Thursday, August 1, 2019

Output Color Management

In order to produce the most accurate color and contrast for output, whether for print or for web, it is important to be viewing images in the correct proof setup. An ICC profile (developed by the International Color Consortium) is used to provide an accurate description of the characteristics of a digital device or working color space, allowing the computer screen, printer, and paper to be in "agreement" with one another to reproduce accurate colors for output. 

Follow these steps:

1.) download the correct ICC profile for your printer and paper type (the ICC profiles can be found on the website of the paper manufacturer) - each different paper will have a different, specific ICC profile for your printer model; i.e., Hahnemuhle Photo Rag paper will have a different ICC profile than Hahnemuhle Baryta paper than Hahnemuhle canvas, and so on

2.) install the ICC profiles in the Profiles folder which is inside the Color Sync folder which is inside the Library folder

3.) after you have made your corrections and adjustments in Camera RAW, open the image in Photoshop, go to View, pull down to Proof Setup, and across to Custom

4.) locate the correct ICC profile inside the Custom drop down menu in the Device to Simulate menu - be sure to choose Perceptual and Black Point Compensation

5.) go back to View and click on Gamut Warning
 
(above) the neon green area shows an out-of-gamut warning

6.) If your image is out-of-gamut, you may need to:
      a.) adjust the contrast using a Curves or Levels adjustment layer
      b.) adjust an out-of-gamut color by using an HSL adjustment layer

7.) once you have made your adjustment(s), you can be assured of having a much better reproduction either onscreen or on paper

NOTE 01: to check the gamut on images going to the web, select sRGB IEC61966-2.1 as the Device to Simulate

NOTE 02: to change the color of the gamut warning (default is grey)
      a.) go to Photoshop, pull down to Preferences and across to Transparency & Gamut
      b.) click on the Gamut Warning Color: square and choose the color you wish to use


Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Creative Portraiture

There are TWO parts to this assignment:
Part 1 - Conceptual Portraits and
Part 2 - Conceptual Self-Portraits

THE CONCEPTUAL PORTRAIT:

Conceptual photography illustrates an idea. The photography is often staged, as the 'concept' is both preconceived and, if successful, understandable in the completed image.

Conceptual Portraits - two (2) fully-edited conceptual portraits using different camera viewpoints, putting your subject in a unique environment, using props to define your subject, showing different moods or emotions of your subject, using shadows creatively, showing only parts of the subject's body, and using negative space. Edit them as desired, and post them to your Behance account along with your URL link on Canvas.

Conceptual Self-Portraits - create two (2) conceptual self-portraits using different camera viewpoints, putting your subject in a unique environment, using props to define your subject, showing different moods or emotions of your subject, using shadows creatively, showing only parts of the subject's body, and using negative space. Edit them as desired, and post them to your Behance account along with your URL link on Canvas.

..........

PART 1 - CONCEPTUAL PORTRAITS:

1.) Change your point of view; i. e., choose a low viewpoint on the ground, or choose an overhead viewpoint, or get extremely close to your subject (if you have a close-up or macro/micro lens).


(above) Erin by Berit Alits


2.) Put your subject in a different environment; i. e., in the ocean or a pool, behind a window, peeking out behind a door or fence, etc.






3.) Use props as a different viewpoint to look at your subject; i. e., eyeglasses, jars, mirrors, etc.






(above) Julian Oh - The Hunt for Blue September


(above) Arianna Ceccarelli — H U N T




(above) by Giuseppe Mastromatte


(above) Resilient by Ade Santora

(above) Courtney by Berit Alits


4.) Ask your subject to show a different emotion than simply smiling.

(above) by Petko Petkov





5.) Use shadows creatively to frame your subject.







6.) Frame your subject by showing only a portion of her/his face.






7.) Add another person into your portrait.







PART 2 - CONCEPTUAL SELF-PORTRAITS

Photographers were creating "selfies" long before the advent of smartphones with built-in cameras.  By framing an area of background, carefully measuring for focus, and using a timer on the camera or a long cable release, photographers have created self-portraits that speak volumes about their personalities.

Create self-portraits for this assignment that reveal a bit about you. You will find a tripod or a stable stool, table, or ladder to be helpful for supporting your camera while you create your self-portraits.

Here are some examples of self-portraits by well-known photographers:

(above) Cindy Sherman, Untitled Film Still #21, 1977

(above) Cindy Sherman, Untitled Film Still #84, 1978

(above) self-portrait by Lee Miller, 1945
Miller, an American Jew and the only female combat photographer in Europe during 
World War II, photographed herself in Adolph Hitler's bathtub in his captured residence

(above) self-portrait by Yousuf Karsh, 1946
 (above) self-portrait by Lisette Model, 1940's

(above) self-portrait by Vivian Maier, 1950's

(above) Lee Friedlander, 1970

(above) self-portrait of Irving Penn photographing a New Guinea mud man and child, date unknown

 (above) self-portrait from the series "On Being An Angel" by Francesca Woodman

  (above) self-portrait from the series "On Being An Angel" by Francesca Woodman

  (above) "self-portrait talking to vince" by Francesca Woodman

 (above) self-portrait from the series "On Being An Angel" by Francesca Woodman

(above) self-portrait by Richard Avedon, Provo, Utah, 1980

(above) self-portrait by Annie Leibovitz, date unknown
(above) self-portrait by Robert Mapplethorpe, 1988, as he was close to death from AIDS

(above) self-portrait by Mark Seliger, date unknown
 (above) self-portrait from the series "Wallflower" by Corinne Perry, date unknown

  (above) self-portrait from the series "Wallflower" by Corinne Perry, date unknown

  (above) self-portrait from the series "Wallflower" by Corinne Perry, date unknown

  (above) self-portrait from the series "Wallflower" by Corinne Perry, date unknown

(above) self portrait titled "Pulled into faerieland" by Heather Graves

(above) self-portrait by Rachel Baran

(above) self-portrait titled "The ghost in you" by Ted Lee


(above) self-portrait titled "Sleepwalking" by Sarah Ann Loreth

 (above) self-portrait by Jekaterina Nikitina

  (above) self-portrait by Jekaterina Nikitina

(below) several conceptual self-portraits by Flora Borsi


 





(below) several conceptual self-portraits by Cristina Otero







(below) self-portraits images by various photographers