"Return to the Dark Forest" Processing Video
Forest photography holds many challenges. Whether you’re shooting against the light or in complete absence of light, there’s always some technical aspect that blocks the creative process. In this video, we’re taking 3 images from the raw stage all the way to a final image that looks like it was shot on the set of The Lord of the Rings.
Forest photography holds many challenges. Whether you’re shooting against the light or in complete absence of light, there’s always some technical aspect that blocks the creative process. In this video, we’re taking 3 images from the raw stage all the way to a final image that looks like it was shot on the set of The Lord of the Rings.
Forest photography holds many challenges. Whether you’re shooting against the light or in complete absence of light, there’s always some technical aspect that blocks the creative process. In this video, we’re taking 3 images from the raw stage all the way to a final image that looks like it was shot on the set of The Lord of the Rings.
What’s Included?
These four videos contain more than 3,5 hours’ worth of processing together.
Three PSD-files (resized) of “Trifecta”, “Feet of Fangorn” and “Communal Hill” with every adjustment still present.
All raw files (resized DNGs) that go into each of the final results, with every adjustment still present.
Bonus: An ever expanding set of utility videos that dive deeper into certain complex subjects (not induced in the aforementioned running time).
Read-me file linking to additional tools such as TK Actions and the last sharpening tool you will ever need.
What Will I Learn?
This is my entire workflow for a Dark Forest shot. In two videos, we will cover:
Getting great results in both overcast conditions and shooting high dynamic range images against the light.
Separating autumn colors.
Blending sunstars.
Handling HDR, direct sunlight and over-exposed skies and blending exposures in the forest (and their necessity).
Focus stacking.
Dodging & burning in many ways (pick an approach that I show you like!).
Warping and cropping to manipulate composition.
Leading the eye by darkening and brightening selectively.
Sharpening (input, mid-stage and output sharpening for the web).
Leveraging moody light effects such as Orton Effect, Light Bleed and Diffuse Light without sacrificing depth or sharpness.
Applying negative Clarity and Dehaze to make a dreamy effect.
Setting a dark mood, reminiscent of movies like the Lord of the Rings.
Also:
Editing the raw file for use in Photoshop
Directing attention to the parts that matter (and redirecting the eye away from the edges)
Range Masking: Controlling light in Camera Raw and Lightroom
Creative Controlled Warping & The Transform Tool
Luminosity Selections (RGB Channels and Tony Kuyper’s luminosity masks)
Highlight Color Dodging
Specular Highlighting – a trick that I invented.
Burning Shadows
Changing the Hue without Artifacts
Cloning
Sharpening for the Web
Export for the Web
How do I Watch the Video?
After you pay, you will download a document containing links to download the actual videos and files needed to follow along.
Note that this is a Digital Download product. No physical DVD or USB thumb drive is included. I do not offer refunds on digital products.
Enjoy!
Specs of this Video:
Video: H264 MP4, 3840x2160p (4K Ultra HD). 25fps, variable bitrate
Audio: AAC 48 kHz, 320 kbps stereo
Fully subtitled and narrated by Michael, a professional voice actor
Total running time: 3 hours 37 minutes PLUS 40+ minutes of additional videos as a free bonus.
Total size of the download: about 6 GB.
Download separate files, so you don’t have to download one huge file all at once.
