Trisha Bradshaw - 70s Portrait Variations #3

This third installment of '70s style portraits with model Trisha Bradshaw and make-up by Sarah Lynn begins with a natural color shot.  The processing started in Lightroom 3 for color adjustment based on the X-Rite Color Checker Passport, using the +1 portrait square with the eye-dropper.  Lightroom also cropped, added black and reduced clarity.  In Photoshop CS5, I adjusted levels, applied lens correction and did some clone tool type spotting.  Finally, Vivenza lowered brightness, boosted contrast and control points increased structure on the eyes and mouth.

The Fresson look was made in Nik Color Efex Pro.

Finally, the monochrome was made from the top picture in Nik Silver Efex Pro, using Agfa 100 stock, a K2 filter and coffee toner.

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 D
Exposure:	ISO 200, f/4 @ 1/13s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	Single Calumet Quattro beauty with 5500K fluorescent bulbs
Support:	Gitzo Basalt Tripod, Acratech GP head, RRS L-bracket
Location:	Grand Center Artists' Studios
Dates:	Capture - February 19, 2011, Processed - February 23, 2011
Processing:	Lightroom 3.3, Photoshop CS5, Nik Silver Efex Pro, Nik Color Efex Pro

Trisha Bradshaw - 70s Portrait Variations #2

Leading with the Fresson print this second '70s style Hollywood portrait of model Trisha Bradshaw, with makeup by Sarah Lynn, executed in the manner of Skrebneski and David Bailey.  The top three pictures all started with the bottom shot followed by removal of the hand in Photoshop.  This picture was made with a Fresson preset I made for Color Efex Pro.

This monochrome was made in Nik Silver Efex Pro using the Agfa 400 film preset and the orange filter.

This gum print look was made in Nik Silver Efex Pro using a preset I made called "Grainy Nude".  

And finally, the straight shot after some minor clean up and levels adjustment in Photoshop CS5.

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 D
Exposure:	ISO 200, f/4 @ 1/13s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	Single Calumet Quattro beauty with 5500K fluorescent bulbs
Support:	Gitzo Basalt Tripod, Acratech GP head, RRS L-bracket
Location:	Grand Center Artists' Studios
Dates:	Capture - February 19, 2011, Processed - February 22, 2011
Processing:	Lightroom 3.3, Photoshop CS5, Nik Silver Efex Pro, Nik Color Efex Pro

Trisha Bradshaw - The Blue Light

Starring model Trisha Bradshaw, with make-up by Sarah Lynn, this picture's processing is inspired by the haunting, innovative photography of the 1932 film, "The Blue Light", directed by the amazing Leni Riefenstahl.  There were quite a few steps involved for this picture, which used Lightroom 3, Photoshop CS5, Nik Vivenza, Nik Sharpener, Nik Dfine, Nik Color Efex Pro and finally Nik Silver Efex Pro.  

This color picture is the step before the monochrome conversion.  I find that a modified version of the Nik Color Efex Pro "Glamor Glow" effectively emulates look of film before anti-halation backing was invented.

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 D
Exposure:	ISO 200, f/4.5 @ 1/15s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	1 Calumet Quattro beauty and 1 Flashpoint bank with 5500K fluorescent lights
Support:	Gitzo Basalt Tripod, Acratech GP head, RRS L-bracket
Location:	Grand Center Artists' Studios
Dates:	Capture - February 19, 2011, Processed - February 20, 2011
Processing:	Lightroom 3.3, Photoshop CS5, Nik Silver Efex Pro

Trisha Bradshaw #2 - Metropolis Lighting

Model Trisha Bradshaw, with make up by Sarah Lynn, sat for this picture made with a simple two light glamor setup that was commonly used in 1920s German cinema.  Most of the close-ups in Fritz Lang's 1927 Metropolis were lit like this.  Processing for the color version used Lightroom 3 to crop and reduce clarity and saturation, followed by brightness adjustment in Nik Vivenza and minor stray hair cleanup in Photoshop CS5.

