ALADIN'S CAVE...F.A.O. RONL

[FUJI]

This is another study from the dark, dusty corner of my tiny workshop, I have processed it as an example of RAW to finished Mono frame for TIPF member Ronl, who is currently  learning the very tangled web of Processing Ropes.

 

First I show the compressed for showing here, JPEG version of the original RAW shot, straight out of camera, this can be compared directly with my mono processed version that has been given the full treatment.

 

All done using Photoshop CS6 ...........You will note that I have used many layers on which to select certain areas to emphasise; mainly tonally to increase depth and textures......this takes time and much thought; it is where my creative mind comes in to play....I am making, rather than just taking a photograph.

 

There were no studio lights, no reflectors, just dusty window light plus that from the experimental LED ring light I am playing with currently.

 

After a final overall check of tones I used targeted High-Pass Filter three times on separate layers to increase texture and depth further, a final check saw the file closed for saving as a PSD file and JPEG for posting.

 

I work differently to some, by closing each layer as I go, others keep them all open for greater flexibility, but that takes up lots of disc space and memory (both, in the PC and in my old head ;-)...

 

Overall, an enjoyable exercise on a very cold and foggy morning:

 

I learned my PS skills thanks to one to one tuition, from TIPF member Bill, a Photoshop nut of a cousin and a semi pro who put in a great deal of patient time.

 

A Martin Henson DVD called ...CONTRAST GRADING.....and various YouTube tutorials helped along the way.

 

I reccomend highly that one-to-one tuition is the bet way to learn:

 

FUJI

 

 

[NannyFerret]

I am really liking the metallic look in the mono version.

[ChrisLumix]

I can see from your description and the finished image that a lot of effort has gone into it.

 

Until I joined TIPF I had no idea that all this was possible, although I find it a bit daunting at the moment I also find it exciting and am looking forward to some proper processing of my own images.

 

Do bear one very important thing in mind : you won't find two people who use exactly the same method to achieve a particular end. If you use Photoshop/Elements, there are many many different techniques on offer, most of them overlapping. Work out what works best for you, and if that's what you learn first (e.g. about Photoshop), then that's fine, until or unless you find a better way.