Now
that the Easter and Passover holidays are behind us, many
photographers are gearing up for the wedding season crunch. In
warmer areas there may already be outdoor events set for the coming
weeks, making the use of white balance and other tools are must. But
this week is not about those shoots - not directly at least - though
some of the tricks used for boudoir and maternity work can also be
put to use on a wedding day.
First
I want to cover color theory. What I mean here is how to work with
props, subjects, and backdrops to create interest through color. For
this to work we will forgo the usual break between written lesson and
a follow-up of visual aids and skip directly to a visual lesson.
Once again we see some Google results to spice things up, complete
with links to even more information on how to use color without
having to rely on retouching to do all the work.
(Wizard of Oz, MGM's 1939 Production)
Dorothy
had
awesome shoes! No, I'm not telling you to run out and buy a pair
of ruby slippers, I just wanted to make a comment on how brilliantly
those red kicks of hers would work for a shoot. Perhaps it is my own
personal bias because I adore shoe-shots... but I think everyone should
have a close-up of some sexy stilettos in their portfolio. This goes
double for some hot color kitten heels and a nice pair of black
stockings.
I
would like to point out how the pose I just mentioned can be used as
a go-to when working with a shy client making their first attempt at
boudoir or modeling. This kind of thing can be done without any
nudity and in a very classy way. As an added bonus, it is a very
easy way to work with the 1950's revival taking hold in popular
culture. Stockings should have a back seam and shoes should be true
“pumps” that cover the toe and use a two-inch minimum heel. Pair
this with some retro coloring in the final retouch and you have a
great salute to classic Americana.
To
really understand the colors of the time you have a few options. But I
suggest doing a search for stock photos to get a feel for how color is
or was used in the style you are looking for. In the case of Americana,
I suggest use RetroStockPix as
they have a great selection. Please note that you must pay to use
those images for any marketing purposes, but that they have a wonderful
range of products and places.
Remember
that these rules do not just apply to shoes. Use a great pair of
gloves, a fantastic fascinator - alright that was worth a groan for the
bad pun - or any other little thing you can think of to get some color.
The only advice I have is to avoid ultra-red lips unless you are
willing to work with some serious color bleeding if your lighting is not
spot-on. Use your imagination and never be afraid to experiment!
Now
that we have covered choice item coloration with and without retouching I want to
discuss the wonders of natural light color photography. Walking
through a Victorian rose garden is a fantastic way to appreciate the
value of natural beauty. Soft pink buds, gossamer ivory blossoms,
and the lush greens of climbing ivy are all a source of inspiration
for painters and clothiers. Let them be an inspiration for your
photography as well.
There
is an inherent beauty in the world, vibrant color can really be seen
in weddings. Let the natural light guide you and remember to set
your white balance for the unique tones that come from unfiltered
sunlight. This is not quite the same as shooting in a studio with
light from bay windows, though the need to understand shadows and
light sources is still a key factor here. The major difference is in
the way that yellows, whites, and pinks will display their strong
influence on everything around them.
(Photography Copyright (c) 2010 - Akelis Studios)
I
envy photographers with more exotic tropical locations because they
can really put natural colors to use with the help of local flora.
If you have a hibiscus blossom in your bride's hair or bouquet you
should put it to use. If you have palm trees to pose a model with,
let the fantastic texture of their bark to make a statement in your
shots. This does not mean your should underestimate the beauty of a
New England autumn either; those fiery oranges and reds are a great
backdrop for pet, kids, and adults to interact with in every session.
Tossing leaves in the air or laying on a pile of them can give a
subject the chance to bring out their genuine smile while they
release tension and play.
In
this situation you will want to keep an eye on your shots, review
them often so you can confirm that the white balance remains accurate
for shifts in light due to clouds or time of day. Sunset is ideal
for outdoor photography because a whole new range of tones will
appear as the sun's rays shift and refract off the atmosphere at a
greater angle. Be sure to use these colors to you advantage too,
perhaps planning a beautiful shot that can capture a bride and groom
silhouetted against a blazing sunset or a family walking down a dirt
path as leaves let the light dapple the ground. This can be tweaked
with retouching, but the truth of the colors will already be there so
long as the time of day and the ideal location are paired with a
great pose.
Finally,
I want to talk about how to play with retouched colors or black and
white in a tasteful way. I say the following in all seriousness...
“Every photo is not meant to be Black & White just because you
can select gray-scale options on your editing panel!” At the risk
of sounding like a rant, I want to make it very clear that not
every image should be colorless.
The over use of sepia and other tone changes has made us less able
as artists to really see why color or the lack of color can enhance
an already wonderful image.
Don't
get me wrong, I love working in black and white when I am just
shooting on my own time. Many of the works I enter in competitions
are a prime example of that fact. But everything has a place and
time when working with retouch options. And thinking that
subtraction of color is the best way to fix lighting flaws will only
cause an area for improvement to grow into a void that eventually
requires massive work to fill.
If
you think an image could benefit from color shifts, ask yourself why
you think so. Are you looking to match a unique pose to a feeling
that cannot be achieved with lighting techniques alone? Perhaps you
have the intention of creating some of those beautifully recolored
works of art that are making their way back into popularity with the
return to 1950's beauty. Consider that toned down shades can look
faded if done incorrectly so this will have to be handled with care.
(Photography Copyright (c) 2010 - Akelis Studios)
I
made the retouches and recolors to this shot after watching some
reruns of The Little Rascals before going into a shoot. Comments
have been made that I should have perhaps added a slingshot to the
back pocket, but over all I feel that the effect was successful. My
model here is very light skinned which made the removal of red
pigments less tricky. In general, this was a success, but he has
deep blue eyes that did not translate quite as well even with some
enhancements. For that reason, I went with complete color removal
from the facial features to avoid the zombie-like appearance that can
occur from over enhancement of the eyes.
This
application
of retouching managed to be tasteful and simple if I am allowed to
complement my own work. In general, tasteful application is
something highly ignored in the age where everyone with a
cellphone can make “great antique photos” through apps the
download for a dollar. And it is exactly because of those widely
available features that we should all be diligent in using our
artistic eye and professional discretion to avoid the temptation to
over use an option that can go from tasteful to tacky in just one
click.
