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Bonus composite videos

Gavin Hoey — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 04:55:06 +0000

Last week I uploaded the two part video with Mark Wallace and myself. If you missed it the click here to go back and see both videos.

Mark was kind enough to share all the photos he shot with me and it seemed like a terrible waste not make use of at lease one more. So in the video below I’ll show you how I created this photo composite. Going mono was all part of the plan and makes compositing two images together a whole lot easier as you no longer have the issue of matching colours to get in the way.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Can’t see the video? Click here http://youtu.be/vbFlTkkOglU

In this video I do a deep dive tutorial on how to use Photoshop to composite the original photos. I start with how to use Adobe Camera RAW to create an HDR background and then add some light rays with my recent Friday Freebie Light Ray Brushes.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Can’t see the video? Click here http://youtu.be/szQ0kj1xuZc

Composite with Mark Wallace

Gavin Hoey — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 04:42:11 +0000

A few weeks back I had the absolute privilege of spending a few hours with photographer and fellow Adorama TV presenter Mark Wallace. He was on a European vaccation and we met up in London for a chat over a cup of tea.

Dispite Mark being on his holiday and neither of us planning to shoot a video we decided the oportunity was too good to miss. The plan was for Mark to shoot a portrait in his studio in Phoenix, Arizona and I’d shoot a background in the UK and composite the two photos together.

So here’s part one which starts in the UK before moving on to the USA.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Part two is where I get to shoot a new background and composite the two photos together. I’ll be using Photoshop Elements 11 to do this which features the same ability to make amazing selections of hair that’s found in Photoshop CS5. In otherwords the technique I use in Elements is the same in Photoshop CS5, CS6 and Photoshop CC.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

We had a real laugh shooting this video and who knows, may be one day we can organise a bigger, better shoot or two. Mark made a BONUS outtakes video which you can see here and may be the best video of the three http://youtu.be/gJf6vJ5_WXc

Equipment used in the video:

Adobe Photoshop Elements 11
http://www.adorama.com/ABPSE11WM.html?KBID=67338

Canon 5D Mark II
http://www.adorama.com/ICA5DM2.html?KBID=67338

Canon 24-105L f/4 IS
http://www.adorama.com/CA24105AFU.html?KBID=67338

Vanguard ABEO Plus 283CT Tripod
http://www.adorama.com/VGABEO283CT.html?KBID=67338

Vanguard GH-200 head
http://www.adorama.com/VGGH200.html?KBID=67338

Candlelight From A Speedlite

Gavin Hoey — Thu, 30 May 2013 04:38:07 +0000

Candle light is one of the toughest types of light to work with for several reasons. There’s the obvious health and safety issues with naked flames and when your studios ‘made of wood (like mine is) that’s a big concern. That aside, candle light is also incredibly dim which is why film and TV directors fake candle light… and so do I.

In this video tutorial I’ll show you how to turn a speedlight in to realistic candle light which is safe, predictable and bright enough to keep your ISO at sensible levels.

I’m using a modified lantern as my virtual light source. If you want to get the same lamp then pop along to your nearest Ikea where you can pick one of the Rotera Lanterns up for around £2.00 (see link below) all you need to is leave it exposed to the elements for a few years and it’ll look just like mine

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Can’t view the video? Try this link http://youtu.be/Z_7kQorCwkU

Equipment used in the video:

Adobe Photoshop CS6
http://www.adorama.com/searchsite/default.aspx?searchinfo=photoshop+cs6&category=4294967278+11&KBID=67338

Canon 60D
http://www.adorama.com/ICA60D.html?KBID=67338

Canon 24-105L f/4 IS
http://www.adorama.com/CA24105AFU.html?KBID=67338

Ikea Lantern
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/26472200/

Smoke video clip

Gavin Hoey — Fri, 03 May 2013 05:43:28 +0000

This weeks Friday Freebie is in two parts as I’m giving away a 30 second video clip of smoke and a tutorial on how to use the clip to create a simple animated text effect in Photoshop CS6

Full download instructions are below but you can also
Click Here To Download the smoke video clip

You can preview the video clip by clicking here

One of the headline new features of Photoshop CS6 is its ability to edit video clips with exactly the same skills you’d need to edit photos. Unlike Photoshop CS5 the video editing is available to all version of Photoshop CS6 not just the extended version.

