The demystification of dave hill! let's all help!

[Tareq]

Originally Posted by AfroGato

Thanks Skydog!
For the lighting I used two lamps and a mirror. I also had to use the ambient light as the place was way too dark for which I had to bump the iso at 1600 (MAX). Thankfully the noise isnt too noticeable on most of the photos. I am looking for some flash lights, do you know of an affordable brand which you would personally recommend?

Alien Bees no doubt.

Go to amazon.com or if you use some of US online stores then try adorama.com and check under lighting section.

I am using Hensel lights which are great, there are Profoto and Elinchrom but all those with Hensel could be little expensive depends on what you can pay.

And here you can check different lights kits due to brands and you can see the prices, so just search about good quality brand and then compare prices

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/2...ight_Kits.html

[HelloPiccadilly]

Originally Posted by cypisek

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/781...nal800x600.jpg

) nice work
Keep it on ))

[Tareq]

Originally Posted by cypisek

Thanks so much
I'm still trying to make my pictures better and more professional.

Exactly, Dave Hill never was born to have his secret technique, sure he tried again and again until he got that look, i am no wondering if he took some of others or learns some techniques then he added something himself to get his own, so do you best and i will do mine and maybe someday we can cooperate to have another new style that will wonder us.

Good luck to all!

[Quantum3Studio]

Originally Posted by cypisek

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/3996/killerfinales0.jpg

Close, close... Your first ones were more similar to DH. By the way, did you tried using L*a*b*? (why not dodging and burning using that color mode? It avoids saturation )

[longside1]

Originally Posted by Quantum3Studio

Close, close... Your first ones were more similar to DH. By the way, did you tried using L*a*b*? (why not dodging and burning using that color mode? It avoids saturation )

Or you could change the blending mode to Luminosity, which again avoids oversatutation when Dodge and Burning.

[Quantum3Studio]

Originally Posted by longside1

Or you could change the blending mode to Luminosity, which again avoids oversatutation when Dodge and Burning.

Yeap! But I find L*a*b* a bit more precise. Try to apply curves inside RGB and setting the layer to luminosity and do the same in L*a*b*. the resutl is a bit different. Also, if you like playing with duplicated layers and overlay, multiply and such, check the effect in L*a*b*, it's much more interesting You probably know all these things, but also try using the famous technique of contrasting by using the unsharp mask in the luminosity channel inside L*a*b* color space... Will give you some kind of "DV Effect" as well

Thanks for your tip, mate

[longside1]

Originally Posted by Quantum3Studio

Yeap! But I find L*a*b* a bit more precise. Try to apply curves inside RGB and setting the layer to luminosity and do the same in L*a*b*. the resutl is a bit different. Also, if you like playing with duplicated layers and overlay, multiply and such, check the effect in L*a*b*, it's much more interesting You probably know all these things, but also try using the famous technique of contrasting by using the unsharp mask in the luminosity channel inside L*a*b* color space... Will give you some kind of "DV Effect" as well

Thanks for your tip, mate

I didn't realise that their would be any difference between LAB and a Luminosity mode. Will certainly have a play!!

Thanks ;-)

[HelloPiccadilly]

You have to check this guy: http://www.quantzphoto.com

no comments..

[amica999]

I think he is a member here..he linked to his portfolio, but can't remember where unfortunately....

[amica999]

Found it http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/pho...tml#post202529

[Quantum3Studio]

Originally Posted by longside1

I didn't realise that their would be any difference between LAB and a Luminosity mode. Will certainly have a play!!

Thanks ;-)

Well yeah, L*a*b* comprehends the whole color luminosity range that the human eye is able to see. It has all the CMYK colors plus all the RGB ones. It's the biggest color space and there is no monitor available to show all the spectrum hold in L*a*b* and unfortunately, it never will be because monitors are build by using light, and, as I suppose you know, the screen is only capable to show colors that come with light, these ones are the RGB colors.

