Photoshop editing techniques particularly useful for wedding photography

[CyberPet]

... to see if we can learn some more stuff about our favorite program Photoshop. I'll start with a non-wedding related image.

Before:


The before image is not edited at all, direclty from Adobe Camera Raw, just resized to show how awful of a photographer I really am.




After:


The after picture is a tad better - I think. I wanted a bit of a high key feel of the image, so this is what I did:

In Camera Raw I boosted the exposure, lightness and even the blacks. I also played in the curves a tad, to make it more high contrast.

Then I did open the image in Photoshop, duplicated the background layer and added a gaussian blur of about 5 pixels and changed the layer to blend mode Soft Light. This increase the contrast.

As the image also becomes a bit darker, I created an adjustment layer to lighten the image in the midtones and highlights, plus I created a new blank layer which is filled with grey and blend mode Overlay. I then painted with a white brush over her eyes and a bit in her hair.

Since I work in adjustment layers, I can play with different settings before I'm satisfied, so I also added a bit of a blueish tone to the image, when I felt it was a bit too warm - using Photofilter.

Lastly I cropped the image and also added a bit of a vignette, resized it, added a bit sharpening and posted it here.

So lets share some more post processing tips, that can improve both portraits and wedding photography!

[lil_miss]

What a great idea thanks for sharing.

[monter]

Originally Posted by CyberPet

... to see if we can learn some more stuff about our favorite program Photoshop. I'll start with a non-wedding related image.



In Camera Raw I boosted the exposure, lightness and even the blacks. I also played in the curves a tad, to make it more high contrast.

Then I did open the image in Photoshop, duplicated the background layer and added a gaussian blur of about 5 pixels and changed the layer to blend mode Soft Light. This increase the contrast.

As the image also becomes a bit darker, I created an adjustment layer to lighten the image in the midtones and highlights, plus I created a new blank layer which is filled with grey and blend mode Overlay. I then painted with a white brush over her eyes and a bit in her hair.

Since I work in adjustment layers, I can play with different settings before I'm satisfied, so I also added a bit of a blueish tone to the image, when I felt it was a bit too warm - using Photofilter.

Lastly I cropped the image and also added a bit of a vignette, resized it, added a bit sharpening and posted it here.

So lets share some more post processing tips, that can improve both portraits and wedding photography!

VERY cool edit! is your vignette a blue one or is it black, but it's so light it looks blue on the sky. I've seen this before and have been very curious. and PS. the original image isn't bad at all and you are a very good phtographer.

[joegolf68]

Great idea, but shouldn't this be in another Forum?

[ItsMike]

Here is my stab at some Photochopping Nothing Fancy, Just used the "Old Photo Filter" Nik prgm, and Colored in the hat and shoes manually ...

[CyberPet]

monter, it's a duplicate layer with Multiply as blending mode which I've then "cut out" a hole in (either with delete or with a layer mask, whichever you prefer). So the vignette is what the picture is, no special color.

I was hoping this thread would not be moved, as it's geared towards portraits and weddings only, those edits are very special compared to other post processing. So it would be nice if it were moved back or at least a new headline explaining it's for weddings and portraits only.

(Oh and for those who participate, share your edits, otherwise we won't learn.)

[_Jo_]

Keep it in this forum *please* as I only browse weddings - my time is so limited I don't have time to sift through every other forum and will find this info invaluable for future wedding pp! Thanks guys!

[CyberPet]

_Jo_, it's moved already.

[lostdoggy]

Originally Posted by _Jo_

Keep it in this forum *please* as I only browse weddings - my time is so limited I don't have time to sift through every other forum and will find this info invaluable for future wedding pp! Thanks guys!

Just click on User CP and New Post.

I'm in my office so can't participate in this one yet. Well at least till I get home.

[monter]

Originally Posted by CyberPet

monter, it's a duplicate layer with Multiply as blending mode which I've then "cut out" a hole in (either with delete or with a layer mask, whichever you prefer). So the vignette is what the picture is, no special color.

I was hoping this thread would not be moved, as it's geared towards portraits and weddings only, those edits are very special compared to other post processing. So it would be nice if it were moved back or at least a new headline explaining it's for weddings and portraits only.

(Oh and for those who participate, share your edits, otherwise we won't learn.)

Thanks Petra. cool method! hadn't heard of that one yet!

[CyberPet]

monter, here's a screenshot of the layer palette, so you can see how I did the masking on the duplicated layer (note the blending mode set to Multiply). You can also duplicate the vignetted layer too, if you find the vignette being too weak.

[CyberPet]

Ah, post is back. Thank you to the Mods!

[_Jo_]

Thank-you!

[CyberPet]

OK, kids. I'm hoping to see some more tips and tricks. Don't be afraid to post some "secrets". I'll be posting more later today.

[Grace]

sooc:
pshop1.jpg

edited:
Socia-Family-070-glow-a.jpg

She was beautful to begin with but had undereye circles, like most of us! I do this technique on a lot of portraits.

I first brightened the image by raising the midtone levels. then with the eyedropper select skin color close to the eye area, but before the darkness begins. With a light brush I paint over the bags. i always work in layers so I can adjust opacity if it looks to "fake". I dodged the eyes and teeth just a tad. Ran a soft glow action, masked eyes and mouth, to help even out the skin. then adjusted curves just a bit to ad more depth. Sharpened and viola!

Fun thread!
KP

ETA: i could have hit exposure a little better to help I know