Now I know most photographers are yet to embrace video and it’s certainly a very different discipline to learn but if you fancy trying your hand at video then this weeks Friday Freebie is for you.

Usage rules
The video clip is copyright Gavin Hoey 2013. Use is limited to any personal, non-commercial purposes. Please share the Friday Freebie by linking back to this page. Do not redistribute the original video clip without my permission.

Download instructions
Click on the download link to take you to my Adobe Creative Cloud download page (no sign up is needed)

1. Click the Actions button

2. Click the Download button

3. Save the zip file to your hard drive

4. Unzip the folder to access the video

Once you’ve got the video you’ll need something to do with it. There’s plenty of ways you can use the clip but to get you started here’s a quick and simple text animation effect.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Backlit portrait with just one light

Gavin Hoey — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 04:55:09 +0000

I’m a huge fan of using speedlights, or flash guns as I grew up calling them and I know a lot of photographers own at least one. For me the humble speedlight is a powerful tool capable of producing amazing portraits.

In this video I try to break the laws of physics by using one speedlight to light both the back and front of a model with just one light. The secret is reflecting the light off of a silver reflector which in effect makes one light become two.

As a final touch I’ll create a sparkling background by adding a little bit of flour into the air behind my model Kristina but in front of the flash.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Equipment used in the video:

Adobe Photoshop CS6

http://www.adorama.com/searchsite/default.aspx?searchinfo=photoshop+cs6&category=4294967278+11&KBID=67338

Canon 60D

http://www.adorama.com/ICA60D.html?KBID=67338

Canon 24-105L f/4 IS
http://www.adorama.com/CA24105AFU.html?KBID=67338

5 in 1 reflector
http://www.adorama.com/WE5I1R20.html?KBID=67338

Shooting Ice Hockey for Adorama TV

Gavin Hoey — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 04:50:25 +0000

A few weeks back I got the chance to shoot an ice hockey match at the rink in Bracknell. I had a blast, so much so that when I was invited back to shoot the Bracknell Hornets vs The Cardiff Devils I knew I had to shoot a video for the event.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

If you enjoyed the video and fancy having a go yourself then contact your local rink. Offer to shoot a minor league game (like the one I shot) which often has smaller crowds. If you fancy shooting a Bracknell Hornets game not only will you’ll have to wait until next season but I’d recommend sweet talking to their official photographer Kevin Slyfield who was kind enough to arrange for me to shoot the video at the John Nike ice rink in Bracknell

Gear used in this video:
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 70-200mm L f/2.8 IS
Giottos MML3270B Monopod

Lovingly Made Photo Challenge

Gavin Hoey — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 05:58:29 +0000

It’s been a while since undertaking my last 15 minute photo challenge so for all of you who have been asking when they’ll return I’ve got some happy news.

My latest 15 minute challenge is now out and with any luck it won’t be the last. This challenge was recorded at Lovingly Made which is a vintage home and garden store located just outside East Grinstead in Sussex. They were kind enough to invite me along to photograph anything that took my eye and there was no shortage of great photos to be had.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Can’t see the video? Click here

As you can see from the video much of my time was spent in the store finding the smaller scenes to photograph. Fortunately I’d packed my flash and the Westcott Pocket Box which I’m in the process of reviewing. This proved to be invaluable for controlling the light.

Products used in the video:

Canon 60D

Canon 24-105mm L f/4 IS

Westcott Pocket Box kit

Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT

Adobe Photoshop CS6

2 Self-Portraits with 1 light

Gavin Hoey — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 11:11:34 +0000

When I first started to learn about lighting I focused all attention on the complexities of flashes first and foremost. Of course whilst lighting is the cornerstone of great portraits, so is an ability to get the best from your model and trust me on this, that can be a lot harder to master.

