How to get the merkley effect?

[DavidPhoto]

I'd like to create an over-saturated effect similar to what I have seen on flickr. I have tried over-saturating, increasing contrast, playing with hue etc in PS and come close but still cant seem to hit it quite right.

Does anyone know how I can achieve the effect similar to the deitada's in this guy Merkley's flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/merkley/ or Sanchez flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/threefourmedia/
***Warning, may be NSFW

[stathunter]

His work looks like HDR.

[DavidPhoto]

bump

[griptape]

UWA lens, appears to be a ring flash, and some post processing.

[DavidPhoto]

I doubt its a ringflash. I know he uses a P&S camera but its the PP I'm after.

[griptape]

^He's using an olympus e-410. It's an SLR.

[DavidPhoto]

hmmn. I know for a fact he used to use a P&S digital. Whatever though it really doesnt matter a heck of a lot. Still looking for some PP help!

[m33p33]

all of his photos appear have had a Levels layer and a curves layer implemented. Download some Curves cross processing actions and see where that gets you.

There is a lot more than just color shifts and saturation adjustments going on in these photos however.

try this:
duplicate layer
Run a luminosity mask (ctrl-alt-~)
past the mask
set the layer as overlay and set the opacity from 40-60%
Merge down image
duplicate layer
run on of these actions (http://mutato-nomine.deviantart.com/art/Cross-Processing-ATN-37361895)
set opacity to desired strength.
Run a Hue/Sat layer and tinker with that.

Like I said there are a lot more elements that color in his photos to get some of these looks. USM, Hi-pass Filters and dodge/burn layers to name a few.
And there is some ring flash most definitely being used in the more recent photos.

[griptape]

hmmn. I know for a fact he used to use a P&S digital. Whatever though it really doesnt matter a heck of a lot. Still looking for some PP help!
Well if you look at the exif of the image you posted, you'll see he's moved on:

[Image]
Image Description = If you ain't a <a href="http://flickr.com">member</a> or you ain't <a href="http://flickr.com">signed in</a> with your <a href="http://www.flickr.com/account/prefs/safesearch/?from=privacy">"Safe Search" OFF</a> , then you ain't seein what you oughtta. Take the appropriate measures or don't.

or you could just use this <a href="http://www.flickr.com/gp/72738986@N00/PU3469">Guest Pass</a>
Make = OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP.
Model = E-410
Orientation = top/left
X Resolution = 72
Y Resolution = 72
Resolution Unit = inch
Software = Adobe Photoshop CS3 Macintosh
Date Time = 2008-07-21 17:51:30
Artist = merkley???
YCbCr Positioning = co-sited
Copyright = merkley???
Exif IFD Pointer = Offset: 1232
PrintIM Data = 528 Byte

[Camera]
Exposure Time = 1/30"
F Number = F2.8
Exposure Program = Aperture priority
ISO Speed Ratings = 400
Exif Version = Version 2.21
Date Time Original = 2008-04-26 21:13:23
Date Time Digitized = 2008-04-26 21:13:23
Components Configuration = YCbcr
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Max Aperture Value = F2.8
Metering Mode = Pattern
Light Source = unknown
Flash = Flash fired, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length = 11mm
User Comment =
Flashpix Version = Version 1.0
Color Space = Uncalibrated
Exif Image Width = 500
Exif Image Height = 385
File Source = DSC
Custom Rendered = Normal process
Exposure Mode = Auto exposure
White Balance = Auto white balance
Digital Zoom Ratio = 1x
Scene Capture Type = Normal
Gain Control = High gain up
Contrast = Normal
Saturation = Normal
Sharpness = Soft

[Thumbnail Info]
Compression = JPEG Compressed (Thumbnail)
X Resolution = 72
Y Resolution = 72
Resolution Unit = inch
JPEG Interchange Format = Offset: 1894
JPEG Interchange Format Length = Length: 9761

[Thumbnail]
Thumbnail = 160 x 123


Some of his other work appears to use the LucisArt filter.

[DavidPhoto]

all of his photos appear have had a Levels layer and a curves layer implemented. Download some Curves cross processing actions and see where that gets you.

There is a lot more than just color shifts and saturation adjustments going on in these photos however.

try this:
duplicate layer
Run a luminosity mask (ctrl-alt-~)
past the mask
set the layer as overlay and set the opacity from 40-60%
Merge down image
duplicate layer
run on of these actions (http://mutato-nomine.deviantart.com/art/Cross-Processing-ATN-37361895)
set opacity to desired strength.
Run a Hue/Sat layer and tinker with that.

Like I said there are a lot more elements that color in his photos to get some of these looks. USM, Hi-pass Filters and dodge/burn layers to name a few.
And there is some ring flash most definitely being used in the more recent photos.

thanks m33p33 I'll try some of that.

[m33p33]

Post some results. I'd like to see how far off I am.

[DavidPhoto]

Unfortunately I can't post results here - there is some nudity in the pic I am working with.
I have done quite a bit of PP on the image already though. The luminosity mask got me a little closer (but I'm still pretty far off). I've touched up the skin (though not to the degree merkley or sanchez do), gaussian blur, add noise, photo filter, hue/sat, curves, and vignette. Way more than I would normally do!

[m33p33]

Try using the luminosity mask on two photo filters (play with colors)and inverting the mask on one. Make one multiply and one screen.