"Alone at Night" w/Erin

[kpstatz]

Thanks again for the kinds words. For those that asked how it was done, here's what I did:

Camera Work:
The artwork is 3 total images all shot around noon. The ocean and jetty are one image, the grass and fence another and the model the third. I started with a well exposed image of the ocean and jetty using basic "Long exposure" rules - used a B&W 3.0 ND Filter (10 stop) there's tons of info on Long Exposure out there if you Google it. The model and foreground are straight-up shots.

Post Work:
Opened the BG, and created separate adjustment layers for Shadow/Highlight, Contrast and High-Pass. I played with the Multiply and Overlay blend modes on each layer and selectively painted in/out parts of the layers using various opacity brushes. I also played with the opacity on the layers themselves. This is really not rocket science, you just need to dig in a mess with it. When I got the night time scene with a glowing ocean the way I wanted it, I walked away for a day.

When I came back to the image a day later I knew it was cool, but lacked foreground interest and "story". I added the foreground in another layer using the Overlay blend mode - no real tweaking as I wanted it to be there but not grab attention. I added Erin in another Overlay layer for the "story" part. Finally I added the moon using a freebee Photoshop brush - used the Pencil tool for the stars.

WOW! Thanks for sharing.

 

[gnagel]

Awesome!

 

[fallout]

I agree.......Very cool pic!!!!!!!

 

[goffer]

Impressive camera and post work... you crafted a superb image!

 

[frede]

Thanks again to all. I am extremely flattered by your comments. :redface:

 

[Kiwi Geoff]

Thanks for sharing your techniques Fred. Again, I say top stuff !!

 

[intruder61]

brilliant.

 

[Tadam]

Love it

 

[frede]

Thanks for the nice comments.

I'm always happy to share my techniques. :smile:

 

[Someguy]

Fred, this appeals to me sooooo much, fantastic work!

 

[tmldds]

Super photo!

Tri:smile:

 

[CU2MIKE]

WOW! Excellent image, it belongs in a magazine/art book/even Getty!

 

[frede]

Thanks again for all the nice comments! :smile:

WOW! Excellent image, it belongs in a magazine/art book/even Getty!

Thanks Mike. I'm submitting this along with 3 others to a juried art show in June - we'll see if it gets in.

 

[AlJohnston]

The jury must be blind if it doesn't!

 

[frede]

The jury must be blind if it doesn't!

Ha ha thanks - you never really know what they'll select.