This is a really good Photoshop tutorial video on advanced dodge and burn techniques for portraiture. These are the types of things that are good to know for that one special image you’re working on. It’s not the quickest or easiest stuff in the world. This stuff takes time, but the time is definitely well spent. Most stock photographers like myself can’t afford to invest this much time into just one image or piece of stock art, for the sake of workflow and return on investment. These dodging and burning methods are definitely something I might do for a client, or for a very special marketing or advertising campaign where one portrait is the main focus or feature image. Editorial or fashion photographers and retouchers might employ this much retouching in their workflow, especially for headshots, magazine covers or article spreads. Here the artist/author, Sean Armenta, also shares how to work with curves, curve adjustment layers, and layer masking.
Models that are new to the business often ask me what TFCD means. TFCD is an acronym for “Time for CD”. Basically it means an even trade. My time, a free photoshoot for you worth $200/hr or more, plus all of the edited images on CD in exchange for your modeling. TFCD sessions are beneficial to myself, the photographer, as well as to the model. I take the photographs, post-process and mail out to you a DVD with your final edited jpegs (high resolution copies that are un-watermarked) so you can make prints or post them in your portfolios online. Often I send the model some of the best shots from the shoot (low res) so they can immediate start posting them on their blog, Facebook, Myspace, or other social networking profiles.
The model signs a model release for me to use the photos for commercial purposes (the release tells the agency that you give us permission to use your photographs). If I’m fortunate I might make a few bucks off the images we produce in the coming months. Sometimes the images sell on the sites I upload them to, other times they don’t. It all depends on the model, the theme, the situation, etc. If in fact I do find any of the images of any of my models in use, I immediately forward the finds along to them. What a great way to get modeling practice, exposure in the industry and to add to your tear sheets! I’m a very busy guy, but I like to do at least few new location shoots per month, if I can. My schedule is pretty flexible. Contact me for rates. I am shooting TFCD selectively at the moment; as long as the majority of the shoot is a stock photo concept or commercial lifestyle theme that I can market as stock imagery.
Portraiture is only about 25% of what I produce, as graphics, vector art and other miscellaneous images make up the rest of my portfolio. I don’t have a need for professionals, although I have worked with many. Stock photography works great with “real life” non-models, as well. I have had great success even using family and friends to model for me, so don’t think you need to be a runway model to qualify. If you live in the New England area of the US (preferably from New York, Connecticut, Massachussets, & Rhode Island) and are just starting out or looking to build your portfolio with some stock themes; by all means, contact me. I will review your current head shots and let you know if I can be of assistance! I also can offer huge discounts to my shooting rates when model releases are signed – this includes engagement sessions, senior portraits, family portraits, and more.
Most importantly, a photoshoot should be fun! I will help you make the most of your time by getting you the most variety of angles, lighting, and themes that we can during the session. For the most recent samples of our work click here.
I was in NYC walking down Canal street (Chinatown) back when I was about 20 years old, with a bunch of my friends one afternoon. My friend Paul is a crazy guy, and I told him, “Quick – Go and chase that pigeon over there!” When he took off running, I snapped the shot with my Vivitar point and shoot, and this was the result
Sometimes you get a conceptual image by accident…this one could portray escape, stress, fear, moving away, luncacy – you be the judge! A little bit of photoshop, a little zoom blur and color isolation, and this was the final result. An abstract motion blur of a guy running away while flailing his arms around. You just have to be ready for unplanned action. Keep that camera around your neck, at your side, or in your hand with a hand strap if you can. Don’t carry it around in your bag all the time. Anticipate capturing the next random thing even before it occurs. It only takes a second or two to move your camera from your side to your face.
Feel free to share your own “accidental conceptual” images here – just post a comment below with a link.
