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In this episode, I’ll teach you the full workflow I used to edit a pretty flat photo of my neighbor into a dramatic final image!
Building drama using these techniques is unique because you have undestructive layers to go back to, and (I think) a better final result than some of the shortcuts out there.
I want you to see how easy it is to take an image and make it really dramatic and exciting.
Enjoy!
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00:01:25 – The Before and After we Are Going For
00:02:50 – Lightroom vs. Adobe Camera RAW
00:03:53 – Portrait Lighting Setup
00:04:10 – Adobe Camera RAW Basics
00:05:34 – Radial Gradients in ACR
00:07:52 – Using the Brush Tool to Improve the Eyes
00:08:20 – Linear Gradient Mask in ACR
00:10:39 – The Color Mixer
00:12:55 – Opening the Image in Photoshop
00:14:40 – Black & White Conversion
00:14:58 – Let’s Start Building Drama
00:16:20 – Using The Black & White Adjustment Layer to Create Drama
00:18:00 – Dodge & Burn Workflow
00:19:42 – Final Contrast Adjustments
00:21:50 – Luminar Editing Tips
00:23:53 – How Did We Do?
00:24:11 – Cropping Your Image
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Lots of you have asked for a look into my camera bag. So here is my gear guide:
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Comments
20 responses to “How to Create a Dramatic Black & White Portrait”
When the masters are using judgement and wisdom to churn, create and craft art, you are talking about something else. You know what I mean … lol 😍
Do you have course particularly on Black and White?
4:18 4:20 4:22 4:23
😮😮😮😮😮
Might be all clear for you, but if a layer is not working or exporting. All this is ………………………………….
This is not photography, it's some kind of hybrid work, more like photoshopo-graphy.
Hello Joel – could you explain how to use the radial gradient on two or more faces?
I can do that. Pay me well though
Gosh!
I would like to know which monitor you use. I calibrate mine, but still find it difficult to match what prints.
I love your videos and workflow. Thanks so much. I have bought your brushes and on the whole find them very useful. Would there be any way you could create a video on how you use your dog brushes as I’m having few challenges making them look authentic. Cheers.
its awesome Joel .. how you did it … really great … thanks
This is without a doubt the most absurdly convoluted workflow imaginable.
I'm glad that you found something that works for you as an artist, but as someone coming at this from an engineering perspective it's really hard for me to wrap my brain around.
Joel , are you actually in Buckeye AZ,, phoenix, , or California ??? where is studio located. is see several addresses ????
Hello, what type of photographic equipment and optics did you use to obtain this portrait?
Joel, would you suggest editing our own photos or hiring a professional retoucher?
I don't like it. The end result does not look natural to me. You have many masks, that at some point you have shades coming from the same side as light and that doesn't look natural.
And I don't understand it, because you clearly have great skills controlling light, your video has excellent lighting, so you could definitely done a better job with the portrait. May be spend a tiny bit more time on set and get the right thing done, instead of relying so heavily on software.
Excessive manipulation makes the photo look fake.
Would prefer to buy the book !!
careers. TNice tutorials was an amazing introduction to tNice tutorials software.