Mysterious Shoot

[[Dillz]]

ok I don't know what this style is....like the world of shadows or something haha

so I got out a small soft box and this is how it came out!

 

[NateS]

Very nice. I like that shot a lot. He definitely looks like one bad dude.

 

[newrmdmike]

i like split lighting, but maybe not as extreme as this. i like to still see some detail. also not a fan of the select color on the eye (but its so small i can't even tell for sure, maybe i'm just crazy)

keep working at it! the focus or upload to web or something made it a little soft.

 

[[Dillz]]

i like split lighting, but maybe not as extreme as this. i like to still see some detail. also not a fan of the select color on the eye (but its so small i can't even tell for sure, maybe i'm just crazy)

keep working at it! the focus or upload to web or something made it a little soft.

newrmdmike, This client wanted it MORE EXTREME haha so I did what he told me ya know? I am having trouble focusing with my 50mm lens.(I used on this) Any tips?

 

[newrmdmike]

ummm, i see you shot it at f/1.8, maybe stop it down to 2, or even 2.8. also, is it a soft image straight off the camera? because i know i've had sharp images go soft between the resize and uploading, so to compensate i oversharpen before the resize sometimes, and then sharpen again to perfection + a little and then upload.

lots of people recommend a large contrast area sharpen (not sure of the terminology here, but a larger pixel unsharp mask or smart sharpen) + a second pixel to pixel sharpening, or a smart sharpen with smaller pixel setting. I'm sure someone else can describe it better and more accurately, thats just what works for me.

 

[[Dillz]]

ok Ill keep that in mind! Thanks!

 

[Derrel]

"the world of shadows" might be described best as Chiaroscuro

For a more-modern example (1920's to 1990's) artist, you might visit this web page George Hurrell Biography

and look at how this technique is done by a master.

 

[tiffjense]

I really like the way you played with the light like this! I thought if you kept the light like this but shadow some of his face, it could look really mysterious and rebellious! Good luck, have fun taking pictures!

 

[SpeedTrap]

You seem to be getting some light contamination on the dark side of his face(high on the forhead) I think shooting this at F8 and upping the power on the softbox would give a much sharper result and give more option for light control.

 

[[Dillz]]

Thansk for the pointers guys When I do this next I will keep what you said in mind. Derrel, yes George Hurrell is one of the best! I have always been a fan.

 

[NJMAN]

ummm, i see you shot it at f/1.8, maybe stop it down to 2, or even 2.8. also, is it a soft image straight off the camera? because i know i've had sharp images go soft between the resize and uploading, so to compensate i oversharpen before the resize sometimes, and then sharpen again to perfection + a little and then upload.

lots of people recommend a large contrast area sharpen (not sure of the terminology here, but a larger pixel unsharp mask or smart sharpen) + a second pixel to pixel sharpening, or a smart sharpen with smaller pixel setting. I'm sure someone else can describe it better and more accurately, thats just what works for me.

Excellent advice! Sharpening should be a normal part of your processing routine. It is always my last step before I release anything to my clients.

What I do is crop for a 5x7 inch print, then do a "Sharpen for Print" routine, which includes these steps:
1) Filter > Sharpen > Sharpen Edges
2) Edit > Fade Sharpen Edges at 63% opacity
3) Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask at Amount 9%, Radius 1.3 px, and Threshold 4
4) Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask at Amount 25%, Radius 1.7 px, and Threshold 0

Then resize to a web image of 800 or 700 pixels at the long end, and sharpen again (micro sharpen this time) with Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask at Amount 125%, Radius 0.3 px, and Threshold 0

Its probably a good idea to save the Sharpen for Print routine as a PS action.

Hope this helps.