Karolina P - studio session - Image Rich

Manfred, I am particularly intrigued by the post processes involved in this exiting venture.
Cheers Ole

1. Resize / crop

2. Heal blemishes

3. Clone stray hair

4. Extensive dodge and burn to blend shadow and highlight areas.


I compared images with one of the other photographers and have concluded that the hot spots are likely a combination of makeup issues and skin issues. The studio was fairly hot and the model was moving a lot, so perspiration was likely at least part of the cause.

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Originally Posted by GrumpyDiver

1. Resize / crop

2. Heal blemishes

3. Clone stray hair

4. Extensive dodge and burn to blend shadow and highlight areas.


I compared images with one of the other photographers and have concluded that the hot spots are likely a combination of makeup issues and skin issues. The studio was fairly hot and the model was moving a lot, so perspiration was likely at least part of the cause.

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We have all done 1,2 and 3, will be keen to see your progress dodging and burning to see how that pans out. It is something of an art form to me and can save a pic and also ruin it.

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Originally Posted by mugge

We have all done 1,2 and 3, will be keen to see your progress dodging and burning to see how that pans out. It is something of an art form to me and can save a pic and also ruin it.

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High end retouching relies almost exclusively on dodging and burning to smooth out the image and correct issues. I am working on learning that aspect of the craft. Healing and cloning are used to remove obvious blemishes, but folds and lines are done via dodging and burning, but not with Photoshop's built in dodging and burning tools. Frequency separation and other similar techniques are also avoided so as to protect the structure of the skin.

Dodging and burning are something I used all the time in the wet darkroom when doing prints, so it is something I am super comfortable doing. Doing it well in the digital darkroom takes a lot of time and effort using a very small brush and a tablet as the repeated fine motions are impossible to do with a mouse.

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Originally Posted by GrumpyDiver

Doing it (dodging and burning)well in the digital darkroom takes a lot of time and effort...

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Something I hope I can work on improve upon further during a black & white masterclass that I've signed up for in July. I do think dodging and burning is the skill that can make a great image or break a potentially great image.

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Originally Posted by Donald

I do think dodging and burning is the skill that can make a great image or break a potentially great image.

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Agreed 100% Donald. If one studies the work of Ansel Adams and Yousef Karsh one quickly realizes how true that statement is. Both of these artists started with compelling camera work, but dodging and burning is what made their work into the masterpieces that they are.

The problem is that dodging and burning is a relatively labour intensive process and many are not willing to put that much effort into a single image. Again, look at the length of time that Adams worked to produce a single image. One of my favourite quotes from Ansel Adams is:

"Dodging and burning are steps to take care of mistakes God made in establishing tonal relationships".

These are robotic to me, they just seem false and lack emotion.

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Originally Posted by Rebel

These are robotic to me, they just seem false and lack emotion.

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The aloof look you are referring to is quite common in the fashion industry. Models are trained to present that way as their role is primarily to display the items that they are wearing. Different photographic genres have different purposes.

The was the first time that Karolina did this type of modeling, so I would suggest that should be taken into account as well.

I'm not sure about the point that you are trying to make.

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Originally Posted by GrumpyDiver

The aloof look you are referring to is quite common in the fashion industry. Models are trained to present that way as their role is primarily to display the items that they are wearing.

I'm not sure about the point that you are trying to make.

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Sorry that was a very harsh comment, I'm just not a fan of this stuff, its technically brilliant but the portraits people are asking me for now and in their natural environment or a beach or forest?

Sorry for being rude, bloody gin.

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Originally Posted by Rebel

Sorry that was a very harsh comment, I'm just not a fan of this stuff, its technically brilliant but the portraits people are asking me for now and in their natural environment or a beach or forest?

Sorry for being rude, bloody gin.

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No problem Matt.

I'm trying this aspect of photography for the first time to get into a photographic genre that is outside of my comfort zone as a learning experience. The level and direction of PP work is completely different from the way I normally work as well; most of the retouching is done purely by dodging and burning.

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Originally Posted by GrumpyDiver

No problem Matt.

I'm trying this aspect of photography for the first time to get into a photographic genre that is outside of my comfort zone as a learning experience. The level and direction of PP work is completely different from the way I normally work as well; most of the retouching is done purely by dodging and burning.

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Ok thats fair, im trying to break into the portrait scene and everyone near me is doing this sort of thing so im trying to go against that, sorry for taking it out on you :p


EDIT: I also think its important to show the environment ?