Im looking to create these professional effects. . .

[skimitchell]

Im looking to create some of these professional effect.

Looking for the dark silver skin effect and the real shiny skin effect.

Just wondering if they use PS actions or if you think a lot of this is done from scratch for each image?

I know a lot of it has to do with getting it right through the lens but also know a lot of work is put into getting them right and now days people are doing a lot of post processing.

Anyone got any good tips or actions to help me out?

picdesk+ image detail (RV0807E2-002)*
picdesk+ image detail (RV0706F0-01*
picdesk+ image detail (RV070619-011)*

Many thanks in advance.

[Jacco]

Of course copying is the sincerest form of flattery. But I doubt it is helpful in creating your own images. If I had photos like that needing processing, I wouldn't want to know what others did. I'd want to be totally original. With my very own style. Not even remotely reminiscent of any other's style. Only one way to get there: sit down at your PC and try endless variations and combinations of techniques until you've got what pleases your eye. And not public opinion. (Unless of course you're doing a commercial shoot!).

I also admit of course that I simply don't know the answer to your question.
But like I said, that wouldn't bother me (although it's of course very interesting and educational).
It's the way you look at it, I guess.

[brian.austin]

Those aren't "effects" centered around post processing so much as lighting, good skin, and a light layer of lotion. Bump the exposure up a notch when taking the shot then bring up the contrast slightly with levels or curves afterward, right after a B&W conversion.

[PetersenPhotography]

There's also a fair amount (and by that I mean layers and layers) of make-up on their faces (foundation, powder, blush, eyeliner, eye shadow, lip gloss, lipstick, the list keeps on going) that makes PP those images a WHOLE lot easier. If you want that effect, hire a model, hair stylist and make-up artist and have at it.

[skimitchell]

Tks for the replies guys.

You guys are right about the lighting, model and stylists but i was just wondering if any of you were willing to share some of your tricks to achieving some amazing results?

Im pretty new to photography and don’t have all the gear (i.e. lights) but have a 580ii flash with pocket wizards and a reflector so got to put in the time to find what works well and what don’t work so well.

I actually have a outdoor beach shoot this Sunday with an ex swimsuit model, so im sure she will be awesome. Just wanna make sure i get the most out of the experience and go into it well prepared and extra skills to process the final results well.

It may land me a job. . . :->

Any tips would be very much appreciated. .

Bye for now.

[RexChun]

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[skimitchell]

Tks RexChun for that.

Not quite the effect im looking for but sure looks interesting.

Im sure there is an easier way. I will have to sit down and have a play with it and if i find an easier way ill be sure to post it here.

Im guessing some actions would sure help speed the process up.

Look forward to some more brain rattling tips.. .

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by RexChun

I was not convinced and not satisfied with the result. However, my friend insist this is how it is done.

There are a variety of ways to do it. You need to start with a decent image, though, and that's not a decent image.

Jump in Fashion/Models and look at J.A.F. Doorhof's posts. Something like this: Hair

Then jump on his website and order his DVD. There is no Easy Button for this one.

[RexChun]

Now I am embarrassed. My pictures look so bad and J.A.F. Doorhof's pictures look amazing.
How do I take down my pictures??

[Jacco]

Originally Posted by RexChun

Now I am embarrassed. My pictures look so bad and J.A.F. Doorhof's pictures look amazing.

He does it for a living, Rex, and has decades of experience. So comparing your photos to his is apples & pears.
And masochism...

[Mr. Pickles]

Originally Posted by RexChun

Now I am embarrassed. My pictures look so bad and J.A.F. Doorhof's pictures look amazing.
How do I take down my pictures??

Your pictures do not look bad compared to his, and you can't take them down because his are better. If everybody did that, there would be NO pictures to look at. JAF Doorhof is good, really good, but he has been doing it for a long time, and uses gear the rest of us may only dream of. But, he probably isn't the best in the world. If he felt like his stuff wasn't as good as Mister XYZ's, then should he remove his too?

You learn by looking at great images. You can also learn by looking at good images. Couple that with reading comments on great images, and really on the good image comments. If all we say was the best in the world, we'd never get that much better. Most would quit because there is no hope.

So we look at examples like images you like, ask about how they did, there is RARELY an easy one click button solution to being as good, so we take the info provided and learn it. That is what needs to happen here.

[RexChun]

Originally Posted by Jacco

He does it for a living, Rex, and has decades of experience. So comparing your photos to his is apples & pears.
And masochism...

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

Your pictures do not look bad compared to his, and you can't take them down because his are better. If everybody did that, there would be NO pictures to look at. JAF Doorhof is good, really good, but he has been doing it for a long time, and uses gear the rest of us may only dream of. But, he probably isn't the best in the world. If he felt like his stuff wasn't as good as Mister XYZ's, then should he remove his too?

You learn by looking at great images. You can also learn by looking at good images. Couple that with reading comments on great images, and really on the good image comments. If all we say was the best in the world, we'd never get that much better. Most would quit because there is no hope.

So we look at examples like images you like, ask about how they did, there is RARELY an easy one click button solution to being as good, so we take the info provided and learn it. That is what needs to happen here.

Yeah, totally understand. However, let me explain a little bit better. I read the original post and I am curious how to create the effect myself. I remembered one of my friend said he know how to create the effect. I take a snap shot. I then try to create the effect by doing what he had told me. The snap shot is not professional and the method did not create the effect. I don't think they serve any purpose here. Next time I will take a better picture with good lighting and try again.

[Mr. Pickles]

Professional results via post processing are better completed with some professional results going in. Hard to make a "snapshot" into glamor magazine quality. Can be done, but if you start with a great image, it is a lot easier.

It is easy to make a Playboy like image by doing some touch-ups and skin smoothing. Much harder to do dodge and burn on 75% of the image, lighten and darken selectively, correct WB issues, change color and saturation issues, change the background, clone here and there, AND do some skin smoothing and make-up fixings.