Photo Retouching - - The demystification of dave hill! let's all help! - Page 77

Gee · #**1141** 09-05-2008, 03:57 PM

indeed

does anyone could explain me how to desaturate the blacks?
i didnt figure it out

Michael Bonner · #**1142** 09-05-2008, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gee

indeed

does anyone could explain me how to desaturate the blacks?
i didnt figure it out

I'm pretty sure desaturating the blacks is exactly what it sounds like- taking everything black (or, in actuality, near-black) and taking all the color information out of it.

Try going into Select > Color Range with black as your foreground color. Play with the fuzziness until you only have the tones you want to adjust. Then use that selection as the layer mask to a hue/saturation layer set to -100 saturation.

djslyda · #**1143** 09-05-2008, 04:12 PM

to be honest, tose tim tadder shots look no where near as good as dave hills shots, don't get me wrong i would love to take shots like that but imo they aren't in the same league as dave hill, i think the keywords in dave hills style is clean and crisp, even fiscus shots are not as clean imo, i don't quite know what it is about daves shots but is definately not JUST dodge and burn, they are like shiny and glossy without being greasy looking it's weird?!?!?

Gee · #**1144** 09-05-2008, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Bonner

I'm pretty sure desaturating the blacks is exactly what it sounds like- taking everything black (or, in actuality, near-black) and taking all the color information out of it.

Try going into Select > Color Range with black as your foreground color. Play with the fuzziness until you only have the tones you want to adjust. Then use that selection as the layer mask to a hue/saturation layer set to -100 saturation.

cheers i'm too stupid.
thanks for this.

that's weird, i don't see a lot of changes anyway.
depend of the pics but that doesnt do a lot of things

Michael Bonner · #**1145** 09-05-2008, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gee

cheers i'm too stupid.
thanks for this.

that's weird, i don't see a lot of changes anyway.
depend of the pics but that doesnt do a lot of things

The only reason I can see for using it is that if you had a photo where there was some color bleed into the dark shadow tones, it'd improve the "clean" look of the photo and the apparent contrast.

Gee · #**1146** 09-05-2008, 05:02 PM

yep
i tried again on few pics and looks fine & much clean

Michael Bonner · #**1147** 09-05-2008, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djslyda

to be honest, tose tim tadder shots look no where near as good as dave hills shots, don't get me wrong i would love to take shots like that but imo they aren't in the same league as dave hill, i think the keywords in dave hills style is clean and crisp, even fiscus shots are not as clean imo, i don't quite know what it is about daves shots but is definately not JUST dodge and burn, they are like shiny and glossy without being greasy looking it's weird?!?!?

"Good" is subjective. If you ask their respective clients, I'm sure you'd hear equally glowing appraisals of their work. It all depends on what you're aiming for. Same goes for Fiscus. If you mean smoother and less gritty, then what I said earlier about simplifying shadows and highlights applies. When something looks "shiny," it's simply the way it reflects the light that hits it. So to make something that's matte look shiny, you change the way it appears to reflect light. Dodging and burning is a pretty effective way to achieve this. Here's an example to demonstrate my point: http://www.michaelbonnerphoto.com/photos/D&B.jpg

Note: This is not an attempt at the DH look- merely an example to demonstrate a technique that contributes to it. Keep in mind that Dave Hill is embellishing *actual* highlights - even in the low-res screen grab of the wrestler, you can see the distinct highlights from the hard rim lights. Building upon these results in even cleaner, shinier final products. I've attached a copy of my D&B layers as well to illustrate the type of adjustments I'm describing.

Mtmm · #**1148** 09-06-2008, 05:46 AM

One thing I have always wondered. Dave has some pretty damn big clients, but he uses low-end gear. That is a scientific fact, you get better photos with better gear. He don´t even use L-optics with Canon 5D. Low-end shitty lens attached to 5D FF camera will generate shitty photos at the edges. Still Dave´s photos are so sharp, so clean, wtf?

julianmarsalis · #**1149** 09-06-2008, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mtmm

One thing I have always wondered. Dave has some pretty damn big clients, but he uses low-end gear. That is a scientific fact, you get better photos with better gear. He don´t even use L-optics with Canon 5D. Low-end shitty lens attached to 5D FF camera will generate shitty photos at the edges. Still Dave´s photos are so sharp, so clean, wtf?

