Photo Retouching - - coloring shadows

chrisskennedy · #1 08-13-2008, 11:52 AM

Any one have an idea on how to create this look.

0lBaldy · #2 08-13-2008, 05:56 PM

chrisskennedy, welcome to RetouchPRO

Poke around, ask questions, have fun!

The following links may help you post a larger picture next time:
~Click for Info on how to size and attach images to your posts~

~How to attach Files/Images to your Posts or Threads here~

After you post your less than 100K version, you could link to a site that is hosting a larger version.(like imagevenue.com or pixentral.com or photobucket.com)

Now for your how to..:

Turn photo upside down
New layer.... color of shadow like thingy..
New layer... color of other shadow like thingy..
select subject
Hold Alt key make mask on one of the new layers
ctrl key select newly created mask
select other new layer
Hold Alt key make mask on this new layers
top menu.. Select>Transform selection
Move it where you want it and using Black.. erase what is in the way and white to put back layer color (in other words use black and white to make corrections)
Repeat for other layer

chrisskennedy · #3 08-14-2008, 04:44 AM

Thanks for that Baldy. I should have explained myself a bit better. I am doing a fashion shoot next week so am trying to work out the best way to shoot it. I dont think in the image I posted that the shadow has been created by creating a selection and transforming it. The shadow in the image I posted is created by lighting I have no doubt of that. I just cannot work out how it has been colored

Juergen D · #4 08-14-2008, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisskennedy

The shadow in the image I posted is created by lighting I have no doubt of that. I just cannot work out how it has been colored

It would really help to be able to see the picture. I don't think it is lighting, but can't say for sure... It could have been done with differently colored drop shadows.

Juergen

ecols · #5 08-14-2008, 09:21 AM

filters in front of the flashs.. softbox from the front and the colored flashes from both sides..

chrisskennedy · #6 08-14-2008, 09:38 AM

Here is a link to the file on photobucket. I have more examples I am going to put up there.

http://s537.photobucket.com/albums/f...t=Picture2.png

ecols · #7 08-14-2008, 10:08 AM

okay, then its two colored light sources beaming straight, or slightly diagonal.. and two flashs pointing towards the guy.. very short exposure, as
1. breakdancers move fast
2. otherwise the walls would be colored to much

no colored flashs.. i was wrong there..

0lBaldy · #8 08-14-2008, 10:26 AM

Sorry about my poor attempt at humor (Upside down).. Looks like it might have been shot with two spots and colored later, except the highlights on the subject do not support that idea.. either way there is some post work being done and I think the transforming a selection (which I did not do because the pic was to small to see correctly) would be much easier.. Gels would only make the background and subject look funky not make a colored shadow.

des151 · #9 08-14-2008, 10:28 AM

Have you tried selecting the shadows, then putting them on seperate layers? Then add a H/S adj. layer to each shadow layer,adj the hue-sat-lightness, blur,op etc.
Ray

chrisskennedy · #10 08-14-2008, 10:43 AM

I have not actually done the shoot yet. What I was thinking of doing was shooting the shadows seperate and then comping. But getting a good selection of a shadow is hard. Any tips? Baldy you mentioned coloring the shadows after. Would you just mask that through with a soft brush and paint the color in bit by bit. I tried this on a test image but could not get that seemless look that the image has.

Juergen D · #11 08-14-2008, 10:59 AM

OK, this was done with PSE5, colored drop shadow. I borrowed Baldy's photo in lack of something else handy, I hope he forgives me.

Juergen

chrisskennedy · #12 08-14-2008, 11:06 AM

That looks pretty good. How exactly did you do that? Sorry Im new to this site PSE5 is it photoshop edition 5? cheers chris

0lBaldy · #13 08-14-2008, 11:08 AM

Thats why I mentioned spots for sharp shadows like those in the sample (very little drop off or fade). Selecting a shadow is a bit tricky because of the fade into the background you need to fade your selection then adjust the mask later.. thats why, with the sharpness of your sample, I still contend that it was done with selection transformation masked onto a separate layer and blended and/or blurred in to simulate the real thing.. of course this is all conjecture on my part and could be totally wrong...
They also might have cleaned up and colored only one shadow and added the other..

I will get out of the way and let someone more professional try to answer your questions..

Hope you have a successful shoot

chrisskennedy · #14 08-14-2008, 11:12 AM

Cheers Baldy Im going to shoot some tests tomorrow and play around. Your thoughts were much appreciated

Juergen D · #15 08-14-2008, 11:13 AM

It is Photoshop Elements version 5.0, the 'cheap' version of Photoshop. You seem to be using CS2. Do you have the option to change the drop shadow color in Layer Styles?
If yes, choose a color and apply it. Then move the shadow far enough over, so it is in area by itself. Duplicate the layer with the drop shadow and simplify it. Select the lower part and place it on a new layer. Go back to the other layer with the layer style active and move it to fit after you have positioned the legs (need distortion, of course).

Juergen