Thanks guys for the critique
- Thanks for your time in sharing your criticism!
Most of them are shots taken with continuous burst mode as I like to take LOADS of the same scene and choose the best, it also allows me to combine images if different aspects are better, etc. So shoot in continuous burst!
Editing wise:
Its kinda difficult to explain (not that I dont want to share the techniques but its that each image has different values, etc etc).
Before I start, I do simple things such as cleaning up spots, zits, moles, etc etc.
1. First I generally colour correct the image to the correct white balance.
**NEXT PART: I always work in adjustment layers**
2. I create a nice simple small 'S' curve for a little contrast.
3. I then create a CRAZY blown out curve which brightens the image to a crazy amount. Fill it with black then set the white brush to 10% with hardness at 0 and start brightening up the darker parts of the image. I go over darker bits more to bring out the details.
4. I do the exact opposite of step 3. This works well for skies, blown highlights, etc.
5. Next I usually desaturate the image slightly. As I take a lot of people shots, I tend to desaturate the 'main' colour then move further desaturate the "red" and "yellow" channels.
6. Next is the colour. I start off with the colour balance... this is what I usally go for:
Highlights shift to the red and shift to the yellow (warm up highlights)
Midtones - cool the midtones by shifting to the blues.
Shadows - I move it ever so slightly to the green side.
7. I now add an extra step where I do some colouring using "S" curves. I dont touch the main channel, only the RGB channels.
R - Make a slight S curve
G - Make a slight S curve
B - Make an opposite S curve
8. I then check if I need to desaturate the image more, perhaps take away some more red/yellow.
9. Now I add a "channel mixer" adjustment layer, set it to overlay and move the opacity down to around 20-30%. This will bump up the contrast.
10. I then add a new layer, fill with white and bring the opacity down to around 1-2% so that the blacks are not quite black.
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NEXT STEPS ARE OPTIONAL
11. I tend to fake light by using a soft brush set at 10% and start creating a fake 'light' to wrap around the subject. This only works if there is already a light source.
12. I sometimes change the colour again using colour balance adjustment layers. Like in example 4 where I preferred a purple tint.
13. Sometimes I want to sharpen the areas in focus. To do this, duplicate the image, set to soft light then go to filter > other > high pass filter > chose 30. Delete away the parts where the extra sharpness is not needed. then lower the opacity so it doesnt look too weird.
Please dont hesitate if you need me to go through a certain part.
