HDR type Art Portrait experiment

[FUJI]

Right....here goes.....I know that speciality processing isn't everyone's cup of tea, but if we don't do. we don't learn or develop as Photographer/Artists.............

 

.I was looking at HDR type portraits done by an American Photographer the other day, I really liked the look of them....he has a great YouTube tutorial if anyone else is interested.

 

The Portraits chosen do need to be the already gritty type characters on which certain processes can be used, these aren't to flatter or to smooth out wrinkles, blemishes and spots, instead these aren't exactly emphasised, but are an essential part of the character.

 

So a Strong Character, very close up is essential, so please don't try this technique on a photo of your loved one :-)

 

Marmite-Like Yes? Because it is more than a step or two away from a bog standard portrait, it is creeping towards a work of Art....a little like the ...Andrew Wyeth Paintings....(Google Him)

 

But does it ring any bells for anyone on here?

 

 

Best viewed LARGE....Click on Pic:

 

 

FUJI

[Black Pearl]

I can live with the processing style which is an interesting experiment but the hellish over sharpening ruins it I'm afraid.

[JHFoto]

Indeed..............

[FUJI]

I can live with the processing style which is an interesting experiment but the hellish over sharpening ruins it I'm afraid.

 

 

A very interesting observation BP.......the whole process (as learned) is via using nothing but the .....HIGH PASS.....Filter set pretty high......then messing with Saturation, Vibrance and Contrast sliders....the over sharpening is the technique.

 

I am still learning:

 

FUJI

[ChrisLumix]

I quite like it, but for me it has a magenta cast which needs correcting:

 

[Guest]

A very interesting observation BP.......the whole process (as learned) is via using nothing but the .....HIGH PASS.....Filter set pretty high......then messing with Saturation, Vibrance and Contrast sliders....the over sharpening is the technique.

 

I am still learning:

 

FUJI

 

Fuji I have used the HDR type technique for male portraits quite few times but this method using the high pass sharpening as the major tool just does not cut it for me, you would be better of using a combination of the shadow and highlight, clarity and in moderation the high pass filter if your software does not do HDR.

 

How much you use it depends on the image in some cases it can improve a male portrait without appearing over done,I can post a few before and after example if you wish.

[FUJI]

Cheers folks....

Olypaul...........thanks for that, I am keen to develop my own style and way of doing this kind of portrait.....in my head,I did question the use of the ...High Pass Filter.....but I liked the video tutorial results, so had a go.

I can see, that it is oversharpened, I can see, the magnets cast drawn attention to by Chris.........but I still like it.

Methinks, I will explore similar avenues using the HDR filter in TOPAZ .......I am determined to beat this, to get satisfactory results.

Watch this space.

FUJI

[ChrisLumix]

What blending mode do you use with High pass, Fuji? I was told to always use 'soft light' with High Pass but even that sometimes is too much. I now rarely use it since reading the Katrin Eismann stuff - instead of HP, I use Smart Sharpen with Amount circa 22 Radius circa 9.9 and then fade or adjust the opacity.

Judy

 

I believe you can use Overlay, Hard or Soft Light, depending on the subject / image. I find the trick is to set the strength of the filter so that the edges can just be seen in the grey ... then use layer opacity if it's too much. But you're quite right, it's far from being the only sharpening tool.

[FUJI]

For your perusal....

This is the tutorial that set me off on this track......I really like the effect whichever way it is achieved.

FUJI

[FUJI]

THE FINAL CUTS....

 

Right! having taken in all you have said and suggested, here are two (final) versions, one colour, one mono, of the same portrait developed afresh from the original RAW file. 

 

No deliberate or over sharpening this time, just a careful use of the TOPAZ HDR Filters, then a push in saturation for those hypnotic eyes, then a push up the Exposure bracket.

 

Yes!....I realise it may be Marmite to some.....but please check out what other photographers are doing.

 

Best viewed LARGE.....Click on Pic:

 

 

 

FUJI

[ChrisLumix]

Instead of cropping tight into the face (as per the video you posted), you've elected to use what appears to be a mist encroaching on his bald pate. That doesn't do it for me - either his baldness should be fully gleaming in all its glory - that's his character, surely? - or else perhaps crop tight to the face.

 

I feel confident you will get this picture just the way you want it eventually!

[FUJI]

Here you go Chris........your wish is my command Oh! Master ;-)

Cropped on the iPad.......very reluctant to cut his beard in half though..

FUJI