Nikon D300 Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/8 ISO 200 1/500th strobist: SB-600 hotshoe mounted TTL
What I wanted to make the focus of this image, was the kiss. Yet I did not want to do this simply by cropping way in on the bride and groom. My original idea was to just use a holga filter on the image, but I did not like the grain for this shot. I wanted more of an ethereal look to the shot, rather than historic. I also wanted to isolate the couple from the distracting background. The way to achieve this look did not come to me all at once. I tried one thing, which led to another, which ultimately lead to the final image you see above.
Here is the step-by-step editing workflow I followed:
- import RAW file into Aperture 3
- increase the vibrancy slider
- send image into Color Efex Pro 3, apply polarization, pro contrast, & remove color cast filters
- send 16-bit TIFF version into Photoshop CS5 to remove blemishes & sharpen with unsharp mask (save & close)
- via Aperture try holga filter in Silver Efex Pro 3 (do not like result)
- send 16-bit TIFF back into PS CS5 and magic wand select the couple, reverse selection, apply gaussian blur to the selection (save & close)
- via Aperture use Silver Efex Pro 3 to apply high structure filter, add vignette, burn bottom edge (finished!)
It took me a good bit of time, like over 15 minutes, but I really like working on experimental processing projects like this, when I have the time. The original (well, only did first three bullets to it) is below. What do you think? Which do you prefer, original or selective focus black & white, both or neither? Why?
the "original" image