1. PROJECT CREATIVE PORTRAITS
YOUR GUIDE MICHAEL CAMPBELL
Ex-Brit Michael is one of America’s top photographers and photo compositors. His
commissions include work for Dr Jonas Salk, Princess Anne and Sir Anthony Eden.
He now lives in San Diego, California
Michael@MichaelCampbell.com PORTFOLIO MICHAEL CAMPBELL WEBSITE WWW.MICHAELCAMPBELL.COM
Combining elements
for creative portraits
The great benefit of digital photography is that it enables you to easily composite different images for creative portraits.
Award-winning photographer, Michael Campbell, shows how to add a touch of the fantastic to a photo of a child
S 7TOOL SCHOOL
ince photography was first invented, there but I eventually tracked some down in the gardens of
PROJECT
has been the argument that it is not an the old Spanish Mission at San Juan Capistrano. I took
KEY DETAILS artistic medium because it ‘simply’ records photographs of the flowers from several different
2
REFLECTION IN WATER
ON THE DISC the reality of the scene in front of the camera. This camera angles, using a Fuji S1 digital camera and Tamron
Learn how to make it appear that the
■ You’ll find images of all the argument has been refuted for many years by such zoom lens. model is sitting by a pool of rippling
elements you need for this proponents of the medium as Alfred Stieglitz, Ansel water using the Zigzag filter.
tutorial on CD 1, in the
Adams and many others whose works have sold in art Back in the studio FIND IT HERE Filter/Distort/Zig-Zag
tutorials/project/images folder.
■ Plus find a trial of Elements 2. galleries around the world. The next step was to photograph the girl in the studio,
using a three-light system with umbrellas and White
2 SKILL LEVEL Photographer as artist Lightning strobes. The background was a roll of grey butterfly, a shadow for the wings and the girl’s body and
8 1 But digital photography makes this criticism redundant – paper – the colour didn’t matter because we erased it a reflection of her in the water. Finally, we used a
the artist can now use digital techniques to create anyway. Several exposures were made with slight lighting adjustment technique to add a bit of drama to
2 TIME TO COMPLETE images of scenes that only exist in the imagination. variations of the camera angle and perspective. the image.
3 HOURS In this tutorial I’ll show you how I turned a little
girl into a fairy sitting on a waterlily. Finding waterlilies
in Southern California is not as easy as you might think,
Once the studio images were captured, it was time to
fire up Adobe Photoshop. We had to extract the girl from
the studio background and create fairy wings from a
On the following pages, I’ll go through the whole
process, step-by-step, so you can create your own fairy
on a lilypad…
HOW WE
PREPARED
EACH ELEMENT
MICHAEL CAMPBELL
8 8
PHOTOGRAPHER
CREATE A BACKGROUND PHOTOGRAPH THE GIRL CORRECT THE COLOUR BALANCE
A I photographed several water lilies in bloom B I used a studio grey paper background. The C Because of the preponderance of grey in the
IT TOOK A THREE-STAGE from different angles and perspectives at the lighting was a simple, three-light setup with photograph, the resulting grey colour cast
PROCESS TO GET THE FINAL Spanish Mission (above), so that I had some options white umbrellas in White Lightning strobes. I needs to be .removed. Do this via Curves under the
IMAGE OF OUR LITTLE FAIRY
when it came to compositing the final image. I used a Fuji photographed the girl from the same angle as I had used Image, Adjust menu option, by clicking the middle
S1 digital camera and Tamron zoom lens. for the lily pad so that the perspective was consistent. eyedropper on the grey background paper.
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2. Everything you need to
create this image is on your CD
We’ve put all the images, filters and
plug-ins you need to create this image
LILIES MODEL WINGS
2
on your cover CD
filename/lily.tif filename/model.tif filename/wings.tif
CDA/tutorials/lilypond/images

3. PROJECT CREATIVE PORTRAITS
TOP TIP Rather than use the Extract tools in Photoshop, you can simply cut out the girl and save the image with the path as an EPS
STAGE 1 2 IN FOCUS Extracting the girl’s body
MAKING MASKS
ISOLATE THE HEAD EDGE HIGHLIGHTER TOOL ERASE TOOL
Just as per last month’s tutorial, 01 In order to extract the girl’s head from the This enables you to Use this to fine-tune parts
the first thing we need to
background, first paint around the head to choose bits of the image of the Edge Highlight that
do is isolate the elements we
isolate it from the background. This then enables you want to keep. aren’t quite right.
want, from the elements we
us to fill the region we want to keep with a Mask, then Adjust the brush size via
don’t want.
extract it. the menus on the right.
