Make Light Real

Neil October 29th, 2008

Here’s our starter image for this discussion:

here’s our finished image for this discussion:

Now you’re right that’s not the EXACT same image, but there’s just a moment’s difference – I couldn’t find the un-retouched version.

I did find a smaller resolution version – again the point of contention is the vanishing point in the composition.  You may compose this while you’re shooting – and it may be proper as you’re composing the environmental elements in your image – but what is the compelling ‘moment’ of the image?

His EYES!

So the main point I want to communicate to you when processing your images in Photoshop is to FOCUS on the best elements in the pictures you’ve shot and highlight them using both the known principles of design & art – as well as keep your tools from distracting your heart of personal inspiration.  I’ve designed the ONE ACTION set as a professional grade retouching workflow for creative expression

The difference between ‘toning’ an image and expressing it is that toning comes from a preset outside your image (applied into it). The goal of toning is to reach into your image and pull more expressive power from it with the inspired use of tonality. The emotional element of the photograph is emanating from the groom’s eyes – the environmental element of the strong line created at the ceiling corner is drawing our attention away from those eyes.  Let me refresh your memory:

As I say, I understand the darkness to experience the light.  The light of love is emanating from this groom’s eyes and I have darkened the distracting elements of the frame with a vignette from  the Veritas Vignette texture pack found in the Create Cart.    

The vignette accentuates two design principles: 1. Light colors attract our attention 2. Continuity (of the background line and window lines) is broken leaving the remaining in-tact shapes as the highlight of our attention.  Notice the gentle darkening of the groom’s collar – by no means an accident, quickly and simply controlled with the ONE ACTION’s automated layer masks and an Wacom tablet.  I restrained all the highlights in the image except for the ones accentuating the groom’s facial expression using the texture file as a vignette and basic adjustment levels in photoshop.

So what do you understand about the suggestive power of darkness?

Darkness says: “There’s nothing to see here”, “Nothing going on round here”, or “Maybe something beneath the surface, but nothing you can see”.  So darkness is your assistant when it comes to hiding elements that are distracting!  That is why we ‘Hear the Shadows‘ to listen to our creative impulses.

• Color Theory , contrast , Hear the Shadows , How To: , Inspiration , ONE Action , Photoshop Retouching , Real-light Overlays , Textures , Tutorials
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