This isn’t a mega detailed Tutorial to start off with, more an insight into the process for creating such an image using Photoshop CS5. More advanced users will know whats going on without having to think, however, Ill break down some of the more detailed processes in future Tutorials such as Overlays (dodge & Burn) and building background plates etc.

This is a promo shoot for the Brisbane based band, Fort Kilsby collective, see completed image above, if you would like to view a slightly higher res image please see my Folio site here. http://damienquick.com/29.htm

The Original Images

Below are the original images straight out of camera in Raw Format. Quite Simple, one flash (580 exII) with a Gary Fong Diffuser on camera, with a remote triggered flash (430 exII) directly behind the subject about middle back height, 2m distance. The rear flash is cranked as high as it will go to really bring out the highlights and halos. Each image shot separately so I had complete control over the original images.

The Pink walls are due to the flash reflecting off the shirt. This was an accident that I abused later in the process to make a background plate.

Cutting out the layers

Firstly I start cutting out the layers , rough at first and organise the layout in an order that I think looks good. Remember this is a creative process so there is quite a lot of playing around with the images to see what you can possibly achieve and what might be pleasing to look at. You will notice I have attached the layer bar so you can see whats going on.

Other elements taken care of first up is the removal of the scabs on Tones arm, and general cleaning up, ie, a zit, or other minor items would be removed etc.. I also copied the shirt from Mattisan and pasted over Tones Fat Freddy’s drop logo, which wasn’t picked up on in the initial shoot. (woops)

Other more detailed items such as the record on my face (see above) had to have a bit more work done to them. We wanted to use a tiny record, so we found one of those old vinyl style CD’s and gaffed it to sunglasses along with the korg synth. This also meant that post work was going to be needed. In most cases for composite work such as this, you will need to know the process in post, at the time of the shoot to be able to know what sets and props are needed to execute such an image.

For the record, I used copies of the layer, re-sized and blended using a soft eraser tool, then adding the Hydrofunk logo (the bands record company)  and on top of that adding the shine and reflection to match the original record image. By using as many actual props as possible at the time of the shoot means less compositing and more chance of the image looking ‘real’

The Background plate

Since ive had to cut around all the people in the image Ive also had to add in the background. This gives the artist thousands of opportunities to do what ever you like. However for this shoot we really liked the odd ball pink background. But since they didn’t match up on each of the original images, I used another shot from the day and cut and pasted parts of the image (see below) then added an overlay layer of another photo I took looking directly into the flash units. (will expand on this texturing technique in later tutorials)

Tones would cover the centre so the extra image of me would be hidden. Other things done here include the removal of the background posters that were visible between the band members, and a mirror image of the right of the room for the left.

Since the ‘glow’ around everyone was removed in the cutting process, Ive had to paint it back in on separate layers. The following image shows all layers turned on except the band member’s faces. (remember the middle person isn’t seen due to Tones layer over the top)

Notice the amount of hand painting involved to blend the layers together. This image also includes the Curves 1 layer which gave it its final colour and contrast grade.

Also to help blend the images together is the use of shadows.. By referencing other shadows on the image such as the shadow on Mattisans nose from the MPC, the shadow cast from the record on my face and wrinkles on the shirts, Ive painted in shows behind Tones layer as well as an over all shadow layer.

Then once all the layers are switched on all you need to do is flatten the entire image and I also add some grain texture to look more like film processing which is done with my special up-resing technique which I will also detail in future tutorials.

Feel free to post any questions.

Enjoy

All the Tutorial images can be viewed larger by clicking on them. Or also see the tutorial set on my flickr page here. http://www.flickr.com/photos/monkwhy/sets/72157625069089609/with/5094576661/