Input/Help for image

[rossyand]

Is t possible to get some help as I'm stuck on how to achieve the post production look of an Alexander McQueen perfume campaign shot.
There is a halo of light surrounding and bleeding into the skin.
Has anyone come across the picture before and does anyone know how I would set about achieving it in Photoshop?
Any suggestions would be gratefully received.
kingdom1.jpg

[Tony W]

Ok, in my opinion the result could be achieved in several ways but the most important part is correct lighting at the shooting stage. It is possible that the photographer also used a filter to accentuate the highlight spread.

So if you want to achieve the look in post processing then maybe you could make a selection of the outline with a brush of appropriate size transfer this to a new layer and adjust contrast if required and apply blur to taste then adjust blending modes and or opacity to taste.
Just a suggestion have not tried it. If you do post back with an image and your thoughts on if it works

[rossyand]

Thank you Tony for your reply.

I tried it quickly on a stock photo and was surprised as t how easily I came up with something very close. Obviously the picture needs more time an more care to produce a polished image.
I went into Quick mask with the image, made my selection with the brush just inside the skin with minimal overlap. Came out and copied it onto a new layer. I then added some brightness and reduced the contrast. Then in Gaussian blur added about 5 to the layer. Then applied Screen to it from blending menu.

What do you think of the rough image?
4528484.jpg

[Tony W]

Looks pretty good to me and obviously the technique will work and you can play around to add more or less to get exactly the result you want

[rossyand]

Thank you so much for your help Tony. I'm looking forward to shooting the image it's being used for.