Nov 20 2012

Cabaret Retouch: Photoshop User Magazine

Posted in Photoshop, Technique, Walk Through

Hey Folks,

How’s it going?

Today I want to let you know about a full retouching tutorial I’ve put together.

The tutorial appears in the latest issue of Photoshop User Magazine; produced by the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (N.A.P.P.) and in it I go through each and every retouching step that went into my Cabaret picture of model Jessica Gutzeit from when I was in Germany with my buddy Calvin Hollywood earlier this year.

Now, normally when I go into a photo I have a good idea as to what I want the final picture to look like way before I’ve even started.

However it was different with this shot because it was taken at the very end of a photo shoot and once I’d shot what I’d set out to and was taken just before packing up so it was more of a ‘lets just try this‘ … do you know what I mean?

As it turns out though it ended up being one of my favourite images from the photo shoot and was the only image I ended up using from this particular set:

Here’s how the Before image and After images compare…

You can seen from the the Before shot how it was taken as a bit of a rush as the lighting is under exposed; however it goes to show the power of shooting in RAW and how you can bring out detail later during post production:

I’m a big believer that the real skill in Photoshop is not in learning lots and lots of cool techniques, but is  knowing when to use them.

You see there’s so much that could have been done to this image…adding in new backgrounds and all kinds of special effects, but just bringing out detail, dodging and burning, a lighting effect and minor colour change taking around 20 minutes was all that I ended up doing.

Incidentally Jessie will be one of our models at the High5 Workshops in Germany during January 2013; you can check our more details here [Link]

Right that’s all from me for today so have a good one and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow,
Enjoy,
Glyn

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November 20, 2012 - 8:00 pm

Dan H - Glyn, I’m your greatest fan. Love the webcast, not sure about the glasses though.

November 20, 2012 - 2:54 pm

jack - Hi^^
Could you write down the info of the shot please (iso, focal lenght, time etc.)?

November 20, 2012 - 9:59 am

Glyn - The underexposing here was purely a mistake Lee as I was kind of in the ‘finished’ mindset. Didn’t think the shot would be used but goes to show it’s amazing how much detail you can recover huh :)

November 20, 2012 - 9:45 am

lee archer - Ive noticed a few times you underexpose alot, but it helps with the effects and the dodge and burn too. great tips.

Nov 19 2012

Is there money in Photography?

Posted in Misc. Articles, Videos

Hey Folks,

Well I’m back from Tampa, Florida and ready to hit the road running…but not just yet as today is a ‘No work, quality time with my wife day’.

So seeing as the re-run of last week’s episode of The Grid, hosted by Matt Kloskowski and where I was a guest along with French landscape photographer Serge Ramelli, is now available to view I thought I’d share it here for you.

The topic of the discussion was “Is there money in Photography?” and as is always the case with the show it generated quite a discussion, plus we talked about business, SEO and Passion.

I’d be really interested to hear your thoughts on what we talked about so feel free to make use of the comments section below, oh and yes…I’ve taken a look and the ‘dancing chest’ thing wasn’t a dream:)

In the mean time though have a great Monday,
Catch you tomorrow,
Glyn

ps> Did you know that today is officially ‘Give a hug day’? Well ok I made it up but what the heck…go give your nearest and dearest a hug anyway:)

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November 29, 2012 - 4:56 am

Alex Dee - I liked your point about not making it a job. There’s something to be said about keeping it pure. As a hobbyist, you can really pursue a singular vision and not worry about anyone’s opinion but your own. Some people think you’re good only if people are ready to pay for your work, but to me money is not the measure of all things.

I thought you and Serge were awesome guests. Sometime they tend to fill the show with platitudes, but you guys had really useful stuff to say and it was of the better episodes.

Love your pictures too.

