Before and After Photos

[pointandshoot]

Recovering from knee surgery, I have been working with previous photos more lately. I though I would share a before and after and what I did.

If you have any to add, please share. From a beauty touch-up to full scale post processing, I always like to see the creative process after image capture.

Chuck

BEFORE

AFTER

HOW TO

I used Nik Silver EFX for the black and white conversion. The technique is matte painting for combining sky and tower and giving the image its look and tonality. Finally, I created my own lightening. Links are below.

Photoshop Matte Painting

http://www.seb4d.com/tutorials/Mattepainting/mattepainting_english.htm

Backgrounds and Textures - This is a great library.

http://www.cgtextures.com/

Making Lightening

http://www.world-of-cha0s.hostrocket.com/lightningtutorial/tutorialmain.html

 

[Gdad]

That's very nice-

How do you like the Nik Silver Efex by the way? I have been tempted to get it a few times but it's kind of pricey at $200.

 

[annnewjerz]

Very cool! ToT is a favorite, I love seeing pictures that add to the creepy feeling the rides give you.

 

[pointandshoot]

That's very nice-

How do you like the Nik Silver Efex by the way? I have been tempted to get it a few times but it's kind of pricey at $200.

I am a novice at post processing. To me, EFX is fine if you get it in a software bundle but I would not recommend buying it. I prefer Photo Wiz BW Styler.

I like Nik tools and I am fond of Viveza. I like the ability to create multiple control points to adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, etc. It can save you some time masking. Viveza works on color and black and white. I think I can get just as good BW conversion with Viveza and another tool or Photoshop than just using EFX.

Chuck

 

[Quicklabs]

You did a terrific job!

 

[ukcatfan]

Very nice! I think I will have to give that a try myself.