Help understanding this technique

[noypi]

Hi,
Just want to ask the processing or technique used by this photographer/retoucher Manny Librodo, I'm always amaze how he achieved those vivid colors and also those desaturated photos.
How do you think he achieved this ? and what would be the possible workflow and post processing or is this a product of a possible plug-in ? and base some googling this are all natural lights !

here are some sample images

krystal
kharu


Thanks in advance

[amica999]

Some really nice shots! Now I can't give you the recipe, but the first one seems to have no real black or real whites and the color palette is pretty narrow.

[noypi]

@amica999
Yes, I agree really nice shots! , amazing color, do you have any idea on the post processing , thanks

[Eithne]

Have a look at this, a few years back, for a more ideas about his technique.

http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/pho...ibrodo-jr.html

[noypi]

thanks Eithne.
I've read it, and i believe its for the sharpening of the photos .
Im curious on how you will get the vivid colors both on saturated photos and those de-saturated photos, Maybe someone can give us an insight on a new approach on this kind of processing
thanks again

[Tareq]

I will do some tests later and see if what i think is true, now i can't tell exactly what he did to his images for that vivid look you after.

[noypi]

thanks Tareq
Excited for the sample image

[Johann29]

Hi noypi. retoucher here from the philippines
just to clarify theres no single plug in that can achieve that look. If you really want to learn his technique why not attend his workshop? altho it is very expensive.

My opinions on his work since ive tried to replicate his workflow.
he blurs the background a lot. he only uses natural light with reflectors. and he sometimes desaturates the background to make the subject pop.
but even if you know his workflow you cant achieve that without good models and "props"

[noypi]

Hi Johann29(kabayan) Thanks,

I agreed, that there is no single click plug-in can do that ,and also if it happened that i know the workflow it is really hard to achieved that look .

Regarding his workshop thats one of my problem , currently based here in europe and most of his workshops i think are in dubai, asia.

[skoobey]

It involves a lot of masking, a bit of blurring in box and a bit in lens way. Due to the nature of the workflow I would advise you to steer clear of that experimentation as a much better effect can be achieved by simply using the right camera and lens.

[noypi]

thanks for the advice skoobey

[Jaalpari]

manny is one of top retoucher and photographer of the world. his work has so many secrets. not easy to answer this.

[noypi]

Hi everyone, just to follow-up.
I agree that Manny is one of the top retoucher and photographer , may be someone can help with the step by step on how to pop those color, just to start.

thanks again in advance

[Johann29]

i think he's a manipulator and not a retoucher.

but on the topic. he works on complimentary colors. natural lighting and selective blurs. he pops out the iris i think by selecting it and using shadow / highlights.

and make sure the photo is sharp. i tried replicating his work ( cant really afford his workshop) but this was taken on a studio so until i get a better material i might try it again.

http://500px.com/photo/1115696

[Tareq]

Well, i am not sure when i can do that test and post here, because i don't have models, i only have my 2 little kids[daughters] to work on them, not sure kids pics are allowed here, i mean they are 8 and almost 7 years old ages, i have the permission to shoot them and post here because i am the father simply, but not sure if it is allowed to post children pics here for examples or even some will be interested in children portraiture rather than or in addition to adult portraiture.