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I've changed directions......good idea or not?
Ok, so I've decided to change directions on my post processing for my glamour work. Before I was pretty much doing basic levels squeezes along with very slight surface blur for skin work. Examples of that in my port is pretty much anything below the first 3 rows in my port. So now I've decided to go more dramatic with post, and last weekend I started shooting with that more dramatic end product in mind. No more skin blurs at all, just healing brush on the obvious blemishes and other than all dodging and burning using black and white brushes on a 50% gray layer. I like the result, and I feel like I've taken a step up to a new level in my work. Whereas before I relied on light and composition only, now I'm incorporating the third element PPing into the equation. The question is, while the goal to a certain extent is to go overboard....am I going too far overboard? Is this a step up from my older work or am I wacky? Here's examples of the new style.....  https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/17275932 18+  https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/17267538 18+    https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/17199678 18+      Apr 16 10 09:50 pm Link I don't think it's too overboard since you're going for a particular look. I really like it! I think it works better in some better than others though. The ones bellow are my faves!!! Beautiful!!! Apr 17 10 07:07 pm Link Not overboard to me...dramatic effect that draws you in. Can you explain a bit more about the technique? Apr 17 10 07:31 pm Link I applaud the wish to experiment, branch out and try new things. Some are a little overboard... some are not. There a couple that I really really like. and yes... they are a step up. You will find the balance that you want to find. I do want to offer one thought though... You said: 'Ok, so I've decided to change directions on my post processing for my glamour work.' I would personally feel better hearing that you had decided to: 'branch out and add another style to my work'... Some images will benefit from your new added styles... some will work the best with the styles that have served you so well till now... some would benefit the most using a treatment that you haven't touched in years... and some by your next experimental foray... So Chris... Does this have to be an either/or proposition? Apr 17 10 07:45 pm Link lightwave images wrote: It's really simple actually....I'm self taught and incapable of really complex stuff. The whole process consists of a layer for the healing brush where I get rid of any obvious blemishes.....and six or seven soft light layers filled with 50% gray where I do a lot of dodging and burning with a black or white brush. I then use a few levels layers to squeeze the effect for more drama masking the levels squeeze onto different areas like hair, skin, and clothes. Apr 18 10 11:59 am Link remerrill wrote: I shoot for a lot of different purposes and in a lot of different styles depending on what's needed (stuff that nobody ever sees here). This technique lends itself to glamour a little more than if I'm shooting an outdoor commercial smiley face scene. I'm not saying I wouldn't use part of this on a much more subtle basis for other styles, but this type of retouching isn't for every picture. Apr 18 10 12:03 pm Link you are a bit on the right track but your processing is also a bit clumsy. Here are the two best of that style that I know of: https://www.modelmayhem.com/1210 https://www.modelmayhem.com/7244 Apr 18 10 01:47 pm Link Definitely a great step in the right direction. I feel artist should always evolve and step out of comfort zones to get better. I love it. Apr 18 10 01:52 pm Link Koray wrote: Agreed on all counts. I admit to not knowing what I'm doing and just wading my way through it. The two people you give up as examples are doing similar to what I am only much more refined. Hopefully evolution will get me to their level of cleanness sooner rather than later. Apr 18 10 02:41 pm Link A question about viewing your 18+ images. When I click them, I can't see them. I see this on that page:  I think this means that worksafe mode is on. But when I click the "off" hyperlink, nothing happens. Yet another user-UNfriendly feature of this forum. Can anyone tell me how to shut the "protection" off? Apr 19 10 04:38 pm Link Koray wrote: eh, I disagree. What's the point of duplicating Maya or Bruce? That's THEIR style. May 01 10 11:17 am Link I would say follow your heart, you always have good composition and lighting as a base, your not trying to make a crap image good, just playing with possabilities, I like them, perhaps a bit to much pp but it depends on the look your going for. May 01 10 11:47 am Link Koray wrote: +1 May 01 10 04:47 pm Link I'd say you're doing good for starting out in that direction. I also have to say that when the image is done, it should look like it was not processed at all. In some of them, I can see spots that appear to be worked on. What I'd really like to see (and what might help you in the long run) is a side by side comparison of the same image done both ways. May 02 10 05:11 pm Link Thanks for all the feedback guys. The encouragement tells me I'm heading in the right direction, and the criticism tells me to be carefull with it. I'm refining it a little as I do more images and I feel like I'm getting better and better at it without having to go over the top..... too much, LoL. Here's some of my more recent attempts...... https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/17461861 18+    https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/17469521 18+ May 02 10 08:06 pm Link I really like em... wanna shoot? :-) May 02 10 08:11 pm Link Definite step in the right direction, the images have more pop. You'll tweak this process over time to perfection. May 02 10 08:22 pm Link remerrill wrote: I agree. I don't know who your market is for these images. Both styles work. I don't know that one is above the other. If I for instance were to hire you to to photograph my girlfriend for personal images, I would prefer the old style. On the other hand, for an alcohol ad with a wet sexy model holding my brand, I'd probably prefer the new style. May 02 10 08:41 pm Link |
