies were processed to see what you got, without getting an immediate look on a laptop. I've always been amazed at the capabilities of pros who use strobes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Cranky Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 Those are great shots, Chuck. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kit Basher Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 I'm just starting to play around with PS Elements. Obviously, I have a lot to learn. It is fun, tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMc Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 Yes, I love those HDR images, very revolutionary in the capabilities of today's photography. I bet you were among the old school of photographers who used a bank of strobe lights and had to wait until the transparencies were processed to see what you got, without getting an immediate look on a laptop. I've always been amazed at the capabilities of pros who use strobes. Nope we used Polaroid backs for test shots......then got out the chromes I still have my Flash Meter....never had to guess on exposure even when adding or subtracting heads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darin Bastedo Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Speaking of Photoshop, Here is some fun I had with a picture of My Daughter and her boyfriend before their winter formal... With this in mind, what us to stop someone with similar skills from entering a photo contest like the Revell/Gearz contest and using photo shop to fix a glue mark, over-spray or other slight imperfection on their model before submitting the photo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry P. Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 So those would be "formal" Chuck Taylors? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Cranky Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 LOL, ah, the fun continues . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darin Bastedo Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 (edited) So those would be "formal" Chuck Taylors? What's so funny? I got married in all black Converse High-Tops! BTW I'm not really that fat...The camera adds ten pounds, and there were at least a dozen pointed at me, so that's what? 120 pounds? Edited February 15, 2012 by Darin Bastedo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjordan2 Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 What's so funny? I got married in all black Converse High-Tops! BTW I'm not really that fat...The camera adds ten pounds, and there were at least a dozen pointed at me, so that's what? 120 pounds? So where are the baptizing shots in the pond? I bet you look even skinnier soaking wet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darin Bastedo Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 So where are the baptizing shots in the pond? I bet you look even skinnier soaking wet You can see that in person, I do three shows a day at sea-world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoneWolf15 Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Speaking of Photoshop, Here is some fun I had with a picture of My Daughter and her boyfriend before their winter formal... With this in mind, what us to stop someone with similar skills from entering a photo contest like the Revell/Gearz contest and using photo shop to fix a glue mark, over-spray or other slight imperfection on their model before submitting the photo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoneWolf15 Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 D , That was the downfall of the builders market on eBay . People paid big bucks for photo touched garbage . Folks became gunshy about buying and the market just bottomed out ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry P. Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 I enjoy playing around with filters and other effects on my model photos: Definite "Real or Model" contenders! You do some awesome work, Chuck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjordan2 Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 (edited) Yes, Chuck, awesome shots. What filters did you use? Looks like very subtle and artistic use of a watercolor filter, plus some other mojo thrown in. Edited February 15, 2012 by sjordan2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Cranky Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Chuck D is definitely one of the greats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregg Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 I was working with some lighting today, and it made me think of watching Doug Whyte at the NNL East a couple of years ago. I don't know of any other photographer who is at his level. I would love to spend a week just watching what he does, how he does it, and the post-production and of course, the actual setup of the lighting for shots. With that, I added a second strobe to the soft box, and it made a big difference. I'll try to post before and after shots, but I just wanted to put my two cents in, for what it's worth... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Cranky Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 You are right about Doug, Gregg, he is one of the best and I've always enjoyed his work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoneWolf15 Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 I was there with Greg at Toledo watching Doug work his magic . Unreal what that man does with a camera ! Wish I had the shots he took of my models that day ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Cranky Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Donn, why can you get copies of the shots he took? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoneWolf15 Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Never thought about it till this came up . Shots were being taken for the next MCM calendar . Come to think of it , maybe Greg has them . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Cranky Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Well, if he took them with a digital, you know how easy it is to transfer them via email, etc . . . hope you get them . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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