An episode to talk about the creation of the “Extraterrestrial Totem” image. This includes a step by step post-processing overview.
After last week’s “Monday’s Spectrum Exploration” very much experimental approach, we’re going to more refinement in this episode. Also, I will write a bit more about the process used to create this image.
Let’s take a look first…
Extraterrestrial Totem
I expect that the first thing you notice is a more natural, blue sky tone in this image. Also, I brought a bit of color into the foliage as part of the process.
Let’s go over the process in a bit more detail:
The first step is to import the RAW image file into the Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) utility. As part of the CLiR Mastery Course, I have a number of profiles installed that are specific for my camera. In this case I chose the Canon EOS 5D MkII CLiR Swap 3 profile, which takes care of the Red/Blue channel swap and produces a nice blue sky.
Now I let ACR open the file in PhotoShop, copied the layer and did a little bit of cleanup. There was a pesky little branch that went into the clouds and annoyed me.
Next step I took the cleaned up layer back into ACR; as I use Tony Kuyper’s TK9 plugins, this is really straightforward. In ACR, I look for a profile that gets me close to the look that I want, which was Artistic 03 in this case. There are plenty of great choices and, if you haven’t yet, I encourage you to explore ACR.
Then I create another copy of the layer and apply a bit of sharpening using Unsharp Mask. Another copy is made of that layer, which I blend using the Soft Light mode. This is a regular part of my processing technique; I always keep the opacity fairly low (< 10%); in this case I went a bit higher, as it looked great.
I add a bit of contrast and some brightness to get the correct feel.
Recently I started adding a Black & White layer with very low opacity. You may think this a rather odd choice, but I find that it’s a great way to control saturation in the image.
That’s all there is to it! I hope some of you might find this process overview useful. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
A Fresh Perspective
Photography is more than just a vehicle for capturing the world around me; it provides me with a palette and a set of brushes, with which I paint not only what I see, but also look to express the emotions that are evoked by the scene in front of me in that moment.
Growing up in the Netherlands exposed me to a wide cross-section of visual arts that laid the foundation of my photographic view of all that surrounds me. Early influences were the Dutch Masters of the 17th century, to whom I was introduced by my grandfather during museum explorations; favorites among them are the scenes of quotidian life depicted by Jan Steen and Frans Hals and the vivid landscapes of Jacob van Ruisdael.
My classical high school education was supplemented by the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum, where I spent many a lunch hour exploring its great collection. Here I was introduced to surrealism with a particular love for the approach taken by Salvador Dali; Dali also rekindled my appreciation for the work of Hieronymus Bosch, who often showed the folly of us mortals.
Universal Connections
My approach to any photographic subject is to look for understanding first; in this I look to establish either a connection between the viewer and the subject or capture the connection of the subject with its surroundings. The captured image then aims to portray this connection from a perspective that is part of my personal interpretation.
This interpretation is often a form of externalized introspection, which may alternately display the connection of isolated beings and items with their environment or highlight the whimsy of the profound world, in which we find ourselves. The universe is full of connections, many of which are waiting to be discovered; part of my journey as a photographer is to document these connections.
Any assignment, be it an event, a product shoot or a portrait session is always approached through communication with the client; this is where the first connection is established. Ideas are exchanged and a collaborative plan of action forms, ultimately resulting in a set of images that aim to exceed the expectations of each client.
And, lest we forget, it is important to have fun while practicing the serious business of photography!
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