The After and Before forum is organised by Stacy Fischer, it is a place where amateurs as well as seasoned photographers explain the wow and how about their photo and editing decision.
You can read more here about how to take part.
One again One Photo Focus has come along and Katie Prior has given her image to the forum, for us all to edit.
When I saw this photo I knew I wanted to go black and white. There is a lot of texture in the image that would work nicely with monotone. I also thought that a slight colour toning would work quite well as well.
First I opened the picture in Camera Raw and changed the process to an earlier version of camera raw. I did this because I wanted to have the old sliders recovery and fill in light. In pushing these to the max I can get a faux HDR look that brought out more if the texture in the picture.
I used the Channel mixer to create my black and white toning. By mixing the channels until the total was 100%.
I used a combination of curves adjustments to add contrast to the image. I used a strong S curve to create my base contrast adjustment. I then used more selective adjustments for three areas of the image; Sky, Sea and Pier. The curve adjustments were made selectively using a layer mask. The sky adjustment had a second curves adjustment clipped to the sky curves layer, this was to darken the sky are a bit more.
I wanted to darken the whole image slightly. Instead of using brightness and contrast, I placed a photo filter adjustment layer below the channel mixer layer with a yellow tone. Using a colour underneath the channel mixer layer allows you to manipulate the black and white toning.
I wanted to create a colour toning. There are so many ways to do this and I went for the duotone. I did this by creating a stamp visible layer (shift ctrl alt E). I duplicated this layer into a new document and changed the blending mode to duo tone. I selected a colour to be the second tone and then adjusted the curve to finish off the effect. I copied the new duotone layer to my original document and set the blending to color.
I wanted to remove some people from the image. I really liked the silhouette of the people in the background and for me it is kind of the focus of the image. The two people in the foreground kind of distracting and I removed them.
I added some noise just for texture and used the high pass method to sharpen the image. On the sharpening layer I used the layer mask to make the sharpening selective; to make the end of the pier sharper.
I created a vignette to draw focus to end of the pier.
I actually realised when reviewing the video below that I in fact added the sharpening last. I quite like the final image, there is something mysterious about the image. I really want to know what the people at the end of the pier; why are they there, what can they see?
If you want to see me editing at high speed check out the video below.
I would love to know what you think of the image or if you would like just say hi in the comment box below.
Also please head over to Stacy’s blog to see the other participant’s entries into this weeks forum
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I really like the tone in this b&w Ben. And the placement of the vignette is clever.
Thanks, I really like having vignettes like this in a picture instead of just darkening the edges. I find it helps with the composition and is unique to every image.
I agree. I just never think to use them…. A new challenge for me!!
I love all that. Looks amazing.
Thanks Mary.
Ben…amazing work. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Hi Brenda, I love to share my photographic knowledge and I am glad you liked the editing of Katie’s picture.
Magical! Thank you for the video! 🙂
I thought the video would be interesting for some, although it is sped up you can get a feel of how I edit. Glad you like it Amy.
Wow Ben that is so good. Love the video! Thank you
Thanks Julie, I quite like how the image turned out. it’s great you like the video.
I do and the fact that you take the time to do it for us! Brilliant ..
Well, what absolute fun your video is, Ben! I loved watching the image emerge (and it’s clear that post-processing can be steps forward and backware and in-between!). I also agree that removing the foreground couple was the way to go here (though, sadly, I did’t think to do this). It certainly strengthens the composition. Great final image!
Hi Stacy, yes editing it a backward and forward sort of thing. I think it comes from my approach of making strong adjustments and then reducing them, just something I have always done.
P.S. Looking forward to editing your image!
I am still choosing what I should put forward.
What, Ben’s image is next? Wonder if it will be a bug? 😀 This works so well in monochrome and I love how you got to the final version, step by step. It goes to show how “simple” things can be multi layered.
I have been thinking about a bug picture Lore, but i am not sure.
This picture when I saw it I knew I wanted it black and white it just sprang out at me.
Lovely in monochrome, Ben, just lovely.
Thank You Lynne.
I absolutely love your fast motion editing tutorial. It gives me so many ideas of things to try- like your selective highlighting and shadows. Thanks, Ben. your final image is so smooth and elegant and soothing!
I think that video has been a bit, I will have to try and make more for these Friday posts. I am glad this image has given you some inspiration.
This looks great in mono, especially with the toning, it really helps to bring out the textures and the placing of the vignette works so well. I love the hypnotic video, I just might even watch it again!
Ben – your process is always fascinating. I love the end result – the textures really came up! Thanks for recording and sharing it with us.
Nancy