0 EXPERT TIP
MICHAEL CAMPBELL
PAINT AROUND THE GIRL’S HEAD
PHOTOGRAPHER
02 Select the girl’s head with the rectangular
USE THE MAGIC
WAND TOOL selection tool, then use the Extract command
To select part of a photo for later (Image menu8Extract). In Photoshop 7, you’ll find it under
use, use the technique in last the Filters menu item. Use the Edge Highlighter tool to
month’s project: because the paint around the head, including all the loose hair.
background is mainly neutral
grey, select the Magic Wand
tool, shift-click in the grey part
and fine-tune by selecting
the Quick Mask tool at the
bottom of the Tool Palette. Paint
in any missed bits using the
Brush tool and then delete the
unmasked background.
MASK THE FOREGROUND
03 In the Extract menu, use the Fill tool to mask
the areas you want to keep. If the mask colour
covers the entire image then you’ve left a gap
somewhere. Go back to the Brush tool and fix it. Notice
the gaps in the hair have been painted over.
PARTIAL EXTRACTION RESULTS FINISH THE EXTRACTION ADD SOME WINGS
04 Further work with the Masking brushes and
05 Save the Transparency mask by clicking on the
06 The next step is to add wings to our little
History tools may be required. Select another Layer and holding down the Command key girl. Mask out the butterfly wings as per
area of the subject using the Rectangular Selection tool. (Mac). On the PC, click on the Add a Mask icon at the above and save the image for later (we used an old
Return to the Extraction window and continue to paint the bottom of the Layers box, then make a selection using photograph of a Monarch Butterfly). Later we can adjust
green border around the bits you want to keep. the Magic Wand. Save the selection as an Alpha Channel. the colour and transparency.
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4. PAINT SHOP PRO PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS PHOTOSHOP 7
4
EXTRACTING There’s no Extract tool as in Photoshop but it’s otherwise easy There’s no Extract filter in Photoshop Elements 2 but you can use The Extract tool has been moved from the Images menu
FOREGROUNDS to cut objects out and mask areas you want the Selection Brush instead of fiddling with the Magic Wand option and can now be found under the Filters menu item
WWW.MCCANNAS.COM/PSHOP/PHOTOSH0.HTM T ADD TO FAVOURITES
STAGE 2 2
BLEND THE IMAGES
We’ll tweak the images for
best results then composite
them together.
FACIAL RETOUCHING ADD THE BACKGROUND AND SIZE UP TO THE FINAL IMAGE
07 You might want to do some minor facial 08 SUBJECT LAYER 09 Decide the shape and size of the finished
retouching, like remove the extra catch of light Paste in the girl from stage 1, and the lilies canvas and make the image size have
in the eye. It is easy to sample the black from within the into separate layers. Ideally you want to resize and those dimensions. It may be larger or smaller than the
pupil using the Eyedropper tool, then paint in that colour resample images as little as possible as each time you do layers you have. Do this via the Canvas Size option from
again to remove it from the pupil of the eye. so degrades the quality. the Image menu.
* WEB LINKS
PHOTOSHOP PLUG-INS
www.boxtopsoft.com/plugpage/
Claims to serve over half a million
plug-ins for Mac and Windows –
worth a look for its mix of practical
and creative tools.
SIZING THINGS ADJUST THE WINGS SHAPING THE WINGS
10 Resize both background and foreground to fit 11 Use the Hue8Saturation control (under 12 You will have to resize the wings and rotate
using the Free Transform tool under the Edit Image8Adjust) to make the wings them into position. Use the Transform tool
menu. It’s better to reduce rather than enlarge. When you approximately the same colour as the dress (ensure the under the Edit menu to rotate them, then Free Transform
have got it the way you want it, crop the parts outside the Preview box is ticked so you can see what’s going on). to adjust the size.
frame to save memory space. Now add the wings. Just move the sliders until you’re happy, then click OK.
DISTORT THE WINGS ADD THE SECOND WING MAKE THE WINGS TRANSPARENT
13 If you don’t hold down Shift when you Free
14 Simply duplicate the layer (Duplicate Layer
15 Ideally we want to be able to see through the
Transform, you can distort the wings into a under the Layer menu option) with the first wings, so adjust the opacity slider in the Layers
more fairy-like shape. Fairy wings look better if they are wing and chose the one on the lower layer. The wing on palette to give a degree of translucency, until you are
elongated slightly. the right side has to be distorted more to make it appear happy with the results.
to be lined up at an angle to the first wing.