Taking the 1920s German emulation a little further, I set up a preset in Nik Silver Efex Pro that emulates the look of a Leica IIc and an early Agfa ortho-chromatic emulsion.

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 D
Exposure:	ISO 200, f/4.5 @ 1/15s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	1 Calumet Quattro beauty and 1 Flashpoint bank with 5500K fluorescent lights
Support:	Gitzo Basalt Tripod, Acratech GP head, RRS L-bracket
Location:	Grand Center Artists' Studios
Dates:	Capture - February 19, 2011, Processed - February 20, 2011
Processing:	Lightroom 3.3, Photoshop CS5, Nik Silver Efex Pro

Urban Abstract #5 HDR Variations

This solarized version floated to the top because it is the strongest graphically.  The single image HDR tone mapped image below fed Nik Color Efex Pro for the conversion, then Lightroom 3 supplied the blue/sepia split tone effect.

Nik HDR Efex produced this single image tone maped version.  I think what happened with the color splashing around in the out of focus areas is quite interesting.

Out of curiosity, I tried a color isolate red filter.  It looks a little like a Dexter promo.

The monochrome from Nik Silver Efex Pro is very clean.  

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	Nikkor AF 24-85mm f2.8-4 IF
Exposure:	ISO 200, 85mm @ f/4.5 @ 1/500s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	Morning daylight
Support:	Handheld
Location:	City Garden, St. Louis
Dates:	Capture - April 11, 2010, Processed - January 14, 2011
Processing:	Lightroom 3.3, Photoshop CS5, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro, Nik Color Efex Pro

Neo-Classical in Modern Variations

The idea of the neo-classical building "trapped" inside the modern building was impetus behind the shutter click.  My main concern was to make it read properly and be a stylistic fit with other pictures from City Garden.  I don't know which of these variations I prefer yet, so please comment.  Starting with a naturalistic single image tone mapping in Nik HDR Efex helped bring out structure and color, I added some "CSI Miami" glow to make it look less harsh.

  The naturalistic, minimal processing here is pleasant, but lacks the acid punch.

This is the single image tone mapped image straight out of Nik HDR Efex.

Another approach to soften the HDR grunge is to run the shot through the Polaroid Transfer preset in Nik Color Efex Pro.

This monochrome attempt made in Nik Silver Efex Pro using a green filter and blue/sepia split tone doesn't "read" as well as the color because the reflection and stone tones are too close.

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	AF NIKKOR 180mm f/2.8D IF-ED "Leni Lens"
Exposure:	ISO 200, f/8.0 @ 1/400s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	Morning daylight and shade
Support:	Handheld
Location:	City Garden, St. Louis GPS
Dates:	Capture - April 11, 2010, Processed - January 23, 2011
Processing:	Lightroom 3.3, Photoshop CS5, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro, Nik Color Efex Pro

Reflections in HDR - Three Variations

When was looking in the viewfinder at this scene, I was worried about bringing together the deep blue sky in the reflection and the balded sky behind the building.  Then I decided not to worry and just take the picture.  A light touch on the tone mapping with the single image in Nik HDR Efex pulled out some texture in the reflected buildings and pulled out some clouds on the left.  The black spec on the lower left cloud is a bird.

The monochrome conversion is courtesy Nik Silver Efex Pro, using a green filter and sepia/blue split toner.

The solarized version is also from Nik Silver Efex Pro, using a custom preset I created originally for statues.  This might be my favorite because it looks so ghostly.

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G
Exposure:	ISO 200, f/8.0 @ 1/320s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	Morning daylight and shade
Support:	Handheld
Location:	Kiener Plaza, St. Louis GPS
Dates:	Capture - April 11, 2010, Processed - January 10, 2011
Processing:	Lightroom 3.3, Photoshop CS5, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro, Nik Color Efex Pro

End Of The Path, Valley Park Trail

Piled at the end of a path along the Meramec River sits this precarious stack of large concrete blocks.  The scale isn't evident here, but they are large enough to require a crane to move them.  Curiously, they don't seem to match any structures nearby.  This monochrome was created in Nik Silver Efex pro, applying a sharp blue filter.

