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Posted on 06/05/09 2:40:32 PM |
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Scott
* Posts: 40 Reply |
Simulating "Perfect Light"
Hello again This issue is not related to the book so I hope this is OK. I am on a quest. There is a process I am tryng to find out, and that is to add special light to an image. This was bought about specifically by a Flickr contact of mine Joanot. I have asked him how this process is done but being Spanish and not speaking English, the reply was rather vague. He pointed me to a lead that I should read a book called "Fotografía de Alta Calidad" by José Maria Mellado, but being unable to speak Spanish this is of little use to me. The best thing I can do here obviously is to show you what I mean. These images (links) are a perfect example of what I would like to do. Joanot shows the original image alongside the finished article. They are in order of preference. http://www.flickr.com/photos/joanot/3407720284/ (especially this one) http://www.flickr.com/photos/joanot/3438608713/ Please can you help? Can you perhaps do a tutorial on this, or send me some words of advice. I have a basic knowledge of CS3. Thank you Scott |
Posted on 06/05/09 3:18:58 PM |
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cy98
** Posts: 104 Reply |
Re: Simulating "Perfect Light"
It looks like he played with the color balance with curves. He probably went into the red channel increased it. Also, may have increased saturation. Sometimes converting to Lab color and working with the levels of a and b channel produce good effects. Just take the original, copy with new name and play with it to see how close you can come to his final version. He is only a professional because he did a lot of experimenting also. |
Posted on 06/05/09 5:08:31 PM |
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GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 4057 Reply  |
Re: Simulating "Perfect Light"
Hi Scott, I would agree with Cy that the image may well have been converted to Lab and worked on from there. This is the first image that you linked to and is the result of, literally, less than two minute’s work. A little longer with a proper full-size file should yield even better results. I converted it to Lab (Image>Mode>Lab) and then went into Curves and pulled the a Channel (red-green) top right point to the left by two squares (with the box divided into 10 squares)and the bottom left point two squares to the right. I then did the same with the b Channel (blue-yellow) and pressed enter. It is essential that these curves go through the exact centre point of the box to avoid a colour cast. I then tweaked the Lightness curve to bring out detail in the lighter parts of the waterfall and the darker parts of the rocks. There is no need for this particular curve to go through the centre of the box. In the channels palette I clicked on the Lightness Channel and then sharpened that using the HiRaLoAm (High radius, Low amount) method. 250 pixels at 11%. I would reckon that the image would look even better if the original, full-size, image had been used rather than this small 'saved-for-web' file. Lab has the ability, unlike other colour spaces, to expand and separate out colours. It’s a bit like expanding the tonal range of an RGB image using Levels. Unlike RGB and CMYK you can sharpen just the Black and White component of the image (the Lightness Channel) as Lab separates this from the colour content. This means that you don’t get coloured artefacts from sharpening colours. If you would like to know a "little" more about Lab get hold of Scott Kelby’s Photoshop Channels book. If you would like to know a "lot" more then Dan Margullis’s book on Lab is the best read……..but you will need a bachelor’s degree in ancient Sumerian hieroglyphics to understand some of the concepts involved! But it does make an interesting read - especially at bedtime. Hope this helps. Gordon The original as posted on flickr 
and the tweaked version 
_________________ The meek shall inherit the Earth if that's ok with the rest of you. |
Posted on 06/05/09 5:11:43 PM |
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GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 4057 Reply |
Re: Simulating "Perfect Light"
Just thought I would mention, also, that Lab is not necessarily suitable for all types of image. A degree of experimaentation is required to find out what works and what ends up being very garish. _________________ If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you ever tried. |
Posted on 06/05/09 5:38:47 PM |
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Scott
* Posts: 40 Reply |
Re: Simulating "Perfect Light"
Thank you guys. Well the closest I can get is by doing this. 1. Adjustments>Levels = darken the midtones only then... 2. Adjustments>Hue/Saturation = increase saturation for reds (+31), increase saturation for yellows (+39), increase saturation for greens (+52) 3. Image>Adjustments>Shadows & Highlights = pumping the hilight slider right up to reveal more detail in the waterfall. Having the Radius for the Shadows slider at 0px Could not match the effect with shadows. (ie, the river bank on the left hand side is still way too dark, increasing the shadows controller did very little in achieving a rough match. This was a rough experiment I must say, and it looks half way there although it just looks like a very poor fake  Joanot has still managed to achieve getting the details in the shadows in the left hand side river bank where I can't seem to and it's that what seems to balance the rest of the picture.
Haven't studied Lab or even Curves as well as I should. Thanks for the tip. Scott |
Posted on 06/05/09 5:47:10 PM |
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Scott
* Posts: 40 Reply |
Re: Simulating "Perfect Light"
Mine Deleted |
Posted on 06/05/09 5:56:06 PM |
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Scott
* Posts: 40 Reply |
Re: Simulating "Perfect Light"
Thanks Gordon. Your tweaked version is closer to Joanots final edit than mine is. It is lighter and reveals more detail in the shadows. I will check the Lab Mode process. Could I ask (after viewing my effort) that we delete the images displayed here? Thank you. Edit: I have had a go at both processes. I do like the Lab Curves effect, gives a more accurate feel to it much quicker. I should add though that Joanot has managed to keep is waterfall with detail and not blown out. Something I can't seem to correct. The S&H tool doesn't seem to work here. |
Posted on 08/05/09 09:49:05 AM |
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vibeke
Kreative Kiwi Posts: 2166 Reply  |
Re: Simulating "Perfect Light"
Have you tried the program Topaz Adjust?  _________________ Perfect confidence is granted to the less talented as a consolation prize. |