Amazing Dave Hill photo PP technique

song_hm · 06-30-2009, 06:40 PM

Originally posted by ivoire

Appreciate the question, examples and solution. Always open to new ideas/techniques

Unfortunately, no one has offered a solution how it is done. Still waiting ...

Yes, keep on learning, and growing.

Originally posted by schmik

Why be so negative... I like it and if don't then you don't have to say "it's not photography"

Agree. I don't hear people who subscribe to Leonardo Davinci's style says a Van Gogh is not a painting.

From other forums, the technique seems a love it or hate it variety, inciting strong reaction from the it-is-not-photography camp.

song_hm · 06-30-2009, 06:53 PM

Originally posted by krypticide

I really like the style. It comes across more on the "art" side than the "photograph" side (not that the two are mutually exclusive).

What is amazing is how he is able to make the image looks like a mechanically captured photograph, a hand crafted painting, and a computer generated image all at the same time.

Originally posted by Arpe

They're pretty cool, but I don't like them. They look like drawings.

I think that is the whole point - beyond click and capture.

brecklundin · 06-30-2009, 07:37 PM

Originally posted by song_hm

What is amazing is how he is able to make the image looks like a mechanically captured photograph, a hand crafted painting, and a computer generated image all at the same time.

I think that is the whole point - beyond click and capture.

Exactly...it's why I find them interesting. Is art not taking something raw and creating something interesting and maybe even new from the raw materials? Often combining materials and media of differing types, some never even used in combination before, but taking those tools and materials to create new, interesting pieces is what it is all about.

Every form has it's place...funny how closed some minds are for the unconventional non-mainstream, then again that is why we have network TV, right? Were the inability to imagine, accept and create the norm we would not have ever gone to the Moon, have autos, have computers or even the internet. Then again, who even knows if we have been to the moon or that the Earth is not flat?

Nice find and thanks for the links...something to research and see how it's done!

GoldenWreckedAngle · 06-30-2009, 08:00 PM

He starts with a lot of light. See how his subjects are just totally wrapped in the stuff with an emphasis on the rim and hair lights. I read in an interview once that he routinely uses 8 or more lights on each subject. Once you've got that part down bring up the fill, contrast, clarity and brightness sliders in Adobe Camera Raw then back off the brightness and saturation sliders to taste. The reason the Dave Hill look is so hard to re-create is that he does most of it with his camera and strobes, not his software.

Edit: Oh yea, the other thing I see most Dave Hill emulators missing is the story. Check out the storytelling! That is what really makes Dave Hill so popular (and wealthy). The guy can tell a story and he knows how to get the most out the talented and expressive subjects he uses to do it! If a photographer is unable to study Dave Hill and come away enriched he's got a lot more to learn than a simple post processing technique.

Last edited by GoldenWreckedAngle; 06-30-2009 at 08:10 PM.

redpigeons · 06-30-2009, 08:22 PM

well I can tel you that every Dave hill project is a production... there is a lot of matte painting involve and a lot of work... and I will not be surprised if he is not doing his own PP
the photograph is just the skeleton.. I like it for what it is .
to get this look you also need a great stylist, lighter, and at least three photoshop artist one of them with good drawing skills

wll · 07-01-2009, 07:00 AM

This guy does some great stuff IMHO, he is quite a talent.

wll

GoldenWreckedAngle · 07-01-2009, 07:34 AM

Redpigeons is right on. A Dave Hill set looks more like a movie production than a still shoot and really, his technique is probably better learned by studying videography than photography. Another shooter that might interest photographers that like the Dave Hill style is Tim Tadder, AKA: The Visual Pimp. There's not quite as much storyline in his images but they are a visual treat... all-be-it a treat that will not agree with everyone's preferred aesthetic flavor.

cwood · 07-01-2009, 08:01 AM

Originally posted by Arpe

They're pretty cool, but I don't like them. They look like drawings.

Does that mean that you don't like drawings?

They don't look like drawings to me - just a different kind of art. To me there is only good art and bad art. The tools to create the art are irrelevant unless you are trying to copy it.

Jodokast96 · 07-01-2009, 02:58 PM

I don't think anybody ever said it wasn't art. And once again, God forbid one be a naysayer around here.

jacksonpritt · 07-01-2009, 03:58 PM

Aren't most of Dave Hill's "photographs" actually photomontage?

Arpe · 07-01-2009, 05:12 PM

Originally posted by kunik

Does that mean that you don't like drawings?

They don't look like drawings to me - just a different kind of art. To me there is only good art and bad art. The tools to create the art are irrelevant unless you are trying to copy it.

I only like drawings if they look like photos!!

soalle · 07-01-2009, 08:08 PM

Have you checked the behind the scenes section?

it ain't easy achieving those results...

GoldenWreckedAngle · 07-02-2009, 11:41 AM

Originally posted by Jodokast96

I don't think anybody ever said it wasn't art. And once again, God forbid one be a naysayer around here.

Nay.......

attack11 · 07-02-2009, 12:06 PM

The F STOP Professional Photographers Discuss Their Craft Uncategorized

that photo blog is great for studying and reproducing this kind of high end work. compositing is a career of it's own, so you need the right software for quality results.

GoldenWreckedAngle · 07-02-2009, 12:59 PM

Originally posted by attack11

The F STOP Professional Photographers Discuss Their Craft Uncategorized

that photo blog is great for studying and reproducing this kind of high end work. compositing is a career of it's own, so you need the right software for quality results.

Hey, thanks. I hadn't seen that resource before. Looks like several of the top players are posting there.

