- Joined
- Jan 26, 2005
- Messages
- 1,475
Since I've received some favorable compliments about my B&W work both here and on DPR I thought I'd post some details around my approach (although every shot is pretty much a unique experience, I tend to use the same basket of techniques on most shots). The goal of the final image is to really focus attention on the eyes while not being obvious.
Here is the original shot:
Here is the final product:
View attachment 6518
Here is the animated GIF showing each stage described in detail below (allow this to load - it's 800k).
Note the entire sequence will repeat (2 seconds each stage and 5 seconds for the final image):
View attachment 6519
Here are the tweaks seen in the GIF:
1) Contrast: I used nik Efex Pro 2 "BW Tonal Balance" to add some contrast. I selectively painted in the contrast using a mask (brush opacity 10% so I gradually add contrast using a Wacom tablet to paint).
2) Selective Dodge/Burn: I create a new OVERLAY layer and check the box for 50% gray (this fills the layer with gray). I then dodge/burn various areas to bring out detail in the eyes, deepen some shadows, calm some hot spots, and hilght some key lines like the lips and eye lids.
3) Vignette: typical method of creating a layer, making an oval selection, inverting selection, feathering 160 pixels, filling with black and lowering opacity to around 30%
4) Levels Adjustment: simply pulled the right end arrow LEFT to brighten the image (from 255 down to 240). Then pulled the middle (gamma) to the right to darken a bit (.96)
Hope this is useful.
Joe
[/img]
Here is the original shot:
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Here is the final product:
View attachment 6518
Here is the animated GIF showing each stage described in detail below (allow this to load - it's 800k).
Note the entire sequence will repeat (2 seconds each stage and 5 seconds for the final image):
View attachment 6519
Here are the tweaks seen in the GIF:
1) Contrast: I used nik Efex Pro 2 "BW Tonal Balance" to add some contrast. I selectively painted in the contrast using a mask (brush opacity 10% so I gradually add contrast using a Wacom tablet to paint).
2) Selective Dodge/Burn: I create a new OVERLAY layer and check the box for 50% gray (this fills the layer with gray). I then dodge/burn various areas to bring out detail in the eyes, deepen some shadows, calm some hot spots, and hilght some key lines like the lips and eye lids.
3) Vignette: typical method of creating a layer, making an oval selection, inverting selection, feathering 160 pixels, filling with black and lowering opacity to around 30%
4) Levels Adjustment: simply pulled the right end arrow LEFT to brighten the image (from 255 down to 240). Then pulled the middle (gamma) to the right to darken a bit (.96)
Hope this is useful.
Joe
[/img]
