Technique in PP

noaslplease · 03-19-2011, 10:09 PM - **2 Likes**

So I've been playing around with Lightroom, and I have no idea how, but I came up with this:

Take a photo, and try increasing blacks and contrast all the way. Then, add in fill light until the photo is properly exposed again. I also sometimes use brightness for a boost.

Usually I decrease the contrast from there, and I have to desaturate it.

Anyone ever done this?

**blackcloudbrew** · 03-20-2011, 05:49 AM

Haven't done this, but generally adding blacks is a thing I do sparingly. Do you have some favorite examples?

irishwhite · 03-21-2011, 08:32 AM

Pretty cool technique overall. I will have to say it took me three different photos before I got this one which i thought turned out well. On one of my photos I tried the ISO was 800 and the noise was very apparent.

Before:

After:

Usuqa · 03-21-2011, 10:50 AM

Its something ive done a few times

D4rknezz · 03-21-2011, 11:21 AM

Thanks for sharing this.

Added rep.

Venturi · 03-21-2011, 10:56 PM

I generally don't boost black level too much, pushing blacks and compensating with fill-light induces a lot of noise. But I do push contrast and clarity on occasion for a similar effect.

The baseline PP on these is punched contrast & clarity, and then a mixture of other adjustments to achieve the end result. All 100% done in LR2.

clmonk · 03-22-2011, 09:37 AM

Hey Venturi...LOVE the shot of the little boy!!! But your first architectural shot has some weird perspectives thing going on.

irishwhite · 03-22-2011, 11:44 PM

Did a couple more using this method that I happen to like a lot. Thanks so much for posting!

Venturi · 03-23-2011, 08:22 PM

Originally posted by clmonk

Hey Venturi...LOVE the shot of the little boy!!! But your first architectural shot has some weird perspectives thing going on.

Thanks, yeah that's my boy. He's rather insanely natural in front of the camera.

I'm really curious what you see odd in that first shot; it's one of my favorites but obviously as the photographer of it I view it with a unique perception.

Irish: it really does work with that 2nd shot in how it amplifies the ground movement.

clmonk · 03-24-2011, 08:02 AM

Personally, I always like my verticals to be parallel to the sides of the photo. In your shot, (particularly the first of the two) both the left and right side seem to tilt inward.

03-19-2011, 10:09 PM - 2 Likes	#1
noaslplease Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: San Jose, California Photos: Albums Posts: 80	Technique in PP So I've been playing around with Lightroom, and I have no idea how, but I came up with this: Take a photo, and try increasing blacks and contrast all the way. Then, add in fill light until the photo is properly exposed again. I also sometimes use brightness for a boost. Usually I decrease the contrast from there, and I have to desaturate it. Anyone ever done this?

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03-20-2011, 05:49 AM	#2
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,461	Haven't done this, but generally adding blacks is a thing I do sparingly. Do you have some favorite examples?

03-21-2011, 08:32 AM	#3
irishwhite Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: philadelphia Photos: Gallery Posts: 349	Pretty cool technique overall. I will have to say it took me three different photos before I got this one which i thought turned out well. On one of my photos I tried the ISO was 800 and the noise was very apparent. Before: After:

03-21-2011, 10:50 AM	#4
Usuqa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scotland Photos: Gallery Posts: 348	Its something ive done a few times

03-21-2011, 11:21 AM	#5
D4rknezz Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,196	Thanks for sharing this. Added rep.

03-21-2011, 10:56 PM	#6
Venturi Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,636	I generally don't boost black level too much, pushing blacks and compensating with fill-light induces a lot of noise. But I do push contrast and clarity on occasion for a similar effect. The baseline PP on these is punched contrast & clarity, and then a mixture of other adjustments to achieve the end result. All 100% done in LR2.

03-22-2011, 09:37 AM	#7
clmonk Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Eastern TN Posts: 269	Hey Venturi...LOVE the shot of the little boy!!! But your first architectural shot has some weird perspectives thing going on.

03-22-2011, 11:44 PM	#8
irishwhite Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: philadelphia Photos: Gallery Posts: 349	Did a couple more using this method that I happen to like a lot. Thanks so much for posting!

03-23-2011, 08:22 PM	#9
Venturi Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,636	Originally posted by clmonk Hey Venturi...LOVE the shot of the little boy!!! But your first architectural shot has some weird perspectives thing going on. Thanks, yeah that's my boy. He's rather insanely natural in front of the camera. I'm really curious what you see odd in that first shot; it's one of my favorites but obviously as the photographer of it I view it with a unique perception. Irish: it really does work with that 2nd shot in how it amplifies the ground movement.

03-24-2011, 08:02 AM	#10
clmonk Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Eastern TN Posts: 269	Personally, I always like my verticals to be parallel to the sides of the photo. In your shot, (particularly the first of the two) both the left and right side seem to tilt inward.