Introduce simulated exposure effects post-shoot to
achieve techniques that are impossible in the field
employ creative
software solutions
Since shutter speed is so precisely stepped,
often in as little as 1/3-stop increments, it is
possible to unknowingly increase the exposure
time to a setting just below that with which
you are capable of shooting a blur-free image
under current conditions. This is especially
true when shooting handheld, without the
support of a tripod or monopod.
In these cases, the effect of camera shake
may be so subtle that you fail to notice a
lack of fine detail until you open the file on a
computer screen after the shoot. When this
occurs, being proficient in software sharpening
techniques is useful for ‘rescuing’ an image.Beyond these standard processes, however,
it is possible to introduce creative flare by
simulating in-camera techniques. While it is
almost always better to attempt exposure
effects in-camera, for speed and ease if
nothing else, sometimes waiting until the
editing stage can offer more control over
detail in your frame. It is also possible to
create image styles that would be almost
impossible to achieve mechanically, at least
without investing in a potentially expensive
range of filters. With care it is possible to
create subtle and natural faux shutter speed
effects in Photoshop. DPWhen a slow shutter speed is not possible, create a similar effect in Photoshop
Simulate a long exposure
1
Process RAW since we’ll be applying
blur filters to the image later, correct
colour and brightness early to avoid
introducing banding artefacts. Pick an image
with credible lighting for a long exposure –
viewers expect this more in a low-light scene.4
Blur the clouds ctrl/cmd+click on
the new Layer Mask to make it an active
selection, and apply a Motion or Radial Blur
filter, choosing a distance appropriate for the
resolution of your image. Then adjust the
angle to define the direction of the apparent
cloud movement.2
Select the sky click select and
Mask to bring up the refine tools. in the
edge Detection section check smart Radius
and paint over complex edge detail that is
challenging to select. in the Output settings
choose new Layer with Layer Mask to
separate the sky and foreground.3
Refine the selection choose an
f-stop that enables you to increase the
shutter speed above the maximum flash sync- usually around 1/200 sec. Begin with f8 and
adjust this as necessary, stopping down if
your speed becomes too high. increase isO
instead if you require shallow depth of field.
Missing motion
Working without a tripod, it was impossible to
capture a long exposure in-camera, producing a
shot that appears lifeless and unnaturally static.
Software filtration provides a potential solution all images © Peter fenechBefoReafTeRTechniques