Post Processing

Eye-level

Banned
I think a very important part of your strategy should be to get your camera settings such that your photos are as close as possible to what you are after so that you can minimize post processing. And remember light conditions mean all the world!!!

From the gist of what I have been reading you are a portait shooter like myself. You are after a basically neutral background (color temperature wise) with correct skin tones and features that have some pop to them.

I posted the photo above...it is much much cleaner at higher resolution and exhibits the effect much better (a high resolution scan printed on a 5X7 makes for an almost 3D picture!)...but what you have there is a Fuji Pro 160S film shot on a January day probably F5.6 or F8 overcast no shadows light 115mm lens...there are two kinds of Fuji Pro 160 film - 160S (skin) and 160C (contrast) and the thing both have in common is they both are very neutral grey balanced. I can assure you they produce a certain look compared to each other and to any other kind of film.

So...I think some of those camera settings that I talked about in the beginning of this post should be something like what Anthony Herald mentioned above..."try toying with the WB temperature setting" my advice make it as neutral grey as possible and shoot under fairly neutral light. As far as softness goes I would go back to what he said in the very beginning of the thread...desaturation and lower contrast...in regard to the saturation you are going to have be very careful...the less saturation the more flat those warm skin tones will become until they are finally not warm at all...it is because of this that you have to have the initial settings as close as possible to your look...

I hope this is of some help sir! Basically get the white balance temperature like a very neutral grey and don't shoot in harsh light and be careful which way you tweak the saturation...
 
Last edited:

ThePhotoLegend

Senior Member
Why not send the guy an email and ask what his technique is?

Actually I have been in dialogue with this particular photographer but have not really received any indication yet as to technique. I am reluctant to request the assistance, time and instruction before I feel out their willingness to share their secrets. I understand it can be a lot to take the time to educate an amateur like myself, and to be honest, outside of rare communities like this one I have not found professionals willing to share and open up about their techniques. Perhaps it is a means to guard their style and maintain their originality (which I could understand) but those who I have approached have not been very willing to open up and take the time to share. In general I have found the photography world to be guarded and a bit brutal towards newbies.
 

Eye-level

Banned
Shoot, shoot, and shoot some more and remember none of us have invented anything ever...we only discover what is already there and needing to be revealed!

Picasso...hahaha

Picasso could teach you ever trick he knew if he were still alive...you could master his technique like no one else...still you would never be Picasso! ;)
 

Browncoat

Senior Member
...but those who I have approached have not been very willing to open up and take the time to share. In general I have found the photography world to be guarded and a bit brutal towards newbies.
Yes, that's very typical. I've blogged about this (and made several posts here too) and what you're experiencing is nothing new. The fact is, many 'togs feel as if they're protecting some sort of trade secret when it comes to their technique. You will often find that only those at the highest end of this profession (Scott Kelby, Chase Jarvis, etc.) are willing to share.

On the flip side, I have had a lot of success in talking shop with others too. I joined the ASMP awhile back and have found that many of the members there openly share their thoughts on a wide range of topics.
 
Top