Ian and should work together... we do many things in the same way. Stands... stands and more stands. They hold reflectors, cutters, gobos and even hold my curtains inplace.
Your got the right idea though. It not always about having lots of light... its about controlling that light that you have and making it fall just where you want it to.
ferdi wrote:
John I look forward to more of your work, you haven't posted any for a while now, so when's the next one? I need more inspiration!
Thanks Ferdinand. I do wish I had more time. Posting the work isn't all that time consuming. Responding to the comments and compliments does take a lot of time (because I want to make sure I answer each reply.)
Using the lasso tool in photoshop, roughly/quickly draw a line around the area that you want blurred,staying close to the model. Set the feather to 10 pixels. Create a new layer via Copy Layer. From the Filter menu, choose Blur, then Gaussian Blur, set the radius to 80 and press OK. You will notice that some of the blur will go into unwanted areas (i.e., the model's skin or clothes.) Now select the Eraser tool, make it large enough with a soft edge. Go around and erase the bluring in the unwanted areas.
I played around with this a bit. Unfortunately I only have Photoshop Elements 2.0 and not CS so perhaps I don't have exactly the same tools. Exactly how close do you get when you lasso? I tried to stay outside - but close to - the subject but when I blur I get what appears to be a shadow around the subject, perhaps due to the feathering. Do you try to stay away from the subject or inside the subject? Also, I don't see an option to use the eraser as an undo blur tool. Is this only an option in CS and not Elements? I assume you zoom WAY in to do the undo since the edges in your photos appear so sharp?
DukeK wrote:
JohnE,
I played around with this a bit. Unfortunately I only have Photoshop Elements 2.0 and not CS so perhaps I don't have exactly the same tools. Exactly how close do you get when you lasso? I tried to stay outside - but close to - the subject but when I blur I get what appears to be a shadow around the subject, perhaps due to the feathering. Do you try to stay away from the subject or inside the subject? Also, I don't see an option to use the eraser as an undo blur tool. Is this only an option in CS and not Elements? I assume you zoom WAY in to do the undo since the edges in your photos appear so sharp?
Thanks,...Show more →
I get close with the marching ants sometimes touching the model. You don't have to be perfect. It usually takes me no more than 5 seconds to draw a rough line around the model. And yes, as expected, the blur will encroach on the edges of the model. The key is to make sure you create a new layer in which the blur resides. Then you use the eraser to erase the blur from the layer over the skin. (I've never used PS Element, so I'm assuming that you can create layers in Elements. If not, this technique will unfortunately not work.)
Elements does have layers but I am just confused on the "undo blur" eraser part and I am pretty much a novice using the software. Are you using the "erase to saved" option with the eraser to undo the blur? (That's a feature Elements does not have) Or is there an actual "undo the last action" eraser in CS?
Basically when I follow your instructions I end up with a background layer that shows the entire picture and another layer with the rough hewn subject. I then blur the background layer as you state. From there I'm pretty much still lost
Sorry for all the questions and thanks a lot for the help!!
DukeK wrote:
JohnE,
Elements does have layers but I am just confused on the "undo blur" eraser part and I am pretty much a novice using the software. Are you using the "erase to saved" option with the eraser to undo the blur? (That's a feature Elements does not have) Or is there an actual "undo the last action" eraser in CS?
Basically when I follow your instructions I end up with a background layer that shows the entire picture and another layer with the rough hewn subject. I then blur the background layer as you state. From there I'm pretty much still lost
Sorry for all the questions and thanks a lot for the help!!...Show more →
Maybe this will help...
(Sorry if this image is a little risque. I shot this a few weeks ago and it had the mottling and lines clear enough to show a difference. /JE)
Make sure you are on the blur layer!
Now choose "Filter" from the menu, then "Blur" then "Gausian Blur" and set the radius at somewhere between 70 and 90 and hit the OK button. This is what you should see... http://www.eckertphotoimaging.com/WebImages/Desiree_Seq03b_web.jpg
Select the eraser tool and set the Opacity to 100% and the flow to 100% and choose the desired brush size. Make sure that you choose a brush with blurred edges (not a sharp edge!).
Use the eraser to remove (erase) the blur that overlaps the model, like this... http://www.eckertphotoimaging.com/WebImages/Desiree_Seq05_web.jpg
CarlG wrote:
Geez, John! I just LOVE your work!! Do you need an assistant? I can divorce my wife and move to California - just say the word!
Seriously, I inspire to your standards - I am not blowing smoke up your you-know-what, either!
Carl
Now that the smoke has cleared
Thanks for the compliments Carl. Much appreciated!
You have got to be the coolest guy EVER! I, and I am sure a ton of others, really appreciate how much you go out of your way to share your knowledge with the rest of the gang.
It appears you also softened the models skin and hair, am I correct? If so, is this a process you applied to the entire photo in an effort to tie it all together?
Littlebike, It appears you also softened the models skin and hair, am I correct? If so, is this a process you applied to the entire photo in an effort to tie it all together?
Which picture are you looking at? There is no blur on the model in the last picture as far as I can tell.
JohnE,
I tried this on a couple of pictures, way too cool!! I really appreciate your help and only have one other thing to say:
You should seriously consider writing some kind of book on your techniques, there is a lot I have learned already just looking at your comments on this forum.
Littlebike and DukeK,
Yep, there is some skin softening in the final images. Good catch and better catch on noticing the softer shadows (which is another reason I like the technique. Thank you also for the compliment.
dennysb,
Thanks for the feedback Dennys. I'm glad this information is helpful (its takes quite a bit of time to put it together.) I wonder where I would find the time to write a bootk.
I need more inspiration! 
