What kind of technique is this?

[tristefoc]

another question, how do you guys manage to get such realistic spectular highlights in the "after" pictures?through dodging? Could the gurus please answer this?thanks! The reason why i ask this is because the before pictures in amy's portfolio have virtually no highlights or glows-but the way you guys have done it and brought it out is mind blowing-i've tried dodging but it's not too realistic

[RJD]

Thanks Nancy I should have known that!

[NancyJ]

Originally Posted by tristefoc

another question, how do you guys manage to get such realistic spectular highlights in the "after" pictures?through dodging? Could the gurus please answer this?thanks! The reason why i ask this is because the before pictures in amy's portfolio have virtually no highlights or glows-but the way you guys have done it and brought it out is mind blowing-i've tried dodging but it's not too realistic

How are you doing the dodging? With the dodge tool *shudder* trying duplicating the original and setting the blend mode to screen, then painting in the highlights where you want them. It still takes a lot of skill and experience to get the highlights in the right places and looking right.

[singlo]

Her works are really inspiring. I agree she should be a photographer herself. In her head, there are imaginery studio lights here and there.. She knows so well how to create natural fall-off, accentuating contours...and very creative.

Here is my anothor attempt (2nd photo) to reproduce her techniques (3rd photo) from the before photo. I think she got the reflection on glasses from anothor photo and wrap it around.

[tristefoc]

Originally Posted by NancyJ

How are you doing the dodging? With the dodge tool *shudder* trying duplicating the original and setting the blend mode to screen, then painting in the highlights where you want them. It still takes a lot of skill and experience to get the highlights in the right places and looking right.

Oh i'm not using the dodge tool, but actually using the 50% grey method and then setting it to soft light mode(for the extra layer) and painting in with a low opacity at approx 3-5 percent is that correct? or should i be looking at something else? i still cant get the nice shiny glow though

[miguel]

hi, i am new here but not new to photoshop.

i couldn't resist posting my version of this beautiful model.

yes i agree amy is brilliant.

here is my before and after.

[cainam]

Originally Posted by tristefoc

Oh i'm not using the dodge tool, but actually using the 50% grey method and then setting it to soft light mode(for the extra layer) and painting in with a low opacity at approx 3-5 percent is that correct? or should i be looking at something else? i still cant get the nice shiny glow though

It's very simple (the way I did it, at least):

1. Copie you original layer and do the normal retouching.
2. On top of this corrected layer, you put an adjustment layer (brightness/contrast). Than you brighten this layer (because this layer is your 'shiny' layer).
3.You fill this layer with black color.
4. Now you can paint (soft eraser/black color) your highlights. If you make an error, use the white color to correct it. Best is to use a low opacity.

All is done in the normal mode, and no dodging.

[singlo]

Here is my quickie and crude attempt to imitate her pin-up techniques. The head, arms and upper torso came from anothor photo and she masterful joined them togethor. It is very hard to fine tune on tiny web pics BTW I love the way she put shine on the stockings

[singlo]

Procelain look:

[limaze]

Originally Posted by Ektacrow

Here is a more extreme example (extreme as in, the effect is a bit more pronaunced)
http://www.hbo.com/sixfeetunder/img/..._posterart.jpg

LOL ok i admit not beeing qualified at all, but i do not see anything interesting in that picture. i dont even see any photoshop work done in the pic, even the skins look totally normal to me. it just looks like a regular screencapture from some movie, except for the little scanlines. hehe please dont be mad! it looks im the only one beeing so ignorant

ciao!

[megl]

Originally Posted by singlo

Here is my anothor attempt (2nd photo) to reproduce her techniques (3rd photo) from the before photo. I think she got the reflection on glasses from anothor photo and wrap it around.

Singlo, you're really getting a hang of it! Care to share your workflow?

/megl

[singlo]

megl,
The workflow for the sunglass girl is very simple; i tried to remmeber what i did because I keep changing methods from images to images:

1. Pump up the highlights with a copy of blue channel on top of the original set to luminosity mode. Apply a S-curve adjustment layer to pump the highlights and contrast further. Merge down.

2. Darken the shadows by duplicating the original set to multiply mode. Apply layer mask to brush back the highlights. merge down.

3. PWL or dodge and burn with soft light layer to fine tune highlights and shadows.

4. Curve adjustment layer to adjust skin colour.

The methods are easy; the hardest part is knowing where to put shadows and highlights that are not there in the first place and making them convincing.

[Nick Tuason]

Singlo,

And what about the porcelain look? A B&W layer above original and painted back with low opacitiies? Hope you can share those moves also.

[megl]

Originally Posted by singlo

megl,
The workflow for the sunglass girl is very simple; i tried to remmeber what i did because I keep changing methods from images to images:

1. Pump up the highlights with a copy of blue channel on top of the original set to luminosity mode. Apply a S-curve adjustment layer to pump the highlights and contrast further. Merge down.

2. Darken the shadows by duplicating the original set to multiply mode. Apply layer mask to brush back the highlights. merge down.

3. PWL or dodge and burn with soft light layer to fine tune highlights and shadows.

4. Curve adjustment layer to adjust skin colour.

Thanks!! Do you ever find yourself airbrushing instead of dodging and burning?

Originally Posted by singlo

The methods are easy; the hardest part is knowing where to put shadows and highlights that are not there in the first place and making them convincing.

I agree!! That's certainly the hard part ... and the part, that makes it fun and worthwhile exploring ;-)

/megl

[i.ilievski]

HI !

Just an attempt to replicate Amy's work! Please give me your opinion!

BTW: I find great inspiration in all of Amy's examples, Great work!!!