I believe his way of lighting helps that as well I noticed when I changed to a harder light and started to use hard rimlighting as well my images became all the more sharper and gave greater contrast plus add in ring light fill and bam I bet that's where it is. Also using silver reflectors seems to help contrast and sharpness as well. Then in post you can really have the basis to sharpen it even more.

Mtmm · #**1150** 09-06-2008, 10:00 AM

But that does not help lens distortion or other lens flaws.

snook305 · #**1151** 09-06-2008, 10:46 AM

Dave Hill has been using a HassleBlad for a while now which will Blow any DSLR out of the water.
Also His lens are plenty sharp to get sharp pictures, especially after all the sharpening he does..

But why don't you go ask in a photography forum as this is a retouch forum.
You can probably go leech there also...:+]

Dave like his photography is moving up.. He is not using ghetto equipment that much anymore..
I think is was embarrassing charging big $$$$ and shooting with a 5D and White lightning ain't gonna cut it..
Now he is shooting HassleBlad and using 30" cinema displays...
Snook

Mtmm · #**1152** 09-06-2008, 11:04 AM

In any interview, video or podcast, he is telling his equipment. And always, low-end stuff. It is not possible to get sharp images from edge to edge with low-end lenses. Cinema display has nothing to do with this.

snook305 · #**1153** 09-06-2008, 12:09 PM

why would need edge to edge when he is shooting his subjects in the middle.
Your should first know what you talking about before you try to talk the talk...:+}
Again, go check on the photography websites ... then come back...
Edge to edge is usually something a Landscape photographer bitches about.. Not someone shooting portraits for pasting in new backgrounds...:+}
I guess you believe everything dave hill says..
You know there is no such thing as Santa Claus.. right?

Snook

Mtmm · #**1154** 09-06-2008, 12:20 PM

This must be news for you, but there is backgrounds in Daves photos. But if I look at your "hi im snook and I can copy Dave with my plugin" photo, I'm not suprised, that you are so out of league. Cinema display, lol, since when apples monitor has been an issue when taking a photo, lol!

snook305 · #**1155** 09-06-2008, 12:34 PM

Equipment has nothing to do with it..
And what are you trying to ask..
You asked like you doubt it... If he says he is using Low end stuff and you believe it,
What are you asking?
You state that Low end shitty lens attached to a 5D produce shitty images...
And that is what Dave Hill is using, than you are saying his images are shitty?
I think every time you post, you sound like some Pimply face,chubby little punk who is trying to stir up argument...
DO you even know what you are asking anymore.
Again this is a retouch forum.. Not a Amateur photography forum..
You constantly contridict yourself even in the same phrase sometimes.
Just like your comment about Hypass Bleach filter you said you used then 2 post later you freak out saying you never said that...
Sounds like you have some issues and a Love affair with Dave Hill.
I suggest you start a Dave Hill Fan Club Blob.
You can name it:
How many Dave Hills does it take to screw in a Light Bulb...??
Only one and about 5 others below saying Oooooh How did you do that dave...:+}
Hope you find a cure for your dave Hill syndrome and why he uses shitty lens...:+}

Oh.. yeh it is in the lighting..... LOL, And now thanks to you, apparently the secret is it, you need shitty lens...
Might be a good time to sell all those "L" lens and Buy shitty lens...
Snook:
Let's make a Dave Hill List:

One Shitty Lens
One Shitty Camera
4-5 Shitty Lights
2-3 Shitty assistants
No shitty Cinema Display 30" Better to use the Shitty 5D LCD
No Shitty Plug-in
Shitty Subjects
Shitty Location
One Shitty Ringflash
One really Shitty retoucher (Optional)...

I think that is about it... we got the Magic formula...