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06-30-2009, 06:40 PM	#16
song_hm Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 797 Original Poster	Originally posted by ivoire Appreciate the question, examples and solution. Always open to new ideas/techniques Unfortunately, no one has offered a solution how it is done. Still waiting ... Yes, keep on learning, and growing. Originally posted by schmik Why be so negative... I like it and if don't then you don't have to say "it's not photography" Agree. I don't hear people who subscribe to Leonardo Davinci's style says a Van Gogh is not a painting. From other forums, the technique seems a love it or hate it variety, inciting strong reaction from the it-is-not-photography camp.

06-30-2009, 06:53 PM	#17
song_hm Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 797 Original Poster	Originally posted by krypticide I really like the style. It comes across more on the "art" side than the "photograph" side (not that the two are mutually exclusive). What is amazing is how he is able to make the image looks like a mechanically captured photograph, a hand crafted painting, and a computer generated image all at the same time. Originally posted by Arpe They're pretty cool, but I don't like them. They look like drawings. I think that is the whole point - beyond click and capture.

06-30-2009, 07:37 PM	#18
brecklundin Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,674	Originally posted by song_hm What is amazing is how he is able to make the image looks like a mechanically captured photograph, a hand crafted painting, and a computer generated image all at the same time. I think that is the whole point - beyond click and capture. Exactly...it's why I find them interesting. Is art not taking something raw and creating something interesting and maybe even new from the raw materials? Often combining materials and media of differing types, some never even used in combination before, but taking those tools and materials to create new, interesting pieces is what it is all about. Every form has it's place...funny how closed some minds are for the unconventional non-mainstream, then again that is why we have network TV, right? Were the inability to imagine, accept and create the norm we would not have ever gone to the Moon, have autos, have computers or even the internet. Then again, who even knows if we have been to the moon or that the Earth is not flat? Nice find and thanks for the links...something to research and see how it's done!

06-30-2009, 08:00 PM	#19
GoldenWreckedAngle Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Abilene, TX Posts: 339	He starts with a lot of light. See how his subjects are just totally wrapped in the stuff with an emphasis on the rim and hair lights. I read in an interview once that he routinely uses 8 or more lights on each subject. Once you've got that part down bring up the fill, contrast, clarity and brightness sliders in Adobe Camera Raw then back off the brightness and saturation sliders to taste. The reason the Dave Hill look is so hard to re-create is that he does most of it with his camera and strobes, not his software. Edit: Oh yea, the other thing I see most Dave Hill emulators missing is the story. Check out the storytelling! That is what really makes Dave Hill so popular (and wealthy). The guy can tell a story and he knows how to get the most out the talented and expressive subjects he uses to do it! If a photographer is unable to study Dave Hill and come away enriched he's got a lot more to learn than a simple post processing technique. Last edited by GoldenWreckedAngle; 06-30-2009 at 08:10 PM.

06-30-2009, 08:22 PM	#20
redpigeons Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 943	well I can tel you that every Dave hill project is a production... there is a lot of matte painting involve and a lot of work... and I will not be surprised if he is not doing his own PP the photograph is just the skeleton.. I like it for what it is . to get this look you also need a great stylist, lighter, and at least three photoshop artist one of them with good drawing skills

07-01-2009, 07:00 AM	#21
wll Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mission Hills, CA Posts: 773	This guy does some great stuff IMHO, he is quite a talent. wll

07-01-2009, 07:34 AM	#22
GoldenWreckedAngle Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Abilene, TX Posts: 339	Redpigeons is right on. A Dave Hill set looks more like a movie production than a still shoot and really, his technique is probably better learned by studying videography than photography. Another shooter that might interest photographers that like the Dave Hill style is Tim Tadder, AKA: The Visual Pimp. There's not quite as much storyline in his images but they are a visual treat... all-be-it a treat that will not agree with everyone's preferred aesthetic flavor.

07-01-2009, 08:01 AM	#23
cwood Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: California Posts: 851	Originally posted by Arpe They're pretty cool, but I don't like them. They look like drawings. Does that mean that you don't like drawings? They don't look like drawings to me - just a different kind of art. To me there is only good art and bad art. The tools to create the art are irrelevant unless you are trying to copy it.

07-01-2009, 02:58 PM	#24
Jodokast96 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Erial, NJ USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,134	I don't think anybody ever said it wasn't art. And once again, God forbid one be a naysayer around here.

07-01-2009, 03:58 PM	#25
jacksonpritt Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Berkeley, CA Posts: 124	Aren't most of Dave Hill's "photographs" actually photomontage?

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07-01-2009, 05:12 PM	#26
Arpe Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,452	Originally posted by kunik Does that mean that you don't like drawings? They don't look like drawings to me - just a different kind of art. To me there is only good art and bad art. The tools to create the art are irrelevant unless you are trying to copy it. I only like drawings if they look like photos!!

07-01-2009, 08:08 PM	#27
soalle Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Italy -> Canada -> Belgium -> Switzerland Photos: Gallery Posts: 233	Have you checked the behind the scenes section? it ain't easy achieving those results...

07-02-2009, 11:41 AM	#28
GoldenWreckedAngle Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Abilene, TX Posts: 339	Originally posted by Jodokast96 I don't think anybody ever said it wasn't art. And once again, God forbid one be a naysayer around here. Nay.......

07-02-2009, 12:06 PM	#29
attack11 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ottawa, ON - Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 658	The F STOP Professional Photographers Discuss Their Craft Uncategorized that photo blog is great for studying and reproducing this kind of high end work. compositing is a career of it's own, so you need the right software for quality results.

07-02-2009, 12:59 PM	#30
GoldenWreckedAngle Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Abilene, TX Posts: 339	Originally posted by attack11 The F STOP Professional Photographers Discuss Their Craft Uncategorized that photo blog is great for studying and reproducing this kind of high end work. compositing is a career of it's own, so you need the right software for quality results. Hey, thanks. I hadn't seen that resource before. Looks like several of the top players are posting there.