how to achieve the feeling of an vogue editorial

[Linkin]

Hey guys,

I´ve been reading the discussions on this topic for a while and also studied the other threads in here, but I haven`t really found an answer to it.

What I would like to know is, how they achieve the editorial style, that we can see in magazines like elle, vogue and so on.

I mean I know that a huge part of it is to have a make up artist and a great model but there has to be more.

I do not want to know how to get a better skin on the models or how to sharp the image better I´m taking about the feeling and the colors of the image.
Thats what I think makes the difference too many other pictures.

In the following examples I´ll try to give you an idea of what I´m taking about. I know that there was NO flash in use for this images. Some pictures were taken without any kind of additional lightsource and some were shot by using a reflector.
But I also know that these pictures didnt come out of the camera like that. there has to be done something in the post-production that gave it the final touch.

Well before I write too much I´m going to show you what I´m taking about:

http://www.shotview.com/artists/stef...?newHeight=634

http://www.shotview.com/artists/stef...?newHeight=634

http://www.shotview.com/artists/sess...?newHeight=634

http://www.marcintyszka.com/location/images/001.jpg

http://www.marcintyszka.com/location/images/002.jpg

just to show you guys a few...

and before you ask, yes I know that these guys are damn good photographers and that a large part is to have a good make up and model but I cant imagine that the pictures come out of the came like this.

so what is it, that creates the special athmosphere? how do i achieve such a light in ps and what do you think is done in this pictures?


I´m really looking forward to get some helpful answers?

thanks

Linkin

[Insensitive.]

most of those pics dont look touched. I know one thing that jumps out is that there is some desaturation done...

[OperaFan1981]

The colors looks peachy and the textures (contrast) are increased. Yes, there is that "desaturate-y" look.

There isn't a one-stop setting, it depends, but the images you've attached is consistent and I've made my observations aforementioned.

[Linkin]

Yes i definetly agree with you when it comes to the desaturate of the image. but i have the feeling that there is something more done with the colors, what you call "peachy"

of course there is no general solution to achieve this effect, but maybe a guideline to test along.

[LESider]

shoot film.

Really not much is done to these, in Marcins case it is done with shooting film then having a c print made and scanned and very little more than some clean up. I really think people underestimate how these photographers see and use light and also some of their use film and traditional printing. Even if you look at Nick Knights work it is pretty close to how its shot.

[Markzebra]

These images are NOTHING like what they were on shooting - I've contributed to Vogue editorials - 80% is photography 20% pure retouching, or more.

[Linkin]

I see, thats what I thought in my first post as well.
So if you have contributed to these kind of editorials we are talking about, maybe you have some tips to guide the direction. i do not want to know how to get a skin like that or how to setup the light, dont worry

but the feeling and colors of these images, that is whats interesting for me and even if i know that these are good photographers, no one can tell me that the shoots come out of the came with such a feeling of colors!!!

[Markzebra]

One thing that its relatively easy to do in retouching, by that I mean its less time consuming than other things, is color - when it comes to overall color, most good photographers have a fairly good idea where they want you to go on it. A simple technique like pumping yellow or mag into your highlights in Selective color can be effective for example

Cross processing. as an example. Its quite possible to simulate these old techniques, and improve on them digitally

[Linkin]

well that is what i also tried and i have to say that i get some okay results with it. of course you cant use it in all of the pictures because it has to fit to the feeling and situation of the shoot, but in general it is a nice if its not overdone.

but Markzebra, if I have the chance to ask a real vogue retoucher, I have to ask as much as possisble

lets take for example this image from above:

http://www.marcintyszka.com/location/images/001.jpg

of course it is a mix of a very good make up and styling as well as a good location. but it has this peachy look, that i referr to the change of colours, while retouching.

but i also think that the light makes it kinda flat, it is hard to describe, I mean that it looks very smooth and absolutely soft. do you think that is was like that after the shoot or do you have any suggestions on how to manipulate the light while retouching the image?

thanks in advance

[Markzebra]

You need to re-read my tip above about selective color again - that and simple masking - you can do a lot with this tool, work with it

[Benny Profane]

I must repeat a mantra, or what should be a mantra for you, that member Ant has posted.

LEARN TO SEE.

Look at the image. Take it apart. There is no quick answer. None that will make you a better retoucher.

[Linkin]

I agree on it. and i know that there is no general solution but the tips you gave in this thread ( and i just found another one, where someone used two pics of this thread) helped a lot to get the right direction to test.
in the end it all depends on what your basis photo is looking like and what effect you want to achieve, but nevertheless you gave me a good hint!

[LESider]

Originally Posted by Linkin

well that is what i also tried and i have to say that i get some okay results with it. of course you cant use it in all of the pictures because it has to fit to the feeling and situation of the shoot, but in general it is a nice if its not overdone.

but Markzebra, if I have the chance to ask a real vogue retoucher, I have to ask as much as possisble

lets take for example this image from above:

http://www.marcintyszka.com/location/images/001.jpg

of course it is a mix of a very good make up and styling as well as a good location. but it has this peachy look, that i referr to the change of colours, while retouching.

but i also think that the light makes it kinda flat, it is hard to describe, I mean that it looks very smooth and absolutely soft. do you think that is was like that after the shoot or do you have any suggestions on how to manipulate the light while retouching the image?

thanks in advance

Sorry Benny when it comes to Marcins work your looking at a film and a c print to get the overall look, yes there is cleaning up in photoshop but the magic is in the print. But I am also not saying that its not possible to do digitally with the aid of photoshop.

[Benny Profane]

My forehead hurts from banging it on my desk.

[stopa]

Hi
I was working with Marcin Tyszka lately. I know some of his works, from shooting till printing. I may say that a lot of conceptual work is done before shoots, location, stylization, make-up, and so on, and so on...
And yes- from my experience: as photographer is better, as less work I have.
Tyszka is from polish first league . Some times when I process some of Artur Wesolowski images, I feel that my eyes become wet... I cant imagine that it is possible to make such a grate image. Grate photographers have divine talents!

And as a answer to Linkin, as soon as you get some images form top photographers- you will feel the right color of the image. Because THE Feeling is inside!

[Benny Profane]

This is why Box is a thriving business.

[Linkin]

stopa, thank you for that very interesting post. i just watched your portfolio and there is some amazing work!!!

i will try to take all your advices and learn by seeing images and getting the right feeling for it!

thank you

[dennisonb]

I am also a fashion photographer, and I am also always in pursuit of that elusive feeling that the 'pros' have (BTW: I shoot fashion editorial for Marie Claire and Elle, Czech republic). Truthfully, it is a combination of things- Great team, great location, great makeup, great assistant, great model, great idea. The image looks like all these things put together. Great retouching of course is key, but the image is something that is more often 'built' rather then just 'captured'. If you want to make images like this, you need experience, money and a strong creative team.

dennisonbertram.com

[dennisonb]

Originally Posted by LESider

Sorry Benny when it comes to Marcins work your looking at a film and a c print to get the overall look, yes there is cleaning up in photoshop but the magic is in the print. But I am also not saying that its not possible to do digitally with the aid of photoshop.

I think it's possible to get this from medium format digital. You need to know what your doing, but you can do it for sure. Prints are magical indeed, but so is a really talented DTP person. :-)

That said, printing is a heck of a lot easyier. :-)