TECHNIQUES 20 PRO SECRETS FOR DYNAMIC LIGHTING
- CREATE
CINEMATIC LIGHTING
Clinton Lofthouse is a pro when it comes to
retouching images with a dramatic, cinematic look
and feel. He explains his Photoshop techniques: “You
need to start off with a good concept; apocalyptic
themes always work well. To me contrast, shadow
and detail define the gritty feel – if your image lacks
this, you can add it yourself by using a Curves
adjustment layer to tone the image and pull down
the darks. You can deepen this added contrast by
dodging and burning the whole image and at the
same time define the details. Create a new layer, fill it
with 50% Gray and switch the blending mode to Soft
Light, then use the Burn tool to darken selected
areas. My final tip would be to add some blues to the
shadows using Selective Color. Change the colour to
Blacks, move the Yellow slider to the left and it will
add blue to the darks, but don’t overdo it.”
10. MATCH LIGHTING ACROSS
MULTIPLE PHOTOS
When creating photo composites from different elements, it is
unlikely that all the images will match in terms of their lighting. “I
always try to have my stock photography match the same
direction of lighting, but if that isn’t possible, I need to go in and
create it myself. I use dodging and burning a lot to get the lighting
correct,” says creative director and owner of 343 Creative Raul
Ferran (www.behance.net/343Creative).
This is why it is important to have a clear idea of where the final
light is coming from in your finished composition; plan your lighting
direction so that you can ensure that all your different photo
elements can be manipulated to match. It can help to have a sketch
on a different layer to your composition to rough out where your
main light source is and mark out where the light would realistically
hit different parts of the picture.
©Clinton Lofthouse Photography© Raul Ferran/343 CreativeBeforeAfter