The color picture upon which the comes from five one stop brackets merged in Nik HDR Efex Pro, followed by levels adjustments in Photoshop CS5 and finally cropped in Lightroom 3.3.

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G
Exposure:	ISO 200, f/16 @ 1/80s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	Late afternoon daylight and shade
Support:	Gitzo Basalt Tripod, Acratech GP head, Really Right Stuff L-bracket
Location:	Valley Park River Trail GPS
Dates:	Capture - October 10, 2010, Processed - December 29, 2010
Processing:	Lightroom 3.3, Photoshop CS5, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro, Nik Color Efex Pro

Hole with Spider Web

With Ralph Gibson much in mind as I took the shot and I was debating whether to remove the spider web.  It grew on my as I worked, so the spider stars in final edit.

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	Nikkor AF 24-85mm f2.8-4 IF
Exposure:	ISO 200, 70mm @ f/6.7 @ 1/180s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	Bright Sunlight
Support:	Handheld
Location:	Frontier Park, St. Charles, Missouri GPS
Dates:	Capture - June 28, 2009, Processed - December 23, 2010
Processing:	Lightroom 3.3, Photoshop CS5, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro

Bust of Hygia #3

A bust of Hygia hangs out at our studio, usually on a window ledge.  This is an iPhone 4 Instagram image, processed in Nik Silver Efex Pro for a monochrome conversion using my "Grainy Nude" preset.  The blue/sepia split tone came from Lightroom 3, as well as lens correction.

Technical
Camera:	Apple iPhone 4
Lens:	Apple 3.85
Exposure:	ISO 500, f/2.8 @ 1/500s, Auto WB, JPEG
Lighting:	Window daylight
Support:	Handheld
Location:	Grand Center Artist Studios
Dates:	Capture - December 5, 2010, Processed - December 19, 2010
Processing:	Lightroom 3, Nik Silver Efex Pro

Soiled Napkin at Duff's

This is my napkin at the end of a wonderful, leisurely meal on the sidewalk in front of Duff's Restaurant.  Processing included Nik HDR Efex, Nik Dfine, Photoshop CS5, Lightroom 3.

Technical
Camera:	Nikon D700
Lens:	Nikkor AF-S 50mm f1.4 G
Exposure:	ISO 1600, f/2.0 @ 1/4s, Auto WB, RAW
Lighting:	Streetlight
Support:	Handheld
Location:	Duff's Restaurant GPS
Dates:	Capture - October 9, 2010, Processed - December 11, 2010
Processing:	Lightroom 3.3, Photoshop CS5, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro

Nautilus Shell #2, iPhone HDR

This picture of a nautilus shell started with the Instagram App on the iPhone 4.  I liked the composition and "Lord Kelvin" preset, but the shot was too flat.  To give it some life, I ran the picture through Nik Define, Nik Vivenza and finally Nik HDR Efex.

I've become a big fan of Instagram.  It is well suited to playing impressionistic work.

The monochrome comes from Nik Silver Efex Pro.

Technical
Camera:	iPhone 4
Lens:	Apple 3.85mm
Exposure:	ISO 500, f/2.8 @ 1/17s, Auto WB, JPEG
Lighting:	Window light
Support:	Handheld
Location:	Grand Center Artist Lofts GPS
Dates:	December 5, 2010
Processing:	Instagram - Lord Kelvin preset, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro

St. Louis Art Museum at Night

Leaving the St. Louis Art Museum at dusk last evening, the sky was absolutely crystal clear and lighting on the statue of St. Louis spectacular.  This monochrome was processed in Nik Silver Efex Pro using a custom blue/sepia split tone.

