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What might be the process of creating this?


W

Wonder Man

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Hello guys!

I'm new here, and I would like to ask you something. I saw a picture a guy posted and I am pretty curious what's the process of getting such an edit.

1523726_685604004818370_2003858706_o.jpg


Could anyone redirect me to some tutorials so I can learn how to do something similar. Also, could anyone tell me how much time does it take to edit a photo like this and, if you can, what's the process of getting it ( I mean what effects he used, how he got to this point etc.) in a final form like this one.

Best regards!
 
You seem to be making the assumption that the most important step in producing the above image was post-processing in PS or some similar program (ie, what you call, "editing").

I would bet you good money that PS (or equivalent) played a truly minor role. What you are seeing is simply good studio photography and lighting. IMHO, the only aspect of the photo that might have been significantly enhanced in PS might be the tendrils of smoke.

Tom M
 
Welcome to PSG!

There are a couple of questions here that require something more than one-word answers.

First, the photo. The real trick here to getting this effect is getting it right in the camera. Although you can use all kinds of tricks to try to copy this effect on any photo, even the professionals would find it difficult if the original shot doesn't give you the raw materials to work with. Getting the right lighting when the picture is taken is key, as is starting out with a clear, sharp, high-resolution shot.

From there the process really depends on what you start with. Is your original in black and white or color? If it's already in black and white, it might require only a curves adjustment layer, some dodging and burning and some subtle sharpening. If it's in color you'll have to convert it to black and white, which sometimes adds another layer of complexity.

How long? Again, it depends. The look of this photo seems simple but could take some time to get right. Each project is different. One photo might take ten minutes and by a lucky accident you'll get exactly what you want. Another might take an hour and you'll struggle with the details.

I guess what I'm saying is that each project is different and requires different steps. Without seeing what you're starting with we can't tell you the exact steps needed to get this look.
 
Sierraccr said:
Welcome to PSG!

There are a couple of questions here that require something more than one-word answers.

First, the photo. The real trick here to getting this effect is getting it right in the camera. Although you can use all kinds of tricks to try to copy this effect on any photo, even the professionals would find it difficult if the original shot doesn't give you the raw materials to work with. Getting the right lighting when the picture is taken is key, as is starting out with a clear, sharp, high-resolution shot.

From there the process really depends on what you start with. Is your original in black and white or color? If it's already in black and white, it might require only a curves adjustment layer, some dodging and burning and some subtle sharpening. If it's in color you'll have to convert it to black and white, which sometimes adds another layer of complexity.

How long? Again, it depends. The look of this photo seems simple but could take some time to get right. Each project is different. One photo might take ten minutes and by a lucky accident you'll get exactly what you want. Another might take an hour and you'll struggle with the details.

I guess what I'm saying is that each project is different and requires different steps. Without seeing what you're starting with we can't tell you the exact steps needed to get this look.
Click to expand...

Okay, so first of all I own a Nikon D3200 with the kit lens and also a tripod. That's all I own at the moment. Is there any way of getting a similar shot with what I have?

Greetings!
 
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Wonder Man said:
Okay, so first of all I own a Nikon D3200 with the kit lens and also a tripod. That's all I own at the moment. Is there any way of getting a similar shot with what I have? Greetings!
Click to expand...
In a word, no. Believe it or not, the camera is also a minor part of the overall process. This shot could have been done in the 1950's using a bellows (aka, "view") camera and individual sheets of black and white film.

Studio lighting is what makes this shot. Even if you have all the lights, all the lighting modifiers (eg, grids, softboxes, scrims, flags, reflectors, etc.) and a surprisingly large studio with the walls painted black (to keep stray light from bouncing around and ruining your ratios), typically, in addition to the equipment, it takes considerable studying and practice with the lighting equipment to be able to get a look like this on demand.

If you want to start small (ie, with hot-shoe level flashes), buy yourself a couple of hot-shoe flashes, a couple of cheap umbrellas and stands, and then study/practice the lighting tutorials on strobist.com

HTH,

Tom
 
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I will disagree with Mr T. for once..

I think the OP could get very close to this image with his DSLR flash and tripod. WITH LOTS of post processing.

I would start with a 5 shot HDR exposure 2 over, 1 over 2 under 1 under and proper . After getting the LOOK (either you see it or you don't) Post Process your HDR then convert that to B/W....Then start a dodge and burn process and take your time,You may need to mask things and do some selective levels ...HOPE you got enough in your shot to get all those tones.

As Tom said...nope the lighting is the trick...that will take a fair amount of equipment, and knowing how to use it.
 
I respectfully disagree with my respected peers. Although studio lighting and the best equipment make it easier to get shots of this caliber every time, I do not think it is impossible to get the effect with just a decent camera. As everyone has pointed out, lighting is key. However, I've seen people get astonishing results with a mid-range camera and lighting from a window.

If the issue is production, you will need the studio and the lights to reproduce the effect reliably. If you are looking for a one-of, it might take time and trial-and-error, but it can be done.

And, of course, post-production done with an eye.
 
Of course, Sierra, one can take incredible shots with absolutely minimal equipment (including lighting gear), and, of course you are right that I'm probably thinking more in terms of pro photography where you have to know how to (and have the equipment to) nail many different lighting "looks" with at most just a few confirmatory test shots, or your reputation will suffer.

However, even for amateurs who have the freedom of unlimited experimentation, many lighting looks are nearly impossible to do without at least some lighting equipment.

For example, I think you were hinting that the example image might be able to be reproduced using only window light. The problem is that the light in this shot is coming from well above the subject, not from the same level as his head. So, unless you have a window that is above a standing subject, your not going to be able to reproduce this directionality and simultaneously be able to locate your camera at the level of the subject's waist, looking up at his face.

Of course, if you happen to have a floor-to-ceiling window (on the correct side of the house, no shadows from trees at the time of day the sitter will show up, etc.), sure, you can darken the lower part of it by hanging a blanket over all but the very top of the window, and diffuse the light coming through the top with a sheet acting as a scrim. However, if you go to all that trouble, you might as well just position a cheap umbrella at the right height and have perfectly reproducible color balance and directionality any time of the day or night, good weather or bad. Unfortunately, even a single umbrella won't reproduce the nice hair light effect seen in the example image.

Even though the OP said, "I want to take a photo that looks something like the example", the wording of the rest of his posts sounds to me like he realizes that is a very well done look (ie, lighting style) that you almost never see produced by amateurs. So, to me, it sounds like the OP knows exactly what he wants, and a result that only approximates it would only be a distant second place finish, LOL.

Just my $0.02,

Tom
 
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