November 22, 2012 - 12:06 am

Jock Goodman - Enjoyed your insight and comments on the Grid. I eke out a small earnings from my photographpy, but still run a small fine jewelry gallery (which isn’t exactly doing that well in this economy. Most of us work 2 jobs anyway to live here in Hawaii.
Cherrio lad, Jock

November 19, 2012 - 6:20 pm

Pete Halewood - I haven’t had time to watch the whole video yet, but I have read a lot of the discussion it threw up on Google+ afterwards.

My thoughts are that there is money in it, if you are prepared to do the hard work, diversify your main photography interests, and of course never give up. I’ve had a passion for photography for nearly 3 years and am now starting to get paid for my work. It’s only the beginning but it is inevitable this is what I will be doing for a living soon, because I’m not going to stop.

Like any other field, if you make it into the top 5%, you will be earning good money, but that isn’t the reason to do photography of course. It is to live everyday doing something you love and want to do. The money comes afterwards, but naturally pays out to the best.

I don’t even know where my whole business is going to come from yet, I just know it is going to come and will fall into place. I’m saying this because I noticed from the google+ discussions that there is quite a lot of negative reaction regarding making a living from photography. Anyone who wants to make a living from photography has to stop worrying about if there is any money in it, it will come if it’s what you want to do and you are prepared to work harder than the rest for it.

“We will find a way or we will make one” – Hannibal.

That’s my probably my favourite quote and entirely applicable to this situation.

All the best, Pete Halewood

Nov 17 2012

It’s all about the people…

Posted in Misc. Articles

WOW! It’s been an incredible week on so many levels…

Filming classes, recording tutorials, interviews with the folks who have been so instrumental in my Photography/Photoshop life from the very first day I started has been an amazing experience and a privilege.

However it’s been the opportunity to spend quality time with and really get to know good, honest, incredibly talented, real, genuine people with BIG hearts that I’m so thankful for.

Hand on heart, the BIGGEST thing I’m thankful to this whole industry for is the people I’m meeting and the friends I’m making along the way. It might not seem like it at times when you get some negative feedback, a negative comment or things just don’t seem to go your way but one thing’s for sure…those ‘nay sayers‘ are in the minority!

Remember why you picked up a camera, remember why you first started using Photoshop, keep in the learning zone, don’t hear the negatives, enjoy doing what you do, have fun, be yourself, don’t give and expect to receive, take what you do seriously but don’t take yourself seriously and above all…surround yourself with good people…of which there are plenty!

See you next week,
Glyn

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November 20, 2012 - 12:42 pm

Russ Robinson - So glad your trip was awesome, as I knew it would be. I’m blessed to have the Kelby guys in my back yard, and to be able to call several of them my friends. They are some of the nicest, humblest, most down-to-earth people in the industry.

Looking forward to seeing your new videos! :D

November 17, 2012 - 7:46 pm

Clive Litchfield - Posting on a Saturday! Good for you.

November 17, 2012 - 5:49 pm

DaveT - Wow, it sounds like a really great environment to be in Glyn, all those positive vibes must be wonderful. Iv’e been in situations like that when your working alongside other like minded people and the creativity just flows. It’s an electric environment!

It would of course be foolhardy to totally ignore negative feedback, particularly if it is warranted. How else would we know where to make the improvements. But I hear you Glyn; as the song says ’You gotta A-ccentuate the positive and E-liminate the negative”

DT

November 17, 2012 - 5:35 pm

Will (@wilgenix) - Some think it’s their duty as a human being to be pissed off or piss others off and miss out on so much.

By far the most important thing…”surround yourself with good people…” bravo matey ;-)

Nov 16 2012

Day 4: Quick Post

Posted in Misc. Articles

Hey Everyone,

Friday already?

Where the heck did the days go?

Today I’m gonna have to make this a quick post due to a late finish yesterday, early start today and trying to fit in some beauty sleep along the way:)

Ok so yesterday we were filming the second of my Kelby Training classes…a completely new concept which I’m really excited about and something I’ve never done before.

Seriously can’t wait to see this one online!

