Unit Title: Advanced Image editing

Unit Code: H37V 35

Assessment: Summative

Nathan Ross

Outcome 1 – Research Workbook

Technique 1 – Frequency Separation

Image by Phlearn

Frequency Separation is a skin softening technique, used to smoothen out rough or blotchy skin. This is an essential technique for use in portraiture, beauty and fashion photography. This image is a standard beauty portrait that has been created as an example for Phlearn tutorials. The use of this technique has been successfully applied to this image as the model’s skin is appearing smooth and un blemished, without being overdone. As for my own production, I apply this technique to all of my portraits and will continue to do so.

Technique 2 – Colour Grading

Image by Lina Tesch

Colour Grading is a popular technique used by creatives to provide a sense of mood or a certain feel to images. This image of Toni Mahfud, taken by Lina Tesch which was merely used as part of Toni’s Instagram branding, uses his specific style of colour grading that he applies to all his images. In this case, the grading has been used to apply something of a golden hue to the highlights to create an ethereal mood, with a slight hint of cyan in the shadows to contrast this. This technique has successfully made the image very bright, eye catching and aesthetically pleasing. I myself use a specific style and technique of colour grading that I apply to all of my images to enhance the mood, so that is how I will continue to utilize it.

Technique 3 – Compositing

Image by Erik Johansson

Erik’s whole thing is creating art pieces through digital compositing, combining various images that he has taken himself. Compositing is the technique of taking separate images and blending them together in photoshop. There are various ways to do this, with the most popular being cutting and pasting with the lasso tool and the use of layer masks to selectively reveal the separate images against the canvas image. This image was created as part of a commercial campaign for Toyota. This use of the technique is very striking here and has created this other worldy fantasy land for the viewer to immerse themselves into, with the message behind it being that Toyota cars can take you on the journey of a lifetime. I would not use this technique for any of my personal projects, however this technique is essential in the advertising world, therefore will absolutely be applied to any advertising work I produce.

Technique 4 – Luminosity Masking

Image by Jimmy McIntyre

Luminosity Masking is a technique of applying non-destructive, selective adjustments throughout an image through the use of colour channels. The technique is most commonly used in landscape photography. This image has been created with the sole intent being to show an example for this tutorial. It is evident how the luminosity masks have been applied through the brightness of the posts in the water, which would have been very dark in the original base exposure as the little light there is in the image, is coming from off in the distance behind the mountains. The use of luminosity masking has proved very effective in this image as there is a clear and even exposure throughout the whole image. Personally, I do not intend to use luminosity masking as it does not match my workflow and the way I like my final images to appear, so it will not be informing any of my final production.

Technique 5 – Element Composite

Image by Brandon Woelfel

Element Composite is a technique that is used to add more if a certain effect or object into the frame by cutting from one image and blending it into another image, either via regular pasting or through the use of layer masks. This image is merely one of Brandon’s many portfolio/personal images that he creates on a regular basis, mostly for use on his Instagram. In this image, Brandon has added more of the “bokeh” balls created by the fairly lights used, into the frame. Mostly because he is just a bokeh obsessed mad man. He has done well in seamlessly blending the additional bokeh into the image and it does well to frame the subject, even if there isn’t any purpose behind it other than eye candy. I tend to shy away from effects like this as it doesn’t typically fit in with the sorts of images I like to make, however, I may find use for the method within advertising. Remains to be seen.

Technique 6 – Channel Mixer

Image by Nathan Ross (aka myself)

Channel mixer, with the way it has been used here, is a method of adjusting the exposure of separate colour channels within an image. When utilized in conjunction with different blending modes, either overlay, soft light, hard light or luminosity, this technique can be used to apply a very specific kind of hard contrast, desaturation and manipulation of skin tone, often making it darker. In this image, I used the channel mixer to darken the skin to a degree, apply the contrast, and bring out the fantastical light in the sky. This technique requires a very delicate touch and can easily be overdone; however, I think I reached a good balance here with the way I used it.

Technique 7 – Double Exposure

Image by Eric Floberg

Double exposure can be done both in camera, and in post. In a nutshell, double exposure is a method of having two exposures overlapping in the same frame, with the two elements in the above image being the woman, and the raindrops. Double exposure can be achieved simply by using a combination of cutting and pasting, layer masking and adjusting opacity and blend modes appropriately. The context of the above image is from a couple shoot in Eric’s style. Eric is known for his frequent use of double exposure in his photography. The use of the effect here is quite strong and well done, almost conveying a sense of drama and melancholy. I could see it being used as a visual aid for a Lana Del Ray song for whatever reason. Double exposure isn’t typically something I would even think about using, but if done right, I could see it being a very welcome addition to a fashion shoot of mine. Remains to be seen.

Technique 8 – Time Blending

Image by Fabio Antenore

Time blending is a multiple image stitching technique used to apply certain aspects from different images, shot by bracketing different times of day, whether it be minutes or hours apart, and combined to create hyper real landscape imagery in post. This image is part of Fabio’s overall business, where he creates images to sell as fine art prints, as well as use as example images for his workshops. You can see where the use of the time blending technique has been used, not only because of the delicately crafted exposure across the whole image, but also because of the fact there is the bright, orange flare on the left side of the image, likely shot just as the sun started to set, then the contrasting blue sky on the right hand side of the image. This effect proves to be very effective in capturing a viewers attention, and it is evident from the outset that it is not a mere snapshot. I may choose to use this technique to inform my environment project.

Technique 9 – Dodge and Burn Retouch

Image by Anna Dunlop

Dodging and burning in a face retouching context, is used to selectively brightening and/or darken certain areas of the face that perhaps need a little bit more of an enhancement than was able to be captured on set. As per dodge and burn as a concept, this is done by use of a fill layer, filled with 50% grey, combined with appropriate selective use of the dodge and burn tools, or brush tool, depending on your preference. The context of this image was a studio beauty portrait test between Anna and another photographer. Anna has done well here to enhance the image, creating a flattering glow across the face, which doesn’t come across as overdone. This is a technique that I may opt to use for any beauty shoots or general portrait shoots that I do myself in the studio.

Technique 10 – Eye Enhancement

Image by Xenia Lau

Eye enhancements are, as the name would, is a method of retouching focused on enhancing the detail, brightness and colour of a subjects eyes. This can be done a variety of ways, but the most complex and effective is through breaking down the enhancement on separate sections of the eye, via the use of separate tools and blend modes on a series of separate layers, then using layer masks to bring it all together. The context of this image is for Xenia’s personal portfolio projects. Xenia has done well to implement the eye enhancement method into her own personal style and it fits well with the photo itself and the processing surrounding it. I don’t normally opt of extreme close ups, however I will for the current fashion briefs, and if I feel it is necessary to give a little pizzazz, then I shall opt to do so.