playing with my new makro lens ...

mrerick · 01-09-2012, 08:57 PM

Wolfgang,

Your pictures are superb! Very nice, and quite a bit of labor.

In video, we use a false color (green or blue) background for automating the cutout of foreground images and insertion of backgrounds.

This technique would work well in photoshop, and could eliminate quite a bit of the labor you must invest to rotoscope out the image. The key is to not allow the background color to reflect on the firearm's highlights. That is done through lighting. Tools that select by color can even do the cutout with the transparent shadow intact.

I also use a black background cloth called Duvtyne. It absorbs light. This allows me to set the exposure of the firearm itself more accurately.

Your need to stop down automatic exposure is because of the reflectance of the white background. It all works out in the end. Exposure meters are calibrated to an 18% reflective grey card.

Marc

wolfganggo · 01-11-2012, 06:17 PM

hy marc
thx for this infos. i tried with colored backgrounds, but as you mentioned, the shadows at the reflecting parts of the gun where colored like the background.
also i was not able to cut the background away with the photoshop software.

but

after your post i will try to get this light eating stuff for the back, and do another try with both, colored background and the blackstuff.

thx for the infos

wolfganggo

DaveinTN · 01-14-2012, 05:26 PM

Excellent work! The detail is razor sharp! I too have found that once you start working with Photoshop and get the hang of it, you become addicted! You suddenly realize that you'll never be able to look at another digital photo without asking yourself how it could be improved, or, if it has been "manipulated" by someone else.

CO-08 · 02-03-2012, 12:35 AM

I missed seeing this thread earlier but am really impressed with your photos! Very appreciative of your "how-to" reply also. I'm still struggling with photography so any of the tech help makes it a little easier.

01-09-2012, 08:57 PM	#1
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,920 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	Wolfgang, Your pictures are superb! Very nice, and quite a bit of labor. In video, we use a false color (green or blue) background for automating the cutout of foreground images and insertion of backgrounds. This technique would work well in photoshop, and could eliminate quite a bit of the labor you must invest to rotoscope out the image. The key is to not allow the background color to reflect on the firearm's highlights. That is done through lighting. Tools that select by color can even do the cutout with the transparent shadow intact. I also use a black background cloth called Duvtyne. It absorbs light. This allows me to set the exposure of the firearm itself more accurately. Your need to stop down automatic exposure is because of the reflectance of the white background. It all works out in the end. Exposure meters are calibrated to an 18% reflective grey card. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

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01-11-2012, 06:17 PM	#2
wolfganggo User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: near vienna Posts: 93 Thanks: 1 Thanked 81 Times in 18 Posts	hy marc thx for this infos. i tried with colored backgrounds, but as you mentioned, the shadows at the reflecting parts of the gun where colored like the background. also i was not able to cut the background away with the photoshop software. but after your post i will try to get this light eating stuff for the back, and do another try with both, colored background and the blackstuff. thx for the infos wolfganggo

01-14-2012, 05:26 PM	#3
DaveinTN User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 186 Thanks: 3 Thanked 15 Times in 11 Posts	Excellent work! The detail is razor sharp! I too have found that once you start working with Photoshop and get the hang of it, you become addicted! You suddenly realize that you'll never be able to look at another digital photo without asking yourself how it could be improved, or, if it has been "manipulated" by someone else.

02-03-2012, 12:35 AM	#4
CO-08 New User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 2 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I missed seeing this thread earlier but am really impressed with your photos! Very appreciative of your "how-to" reply also. I'm still struggling with photography so any of the tech help makes it a little easier.