We’ve a full on day ahead of us now as it’s the final day of filming so as it’s 6.30am here in Florida I’d better get out my pit and get ready…hair takes an age as I’m sure you can imagine.:)

Have a great Friday everyone and if we don’t catch up on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Google+) have a great weekend too!
Enjoy,
Glyn

ps> I’ve seen the re run of The Grid from Wednesday and now realise I wasn’t dreaming about the ‘dancing chest’ thing…yikes!The Grid

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Nov 15 2012

Day 3: Kelby Training & The Grid LIVE

Posted in Misc. Articles

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for dropping by.

This morning I’m filming the second of my Kelby Training classes…and this one is all about Business.

Before I do though here’s a quick run through of what was going on yesterday:

Now that the majority of the hands on (intro & shooting) side of my first class had been completed, it was a day in the Kelby Training studios to film the retouching

Filming in the Kelby Training Studios

The Grid
It was great later in the day to be a Guest on The Grid, hosted by Matt Kloskowski and joined also by French Landscape Photographer Serge Ramelli who was in town whilst heading through to L.A.

The topic of the discussion was ‘Is there money to be made in Photography‘ which we came up with whilst out for lunch at Burger 21 and as is always the case, it sure generated conversation.

The hour literally flew by so I’ll be watching the re-run which will be available later this week if only to check that I really did do the ‘dancing chest‘ thing…or maybe that was just a dream:)

Oh incidentally, during the show I mentioned a great book that I read a while back on Marketing.

Now I get zilch, nothing, nichts, rien, nowt for promoting it but it’s called Inbound Marketing and it’s definitely high on my recommended reads.

You can check it out here [Link]

National Cheesy Thumbs Day
Now to go off on a tangent for a moment, yesterday was renamed International Cheesy Thumnbs Day and across social media my Buddy Dave Clayton and I said for folks to email, tweet or post pictures of themselves doing The Thumbs.

Well loads of you sent them in so I’ll be posting them real soon and some lucky chap or chape-ess will get the Official Cheesy Thumbs T Shirt seen modelled here by Photoshop Guy Pete Collins

Hey talking of International Cheesy Thumbs day, no joke it’s now officially recognised on Wikipedia (awaiting content)…seriously:)

Oh and just to clarify it won’t be the T Shirt Pete’s wearing because well, that would be wrong on sooooo many levels:)

Right, we’re just about to kick off filming so I’ll make a move…

Have a great day whatever you’re up to and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow,
Enjoy,
Glyn

ps> On a side note…having now been to Burger 21 I feel I have a confession to make…My name is Glyn and I’m addicted to Sliders:)

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November 21, 2012 - 9:25 am

Lee Gorecki - I guess they are not but that really looks like Green cable ties poked in that burger bun

November 21, 2012 - 9:23 am

Lee Gorecki - I guess they are not but that really looks like Green cable ties poked in that burger bun

November 16, 2012 - 12:25 pm

Glyn - Hey Mark,
Thanks for stopping by mate :) Yeah I know what you mean re the accents…I thought I sounded posh…NOT! :) lol

November 16, 2012 - 12:24 pm

Glyn - Nancy…It was just BRILLIANT getting the chance to hang out and yeah best Cheesy Thumbs Day ever. There’s a T Shirt on it’s way for sure :)

November 15, 2012 - 5:14 pm

Nancy - Hmmmm… Methinks you left out a whole bunch of shenanigans. Best. #CheesyThumbs day. Ever! Hahaha! ;D

November 15, 2012 - 3:18 pm

Mark Imhof - Hey Glyn,
The Grid was lots of fun yesterday. But it was realy hard understanding what was going on with all those accents, I mean what’s up with that Matt and Serge Guy????? :o )
The Inbound Marketing Book is good, I got it as a audio Book, thanks for the tip.
Ohhhhh and is that Burger realy as big as it looks?!?!?
Have a great Day
Mark