Jay, I know we've discussed this numerous times before, but if you're not even going to try to make it look like the plane belongs to the background, I honestly do not see the point of posting these images. You may say your customers are satisfied with this style, but imagine how much more satisfied they'd be if it looked like you were actually there to take the photo instead of just copying and pasting. Please read up on what a light wrap is and how to match lighting in Photoshop. No, I'm not just ragging on you for the sake of it, this is meant as constructive criticism.
I don't have a Photoshop example handy, but here's a screen capture from my compositing program. On the left is the bare selection. In the middle is the same selection alpha after duplicating the area and multiplying both together with one selection feathered. The last window has the original selection with the middle alpha applied to a red background so it looks like the background is lighting the edges of the original selection. That's the basic idea.
Funny, over the years we have seen so much evolution and innovation in our industry, and it has given us capabilities that film based photographers never could have imagined, muchless implemented. The flip side is, and we see it in every aspect of photography, landscape, portraiture, aviation, etc., the proliferation of Photoshop, blending and plug ins has brought about a use and acceptance of "looks" that are so artificial that one might as well have drawn the subject. From the Thomas Kinkade look to downright cut and paste, having these tools at our fingertips has brought about a plethora of, and an unfortunate acceptance of technology over technique.
I guess we are just getting old Erich, but I still find a tremendous satisfaction in creating something exceptional "in camera". Can't tell you how many times an art director or agency guru will quip, "don't spend any time on that Jim, we'll fix it in post"..............when a few extra minutes and 40 years of experience will allow me to shoot it correctly so no "fix" is necessary. I see a lot of parallels in this to life these days, no need to punctuate or spell correctly in a text or an email, the recipient will get the point, a thank you note is considered a superfluous waste of time, a smile and a friendly greeting becomes too much effort given all of the things one is inwardly focused on.........this list of things we accept now is long and undistinguished. Technology, the two edged sword......................
"don't spend any time on that Jim, we'll fix it in post"
I had to at that considering I'm hip deep in re-teaching myself effects and compositing so that I can "enhance" videos in "post". To me, the best "effect" is the one that looks so natural that you don't even know it's been applied.
Before it's post Thanksgiving and the week has gotten away from me, I wish all of you and yours a Blessed, Happy and Peace filled Thanksgiving week. Amidst it all, there is much we can find to be thankful for, and I am thankful for you.
ELinder wrote:
I had to at that considering I'm hip deep in re-teaching myself effects and compositing so that I can "enhance" videos in "post". To me, the best "effect" is the one that looks so natural that you don't even know it's been applied.
Erich
I understand Erich. That looks like the DaVinci 14 node system. I currently am in a love/hate relationship with DaVinci, only because I am so thick that it's taking a while to become proficient. The results are worth the effort though, incredible tools used correctly.
Your point is a great one, that's the way I light, when I can tell I have "lit" a subject, I know that I have taken it one step too far.
A great example of what we're talking about is "Portrait Pro". That software, used gently, can be a wonderful tool in finishing a portrait, but it's oh so easy to end up with a plastic person that looks like a caricature. Once again, technique, time invested is the key to a quality end product.
Looks like my cinema rig shakedown flight may be with a newly finished Pitt's Model 12, and in pretty short order. May have to hold off getting it coated, which might not be all bad.
You're close to right, it's Blackmagic Design's Fusion Studio. I also have DaVinci Resolve, but haven't gotten too much into it yet. I like what I see so far. I just work better with node based systems than layers. Premier and After Effects just confused me when I tried them years ago.
So now my like button has gone selective - so I'm not using it ...... not a happy bunny.
On a brighter note - I went to the hospital for my 8 week check-up for my Darth Vader outfit. The box of tricks monitors my sleep pattern, breath holding and so on. It then sends that back to HQ via a cell phone link. Long story short - total success! All indicators are apparently textbook, massive improvement. The specialist nurse was ecstatic, and thanked me for making her job so easy. Shish, all I did was follow her directions. Makes you wonder if some folks would prefer to stay sick!
Now here is a thing. For the very first time I got my flash out and did a manually adjusted fill. I tried for the JW it's lit but not obvious look. Well, it's a work in progress shall we say? Still at least I had fun trying!