I get impressive effects by using L*a*b* and changing, when needed, to RGB and going into L*a*b* again and such. The contrast you can achieve by adjusting the luminosity channel is not possible in an RGB color space. But, for example, the highpass effect doesn't work in L*a*b*, so going back and fort between both color spaces gives really interesting results, also when saturating colors

[Quantum3Studio]

Originally Posted by cypisek

interesting sites:

http://www.robertbaka.com/
http://www.swietochowski.pl/

Nice sites, thanks for sharing them The first one, I like the lugubrious mood in the whole retouch. They look dimmed but somehow, mournful. Really interesting

[Tareq]

Originally Posted by cypisek

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/526...orunami800.jpg

I think i have to learn manipulation as well, it is not only the look, but even the shot overall should be either real or surreal in some points, now we know this photo is not real in reality world so i am sure those great unbelievable works mostly coming with layers masks and blending.

Now i will start to learn more about photoshop after i got my tablet today, i will make the learning easier than before with only mouse.

[Quantum3Studio]

Originally Posted by cypisek

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/526...orunami800.jpg

This one looks more like a photomontage than a retouched photo... I mean, the light that lights her is quite different from the whole ambient light... It was a photo?

[snook305]

NONE of Cypiseks pictures look like DH. Not sure why he keeps posting image after image with no comments. I think he should start a new thread.
Isn't he the freak that has 2 personalities and posted his detailed description.. Then tried to erase it and then his other half posted here that is was all a mistake that he posted the detailed description.
Weird bunch in here and getting weirder by the day.
Did anybody ever even try his detailed technique?

In any case the only poster in this whole thread that even got similar or cool look is Obsala.
The rest is all BS.

I think cypisek was on to somehting close but that is why he erased his technique much like the Bonehead Mtmm who said he did one thing then right away regretted that he had posted it and then got caught up in his BS...
Which was he uses Bleach ByPass along with lucis and some noise reducting to get rid of the gritty look which is exactly what makes DH different. His images are gritty grainy. Not smoothed out like Obsala and Mtmm.
I guess you could add grain after all the fact which might be nice.

Save your self a Big headache and just use Lucis if your a newbie and if not you should use contrast masks..
I t really is not that hard.
Snook

[snook305]

cypisek I never said I did not like you.
Don't understand you posting and erasing your post before then some other person posted either you are some one else saying they were you etc.. All pretty weird?

Point 2.
This hilariuos thread is for the Dave Hill look which your images look NOTHING like. That is all. Your not the only one to post images that look nothing like Dave Hill's.
Nothing against you personally.
Mtmm is just a Putz in General and the tipical bone head that offers no help to others about his post work. No one is obliged to show there steps, But this is a forum for helping people retouch, NOT FLIKr to show your images.
So people like him who just ask for help and help and help and then DO NOT contribute are what some call Leeches or leechers.
I could care o less about some punk ass young wannabe. I can take pictures and retouch circles around him all day long.
He jumps in crying every once in a while talking shit because I mention him as a leech and use him as reference for people that are leechers.

I could care o less about making images like DH. I can, I have and do not really like his look.
He does it very well already.

I am a professional photograper for around 20 years now....
I do however think anybody and everybody can always learn more by certain steps in a technique to apply it or parts of it in images or for future clients request etc to their images.


But that should be obviuos..

Snook


PS. Now you will see some dumb ass post from Mtmm here soon I am sure...:+}

[Qinter]

Since my website was posted here I thought I would post a few observations. I'll make them fairly general as I don't know if most of you are working to gain clients (make a living with your imagery) or just fooling around.

Study the basics of what makes a compelling image. This goes all the way back to why you choose an f-stop and a shutter speed when capturing imagery. Your final image has to have a solid foundation. If combining images is your gig, then make sure they are all solid at the beginning. Using some form of post processing cannot cover up what was weak from the start.

Have a plan. Whether it is a sketch or strong mental picture you will need a destination. Most importantly make sure the image tells a story and does it with strong composition and lighting.

Develop your own style. It's great to emulate or study from others...I dare anyone to say they haven't been influenced by another artist in one form or another! However, you aren't going to gain consistent work or clients if you can't produce something original. Also remember this is not a static craft and what is hot today will not be tomorrow. Therefore, in crafting your uniqueness never stop learning so you can push forward when the new music starts playing.

Technically, shoot raw 16bit and save your money for good glass. Spiritually, for those with processing fascinations, stop and shoot something simple on occasion. Maybe fall back to b&w and just study the light to see what moves you.

Have fun and enjoy the journey.