This is the color version, pretty much straight out of the Nikon D700 set to auto white balance.  The color is accurate, which is to say, this is how the scene looked to me.  The sky is amazing, but, as Susan pointed out, it really over powers the subject.


Camera: Nikon D700
Lens: Nikkor AF-S 50mm f1.4 G
Exposure: ISO 200, f/5.6 @ 1/8s
Support: Handheld
Lighting: Mixed dusk skylight, tungsten and mercury
Location: St. Louis Art Musem GPS
Dates: Capture - November 26, 2010, Processed - November 27, 2010
Processing: RAW in Lightroom 3 and Nik Silver Efex Pro

Cypress Knees, Heron Pond, HDR Test

The cypress knees are curious structures that are part of the root system.  This version started with the color picture below, made from three half-stop brackets processed in Nik HDR Efex, then applied a "Color Isolate Red" develop preset in Lightroom 3.  The knees got lost is the straight monochrome conversion.

This HDR color version captures fairly well the minor chord dusk light and mood of the swamp.  

In Nik Silver Efex Pro, I was able to get good separation between the knees and water without loosing detail using a split tone preset I made for landscapes.

Lens: Nikkor AF 24-85mm f2.8-4 IF 

Camera: Nikon D100

Exposure: ISO 200, 50mm @ f/8 @ 1/6s, Auto WB, tripod, RAW

Lighting: Daylight at dusk

Location: Cache River Natural Area, Heron Pond GPS

Dates: Capture - April 15, 2006, Processing - November 18, 2010

Processing: RAW file in Lightroom 3, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro

Urban Detail #4, HDR

This is a side view of the same snow blade at the Museum of Transportation St. Louis I posted as "Urban Detail #3", processed as a single file in Nik HDR Efex.  I used a more naturalistic tone mapping for this picture.

This monochrome was processed in Nik Silver Efex Pro with a split tone applied in Lightroom 3.

Lens: Nikkor AF 24-85mm f2.8-4 IF 

Camera: Nikon D100

Exposure: ISO 200, 85mm @ f/5.6 @ 1/60s, Auto WB, tripod, RAW

Lighting: Daylight

Location: Museum of Transportation St. Louis GPS

Dates: Capture - October 16, 2005, Procesed - November 16, 2010

Processing: Lightroom 3, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro, Photoshop CS5

Urban Detail #3, HDR

This is a new version of a previously published picture of a snow blade at the Museum of Transportation, starting with the color version below and converting to monochrome in Nik Silver Efex Pro using a custom split tone preset.

Nik HDR Efex found quite a bit of color.  I find that the exaggerated color gives me more to work with in the monochrome conversions.

Lens: Nikkor AF 24-85mm f2.8-4 IF 

Camera: Nikon D100

Exposure: ISO 200, 85mm @ f/5.6 @ 1/125s, Auto WB, tripod, RAW

Lighting: Daylight

Location: Museum of Transportation St. Louis GPS

Dates: Capture - October 16, 2005, Procesed - November 14, 2010

Processing: Lightroom 3, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro, Photoshop CS5

Tug Boat Dock Detail #1, HDR

When I took this picture along the Missouri River in St. Charles, I was very much thinking about the work of Ralph Gibson and intended it to be a monochrome abstraction.  As I was processing the single file in Nik HDR Efex, however, Ernst Haas suddenly showed up.  I guess it is a two-fer.

Lens: Nikkor AF 24-85mm f2.8-4 IF 

Camera: Nikon D100

Exposure: ISO 200, 24mm @ f/11 @ 1/250s, Auto WB, tripod, RAW

Lighting: Daylight

Location: Missouri Riverfront, Pioneer Park, St. Charles

Dates: Capture - June 28, 2009, Procesed - November 11, 2010

Processing: Lightroom 3, Nik HDR Efex, Nik Silver Efex Pro, Photoshop CS5