Something that will make all the difference in what you're after Nick, try with the flash unit off the camera axis. You are very close to getting what you want, but no matter how blended the ambient/flash combo is, your flash is still coming from the camera angle . If you don't have a Wizard or something you can put the camera on a tripod and slow your shutter down to where a second person can pop your flash while the shutter is open, from somewhere around 60 degrees off camera axis. You'll be amazed at the difference. It's like high noon light vs early/late, the shadows make all the difference. Certainly the warmth of early/late contributes, but what is happening with the flash being on the camera is, no matter how you artistically blend it, the flash is filling in shadows and you lose depth and dimension. Really it's no different than in portraiture, a little fill (which is your ambient, then a proportionate amount of off axis and boom!
Actually, take a look at your image. The effect I described is happening naturally in the last third of your composition where the light is striking in from the left. Beautiful forest, great place for family portraits!
Joe McNally represents Lastolite (I think) and they make a line of small soft boxes for shoe mounted flashes that can create a whole new look to portraiture and outdoor images. Truth is, on camera flash, although it's a necessary evil, is an abomination in color and lack of dimension. Once one can soften and direct the light, it becomes a great tool. Funny, I used to buy every darn shoe mount gizmo that came along (accompanied by an image that had none of the harsh characteristics of typical on camera flash use), none of them really worked. Then I analyzed why, you can soften it all day long, but if you only have one light and it's coming from the same axis as your lens, it isn't going to give you what you are looking for.
Hope this helps! As my Hebrew Urologist tells me annually......."Be Well!"
Well Boys and Girls, I just had a conversation with the manufacturers of this little jewel and the first one is on it's way to me. I'm envisioning several of them mounted in and on our favorite Talon, in just the right sky, in just the right light. Anyone else able to picture that? If this camera does what they claim GoPro is hating life. The mind boggles at the possibilities. Their stabilization is supposed to be incredible, which would be one of the keys to a successful product like this.
JWilsonphoto wrote:
That's great news Nick! What a quick reversal, so happy to hear that!!
Thanks Jim, I can scarcely believe the positive and speedy response I've had to the treatment. I now need to undo years of decline in my core strength. Oh, and loosing the accumulated excesses baggage is another work in progress. Meanwhile, my sleeping partner is apparently having some difficulty getting used to the nocturnal silence.
Fantastic! Sounds like my recovery from rotator cuff surgery, six months of PT followed religiously, and the movement is 99.9% back. Just can't lock my hands behind my back like I used to do. Sometimes it can be tough though, to follow directions. Struggling with weight, for instance.... (but I LIKE that food...)
nickjohnson wrote:
So now my like button has gone selective - so I'm not using it ...... not a happy bunny.
On a brighter note - I went to the hospital for my 8 week check-up for my Darth Vader outfit. The box of tricks monitors my sleep pattern, breath holding and so on. It then sends that back to HQ via a cell phone link. Long story short - total success! All indicators are apparently textbook, massive improvement. The specialist nurse was ecstatic, and thanked me for making her job so easy. Shish, all I did was follow her directions. Makes you wonder if some folks would prefer to stay sick! ...Show more →
Jim, many thanks for all the tips and thoughts re my adventures with flash. I truly appreciate the time you put into your post.
At the moment I can’t figure out a way of making my 80D acting as a master trigger without firing the pop up flash. The fact that my main unit was only an arms length away from the camera resulted in the outcome you described. But all is well. You’ve given me a great steer for the way forward – many thanks.
The location is a favourite place of mine – a beach wood known as Upperford Copse. Google Maps 50.9206°N 1.1559°W
JWilsonphoto wrote:
Well Boys and Girls, I just had a conversation with the manufacturers of this little jewel and the first one is on it's way to me. I'm envisioning several of them mounted in and on our favorite Talon, in just the right sky, in just the right light. Anyone else able to picture that? If this camera does what they claim GoPro is hating life. The mind boggles at the possibilities. Their stabilization is supposed to be incredible, which would be one of the keys to a successful product like this.
at that considering I'm hip deep in re-teaching myself effects and compositing so that I can "enhance" videos in "post". 
