Dark moody look

[Rust]

Hello , looked at this picture and i really liked the dark, moody,look. Anybody got a idea how it was achived:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kakhaba...ream/lightbox/


I am trying to apply the look to this picture:

[nebulaoperator]

Targeted colour adjustment. You'll need some D&B, gradient map might help too. The photo you refer had bigger potential from the start as lighting in favour of this kind of mood you are after. But you might try to fake it. I did fake a similar lighting condition in this one.

[edgework]

I worked from the opposite direction, using shadow / highlights after successive darkening moves to pull back shadow detail.

http://edgework.tripod.com/gloom.jpg

[Rust]

Interesting approach from each of you. Edgework love the colors, think you really nailed it. Add some selective blur and some texture on top, it will look extremely close. How did you get the dark cyan/green look? Could you give the details?

[edgework]

Aside from the darkening / shadow highlight moves, I used a HSL adjustment layer with master saturation at -46, a fill layer with 40 56 71 in color mode at 57%, and another layer at the end with 81 142 255 in soft light mode at 51%. This last layer had a Blend-if slider arrangement set to target only the lighter tones.

http://edgework.tripod.com/blend-if.gif

[Cupcake]

Here is another look.

[nebulaoperator]

Got into that

[Rust]

Hey thanks for the replies. Looks like a dreamlike ,soft look you got cupcake.Interesting. Nebulaoperator: great work,yeah you really got into it the selective darkening really draws the eye to the end of the road.Also looks a bit desaturated? Would you give some details how you got there?
Here`s my try: In short terms, its different shades of blue and cyan in soft light and color mode. H/S adj. layer-colorize checked on, blend mode soft light . Selective darkening , applied with gradient tool for smooth transitions.
Some selective blur. And a texture layer on top downloaded here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/playing...440248/?page=2
And Edgework thanks for the helpful tips. Appreciate it

[Veralisa]

I've been working with textures in various blending modes for a bit and really like the atmosphere they can create. Here's what another version of a dark, moody path
and two of the textures used. Also made some fog in there but I do not think it adds too much to the image as a whole.

[nebulaoperator]

Ups I deleted my PSD. but I will try to remember:Selective D&B was most done with luminosity masks, colour was achieved with curves and selective colour just do tweakening. I don't remember how I had quiet a few layers) you'll get there. Path was desaturated and new Solid colour sat on top. For the path I sampled colour from surroundings.
Far end of the photo slightly blurred.Then I've started selective D&B. Right from the end of the photo dodge the path and when you approach to the beginning pick some stones to dodge, dodge a bit of grass.

Originally Posted by Rust

Hey thanks for the replies. Looks like a dreamlike ,soft look you got cupcake.Interesting. Nebulaoperator: great work,yeah you really got into it the selective darkening really draws the eye to the end of the road.Also looks a bit desaturated? Would you give some details how you got there?
Here`s my try: In short terms, its different shades of blue and cyan in soft light and color mode. H/S adj. layer-colorize checked on, blend mode soft light . Selective darkening , applied with gradient tool for smooth transitions.
Some selective blur. And a texture layer on top downloaded here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/playing...440248/?page=2
And Edgework thanks for the helpful tips. Appreciate it

[Rust]

Thanks for sharing, i`ll have to experiment more and i will share my result

[nebulaoperator]

Can't wait to see the results

Originally Posted by Rust

Thanks for sharing, i`ll have to experiment more and i will share my result

[Sventek]

I'd be interested in what you think of this. It was done using OnOne and Topaz plug-ins.

http://sventekoz.smugmug.com/photos/...cprNd3x-XL.jpg

[nickshek]

I've just tried a quick 2 minute edit. It's not quite as mysterious as the flickr image you've linked to but I think that's due to the way it was shot. Any good?

[Boneappetit]

My try here..

[zeeakawanted]

Whole process / PSD file: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?m6too0uc39hubpa

[Rust]

Hi and thanks for your versions. I think people getting real close.
Sventek, i like the colors and its good use of selective blur. This effeciently draw the eyes to different areas. I though i think the use of texture could be a bit more subtle.
Nicksheck: I think more use of blur would give the picture a more mysterious look, could be a bit darker at some areas. I think i should be possible to get good result, but of course it`s more flexible to adjust the exposure if you had the raw file. ( Note: it shot with d700 with carl zeiss 85mm *1,4).
Bonappetit: i like the color but, maybe a darker forground, since the eyes a drawn to lighter areas. I the original picture, it`s pretty light at the end of the path, and your eyes a drawn "into" the picture and this create depth.
Zeeakawantd: thanks for the psd i`ll check it out later, great effort, like it a lot. Maybe just a bit more shadow detail on the right and left side would be good- what do you think? Like the colors a good , maybe some selective desaturation?

[mikedimples]

Looks like the following was done:

- atmospheric perspective enhanced through reduced contrast and focus in the distance
- cool color toning with hints of red in the shadows
- overall darkening (I used curves)
- d&b to polish compositiion (by darkening things that enhance the mood like the trees in the case of this image)

Also check out a post I made on model mayhem in another thread discussing "dark" imagery: http://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?th...1#post15706637

[Sventek]

Originally Posted by Rust

Sventek, i like the colors and its good use of selective blur. This effeciently draw the eyes to different areas. I though i think the use of texture could be a bit more subtle.

Thanks, Rust, and thanks for the feedback.

[Rust]

Thanks for the reply mike. Really interesting link where you analyze, and explain what make pictures looking dark, and scary. Makes sense

[0lBaldy]

Had a go just for fun...

Loaded both pics
Select Background of WIP (Work in progress)
Ctrl+J (Layer via Copy)
Used > Image>Adjustments>Match Color (To match sample pic colors)
then
Shft+Ctrl+N {New Layer}.. Paint bright areas at top of pic with R105, G134, B140 (Mask with Linear Gradient)(Mode = Multiply @ 75% Opacity)
Shft+Ctrl+Alt+E (combine all to new layer)(Mode=Lighten) Hide all mask.. selectively lighten path with mask
New layer... Paint dark path with R105, G134, B140 (Mask with Linear Gradient) (Mode = Lighten @ 32% Opacity)
Shft+Ctrl+Alt+E (combine all to new layer)(Screen @30% Opacity)
Shft+Ctrl+Alt+E (combine all to new layer) Filter>Blur>Motion Blur @ Angle 4, Distance 4... (Mask with Linear Gradient)
Shft+Ctrl+N {New Layer}
Foreground Color = R 45, G66, B71.. Background Color = R101, G135, B 133
Filter>Render>Clouds ( Mode Normal @ 30% Opacity)
Shft+Ctrl+Alt+E (combine all to new layer)(Mode Screen @43% Opacity)