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5. PROJECT CREATIVE PORTRAITS
ONE-CLICK FIX Distort images using the Liquify option under the Image menu
STAGE 3 2
ADD SOME EFFECTS
Now the basic elements are
composited together, we need
to add some extra effects like
shadows and ripples to give it a
polished, artistic feel.
DROP SHADOW LAYER CREATE A REFLECTION BLUR THE BACKGROUND
16 Create a shadow under the girl and above the 17 Make a duplicate layer of the girl and flip it 18 To add the effect of a shallow depth of field,
background. This layer is set to multiply (via vertically using the Transform tool. You can select the Background layer (the one with the
the drop-down menu in the Layers Palette). Use a soft then position and reduce the opacity as before. Add a lilies) and apply a Gaussian Blur – Filter8blur. (See last
airbrush with a shadow colour sampled from the image zigzag filter effect (Filter menu then Distort). month’s project for more details on this).
using the Eyedropper. Paint below the girl’s legs and dress.
IN FOCUS Creating a glass effect
THE GLASS DISTORTION FILTER DISTORTION SMOOTHNESS
19 Add a glass distortion to the wings to This slider adds a certain This defines how large
make them more fairy-like. Find this amount of grain to the the grain is, enabling you
under the Filter menu option8 Distort8 Glass. You can image – how the glass to choose wavy thick glass,
either first merge the layers with the two wings or distorts the light. or thin, relatively
treat them separately. undistorted glass.
ADD A SHADOW TO THE WINGS
20 To add a shadow, create a new layer. Again set
to multiply mode, and then use the airbrush to
add a faint shadow to the wings. You can reduce the
opacity of the shadow and apply a gaussian blur to soften
it, if you like.
3 IN DETAIL
WATERCOLOUR
Give your final image a
watercolour painting effect by
choosing Filters8Artistic
8Watercolour. Set your options to
Brush detail: 14; Shadow intensity:
0; texture: 1. Experiment with
these settings for different effects.
TEXTURE
Enables you to choose
the type of glass effect
you want. PULL IT ALL TOGETHER
21 You can adjust each layer with Level or Curve
SCALING adjustments. Find these under the Image8
Affects the density of the Adjust menu option. Both Levels and Curves enable you to
texture – how blocky or alter brightness and contrasts within different colour
grainy it is. ranges, but Curves gives you a lot more fine control.
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6. CUSTOMISE YOUR TOOL LAYOUTS
4
USING There’s a new option in the Preferences menu option that
PHOTOSHOP 7 enables Photoshop to remember where you keep your tools
WWW.ADOBE.CO.UK/PRODUCTS/PHOTOSHOP T ADD TO FAVOURITES
STAGE 4 2
GET THE
LIGHTING RIGHT
Once the image has been
constructed and tweaked,
we need to ensure all
the highlights and shadows
match so it looks like a
consistently-lit scene.
LIGHT FOR IMPACT MORE ON LIGHTING EFFECTS FADE LIGHT EFFECT
22 Add a lighting effect to make the subject stand 23 Lighting Effects is an excellent tool. You can 24 Often after getting back to the full-size image
out. Go to Filter8Render and choose Lighting use the values shown here as a basis for one finds the lighting effect was too coarse.
Effects, and choose a soft Omni light from the Light Type experiments, but feel free to experiment. You can also You can soften it by using the Fade Lighting Effect option
pull-down menu. Lower the Intensity and increase the change the colour of individual lights or even make the from the Edit menu, to reduce the effect.
Ambience levels until you get a spot effect on the face. light negative.
IN FOCUS Finished result!
A QUICK RECAP REFLECTIONS SHADOWS
27 Here is our fairy on the lilypad, ready for The zigzag filter helps You can pull out the subject
printing and framing. To recap: we’ve create a nice watery from the background with
composited three images together, adjusted each reflection in a scene. shadows underneath, and
element for the best overall result, then tweaked the lighting effects on top.
lights, contrast and colours to get the final effect.
ADJUST THE SHADOWS ON THE FACE
25 You’ll notice other details that need tweaking.
For instance, the shadows under the girl’s eyes
seem too pronounced now so lighten them with the
clone tool set on 20% and on Lighten mode (select Clone
Stamp tool and right-click to find this option).
@ WIN!
We want your creative efforts!
Send them in and the best image
wins a great 128Mb CompactFlash FINAL ADJUSTMENT
card, courtesy of Crucial 26 You often need to do a final adjustment with
Technologies. (Find out more about
the levels and curves adjustments. Using the
Crucial at www.crucial.com/uk
Adjustment layer you can try out an alteration without
gallery.dcm@futurenet.co.uk having to keep it if it doesn’t work. Find it under New
Adjustment Layer under the Layer menu option.
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