clamshell lighting test shot w/ rim light

[gmonkeh]

Just experimenting with some different lighting setups. This shot I have one light w/ silver umbrella directly above me (SB800), a reflector at waist level of model in front. Imagine a clamshell.

The above setup worked as is but I wanted to add some rim lighting to the right and behind the model to the mix.....

Shot with my new Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 I'm really loving the versatility of this lens, and I only got it for $200 new!

http://www.pbase.com/gmonkeh/image/87179637.jpg

[JimW]

Another beautiful shot. Man, your skin treatment looks really interesting. If you're willing to discuss it, I'd love to ask how you're reducing those skin values so much.

Minor nitpicks: the magenta looks a little high on nose and ear, the rim light caught the nose, and the reflector catchlight is slighly wierd but that could just be my personal taste. (I'd vote to remove it in post.)

Overall, the lighting works. It's interesting and has life.

[Shane422]

I like the shot a lot myself. Please do describe your skin treatment. Your pics have a silk like look, yet keep their clarity that I like.

I also have the 28-75 Tamron and it stays on the camera most of the time. But $200 was a steal. I got lucky and got a Demo for $300.

[evoryware]

You have given your wife a nice portfolio! :thumb
I look in a lot of fashion magazines and I see plenty of shots with 4 and 5 catchlights in each eye. I think this is a very nice shot!

[gmonkeh]

Here's a really good tutorial on retouching. http://www.half-lime.com/faq/?fid=937d16bb-1e6c-47a3-af9a-bc01b171568f
It's a little long and complicated. I actually use a modified version of the linked technique. I have it as an action and dont remember the exact steps that I did (ill dissect it and post later on). But usually I remove the blemishes zooming in close using a combo of healing brush and clone stamp.

Then I run the "porcelain skin" steps from the above tute, and tweak the settings to my liking.

Then I use a dodge and burn technique using curves adjustment layers to emphasize highlights and shadows.

I'll take a look again and see if I can dissect what I did, I usually record in actions what I experiment with in PS cause usually I forget what the hell it was that I did :)

or better yet download my action here.....
http://www.reverbphotography.com/alex-skinsmooth.atn
http://www.reverbphotography.com/d&b-curves.atn

if you have any questions at all msg me or post here.....

Thanks for the response guys, it's greatly appreciated.

Alex

Using above technique

http://www.pbase.com/gmonkeh/image/87170285.jpg

[gmonkeh]

One more from tonight..... used the technique above then added High Pass Filter at a high value then changed layer to "soft light" giving it the edge.

http://www.pbase.com/gmonkeh/image/87179345.jpg

[JimW]

Alex,

Just saw your response, many thanks. I've bookmarked the tute and will study it. However, when I click on the atn links, a box pops up and the OK button is greyed out. I've never used actions yet, so am not sure why it won't let me click ok. Any ideas? I have CS3 up and running.

Anyway, thank you for those links. I'm very interested in this issue. (And that last shot is another winner - just outstanding.)