Best,
JQ

[snook305]

JQ
Your bascially right.
I see you like Photomatix and Lucis art for a lot of your work.
I also like your animals shots.. I like how you smooth the contrast masking with noise reduction so it has a slight smudge/oil look to them.
I think the animals are some of your strongest stuff. they are my second favorites after jill greebergs animals shots with ring flash...:+}

What you say is correct and has been stated here a thousand times.You aint going to get a DaveHill type impact image with out good pre production thinking all the way to then end.
Most here snap a picture of there neighbor and want to press a button so it has that Dave Hill appeal....:+}
That is why Mtmms picture may look some what stronger than a lot here.. He has thought out the shoot before hand with a subject matter also copied from Dave hill with the wrestler/Body builder subjects. He just does not know how to composite like DH hill. That takes more than a couple of filtered layers..as you certainly know by the looks of all your compositing.
I on the other hand prefer to use little to no compositing. I like trying to get everything originally.

Snook

[Quantum3Studio]

Quinter:

Your post actually opens minds, which is, of course, the best than learning steps. I like what you have written here "make sure the image tells a story". That's a very good thing, because I have seen lot of photography (and I'm a photographer my self) and I had never thought about telling an story. Well, not a literal story, but something you can feel. You have gave me some cool ideas to keep in mind.

Thank you very much for the post,

Mart

[Czarusek]

best regards
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/529/zard.jpg

[Isedo]

Hi guyz, I work for some time on this techinque and still can't get the smooth results as Hill do.

This is my final result. What do you think about? It's more similar to Dragan than fiscus.. LOL

[Quantum3Studio]

I think it looks to dirty... May be another kind of light, more photographic, would be nice for this effect.

[Isedo]

Yes it's not smooth as Hill does...I'm reading all posts in this thread...eheh..can someone say if finally someone discovered some useful technique?

[Quantum3Studio]

Originally Posted by Isedo

Yes it's not smooth as Hill does...I'm reading all posts in this thread...eheh..can someone say if finally someone discovered some useful technique?

Well... It doesn't need to be smoothed, but with another type of illumination, more a renaissance-like I think the same effect you achieved would look pretty interesting.

[Isedo]

Originally Posted by Quantum3Studio

Well... It doesn't need to be smoothed, but with another type of illumination, more a renaissance-like I think the same effect you achieved would look pretty interesting.

My process is very simple, it's basicaly these steps:

1. High pass set to low numbers, about 0,6 and 2 than VividLight blanding mode
2. Copy all and play with Shadow / Highlight this gives some kind of HDR effect
3. Copy blue chanel and paste it into levels, make it overlay or softlight, play with masks toobtain the right effect you like
4. Make a 50%grey level, put it in overlay and than PWL
5. Make some tries with Unsharp Mask
6. Play with details: copy eyes and put them in screen mode to light them up and so on

Use allways layer masks and work using a selective way to work your images. This is how I do. I'm not a photographer so I don't know so much about lights but I'm sure the secret of Hill is his lights as many says before and Quantum to.

hi all,
Isedo

[Bohan]

Originally Posted by Isedo

Hi guyz, I work for some time on this techinque and still can't get the smooth results as Hill do.

This is my final result. What do you think about? It's more similar to Dragan than fiscus.. LOL

you're getting there. good work

[julianmarsalis]

Originally Posted by Isedo

Hi guyz, I work for some time on this techinque and still can't get the smooth results as Hill do.

This is my final result. What do you think about? It's more similar to Dragan than fiscus.. LOL

I like what you done myself on its own very cool.

[Edvard-F]

Originally Posted by Isedo

3. Copy blue chanel and paste it into levels

How is this possible. Many times thought that it would be nice, but just dont found how?

[Quantum3Studio]

Originally Posted by Edvard-F

How is this possible. Many times thought that it would be nice, but just dont found how?

You can do that by clicking on the channels tab, clicking on the blue channel, then, select all and copy. Go to your curves adjustment layer, select the mask by holding Alt + left click, you will see all goes white, and paste the channel, then deselect. That's all

[Edvard-F]

Originally Posted by Quantum3Studio

You can do that by clicking on the channels tab, clicking on the blue channel, then, select all and copy. Go to your curves adjustment layer, select the mask by holding Alt + left click, you will see all goes white, and paste the channel, then deselect. That's all

Many thanks I'll try!