Post-Processing Is Fun
I've been tinkering with my Soft Light Contrast Boost technique, and I've paired it with a couple of other "secrets" to help make a boring image more interesting. Here's an example using what I had for lunch today — the first shot is just the basic image, with standard balance and curve adjustments:
Not 100% technically accurate — and only mildly interesting, if that. Throw in some Photoshop tweakage, and you get the following:
This is kind of a hybrid cross-processed, soft light boosted adjustment, and one similar to the effect I used on my Bug Man self portrait:
The point is that only a couple of minor adjustments can take an image from okay and nice, to really eye-catching. Contrast is my new addiction, and if you pursue professional images, you'll see that — color or black and white — the ones that grab your attention are the ones that pop.
An obvious statement, of course, but one a lot of photographers forget, because they take the shots and only spend 10 minutes fixing an image. The truth of the matter is that most of the work is done in post-processing, and that's where most non-professionals are lacking. Don't forget: there's a reason "the industry" spends so much money in post-processing — because "the industry" knows it makes all the difference.
For non-professionals, things to always remember to look for at the most basic post-processing levels are facial blemishes (of any sort). You can have a "great" portrait, and the client will be happy — but if you smooth skin in problem areas, slightly whiten teeth, brighten the eyes, remove odd wrinkles that distract from the character rather than support the character, smooth out veins on the hands, feet, etc., your photo will — on an almost subconscious level — become an "awesome" photo to the client. It's all about making slight changes that people notice without knowing they notice. You don't want to airbrush images to death, of course, but you also don't want a client's imperfections to be showcased in print for God and country to see.
Making a lot of little changes has a great overall impact — if you make those changes correctly. And that's where non-pros need to focus their time, because there's no good reason to settle for well enough if you can make it great. So make yourself spend twice the amount of time in post-processing that you spent behind the lens, and your clients will love you all the more.
Not 100% technically accurate — and only mildly interesting, if that. Throw in some Photoshop tweakage, and you get the following:
This is kind of a hybrid cross-processed, soft light boosted adjustment, and one similar to the effect I used on my Bug Man self portrait:
The point is that only a couple of minor adjustments can take an image from okay and nice, to really eye-catching. Contrast is my new addiction, and if you pursue professional images, you'll see that — color or black and white — the ones that grab your attention are the ones that pop.
An obvious statement, of course, but one a lot of photographers forget, because they take the shots and only spend 10 minutes fixing an image. The truth of the matter is that most of the work is done in post-processing, and that's where most non-professionals are lacking. Don't forget: there's a reason "the industry" spends so much money in post-processing — because "the industry" knows it makes all the difference.
For non-professionals, things to always remember to look for at the most basic post-processing levels are facial blemishes (of any sort). You can have a "great" portrait, and the client will be happy — but if you smooth skin in problem areas, slightly whiten teeth, brighten the eyes, remove odd wrinkles that distract from the character rather than support the character, smooth out veins on the hands, feet, etc., your photo will — on an almost subconscious level — become an "awesome" photo to the client. It's all about making slight changes that people notice without knowing they notice. You don't want to airbrush images to death, of course, but you also don't want a client's imperfections to be showcased in print for God and country to see.
Making a lot of little changes has a great overall impact — if you make those changes correctly. And that's where non-pros need to focus their time, because there's no good reason to settle for well enough if you can make it great. So make yourself spend twice the amount of time in post-processing that you spent behind the lens, and your clients will love you all the more.
posted by Maury @ 2:54 PM Permalink | 2 comments so far 
2 Comments:
Yep, post-processing is everything. I can spend an hour taking pictures of a family and easily spend 3 hours or more afterward editing and tweaking. That's where the real work is, but it's so rewarding to see the finished product and think, "Cool, I did that." On a side note, I love RAW. I don't plan on ever shooting in anything but RAW again.
Hi, I found someone who has stolen your content:
http://www.drmccally.cc/2008/12/26/post-processing-is-fun/
I am just letting you know because this nimrod stole some of mine as well.
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