One way to practice portraiture is shooting a self-portrait project. It’s a great way to practice and perfect various lighting arrangements without the need of a model, subject or assistant.

In this video I’ll show you how to shoot two very different self portraits but remarkably, the lighting will be identical for both. The only thing that will change is the background.

Why change the background, you may ask. Well, the first shot has a black, low key background and the second set of photos has a grey background, which is much simpler to remove and replace with a new background in Photoshop, as you’ll see in the video.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

If you can’t see the video Click Here

Gear used in this video

Interfit Collapsible Double Sided Background, Black / White

Canon 60D

Canon 24-105mm L f/4 IS

Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT Tripod

Vanguard GH-100 Grip Head

Adobe Photoshop CS6

Canon 580 EX II Flash

Flash bracket

Interfit air cushioned light stand

Silver reflective umbrella

(All links go to Adorama, who sponsor all my videos)

Photo Realistic HDR

Gavin Hoey — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 11:15:43 +0000

Over the past couple of years the letters HDR have become synonymous with heavily processed images, garish colours and unreal contrast. Don’t get me wrong, when done with skill that kind of processing can look amazing… on the right subject. The trouble is, of course, that it’s very easy to get carried away with the effect and go too far.

As a result many photographers now hear HDR and instantly dismiss it as gimmicky when in fact HDR (High Dynamic Range) is a technique that’s as old as photography itself. Dodging and burning in the darkroom, pulling out the highlight and shadow detail in RAW processing are all forms of HDR.

However, there are plenty of times when a single image doesn’t have all the detail you want in the highlights and shadows, no matter how much processing you do to it. That’s when multi photo HDR’s come in to their own.

In the video below I’ll show you a couple of ways to shoot multi image HDR photos and then I’ll skip over to Photoshop CS6 to make a photo real HDR image. Photo real means my goal is to make the photo look like a photo… not a painting.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

If you can’t see the video click here

It’s worth pointing out that you must have Photoshop CS6 and have updated its RAW processor to at least 7.1. An alternative work flow would be Photoshop CS4 or CS5 and Lightroom 4

The bigger the difference between the lightest and darkest part of you scene the more photos you’ll need to take. Often three photos are enough to make a good HDR, such as in the image below but it’s always better to have more photos even if you don’t end up using them.

Gear used in this video:

Canon 5D Mark 3 http://www.adorama.com/ICA5DM3.html?KBID=67338

Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 Mk2 http://www.adoramacom/CA2470.html?KBID=67338

Adobe Photoshop CS6 http://www.adorama.com/ABPSCS6M.html?KBID=67338

Manfrotto 055 Pro Tripod http://www.adorama.com/BG055XPROB.html?KBID=67338

Canon RS-80N3 cable release http://www.adorama.com/CARS80N3.html?KBID=67338

Many thanks to the Gatwick Avaiation Museum for allowing me to film in their Shackleton aircraft.
http://www.gatwick-aviation-museum.co.uk

Amazing Christmas bokeh

Gavin Hoey — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 11:40:49 +0000

Happy Christmas!

What did you find wrapped up under the Christmas tree? If you got a shiny new tripod or a lovely new lens then here’s a great photo technique that’s absolutely perfect for today.

Bokeh or background blur as it’s also known, is a simple technique to achieve and the results can me amazing. In the video I go in to plenty of detail so you’ll get a thorough understanding of how it all works and what camera setting work best.

As you can see from the final photo, you can get very creative with bokeh. To give you some inspiration, check out the bokeh group on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/groups/88081697@N00/

I’d love to know if you use this technique and get a great photo, especially if you’ve never tried it before. Upload your photo to Flickr or Facebook (or wherever you post your photos) and leave your link in the comments below.

If you can’t see the video click here

Gear used in the video (links back to Adorama, who sponsor all my videos)
Canon 5D Mark 2
Canon 24-105mm L f/4 USM
Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT Tripod
Vanguard GH-100 Grip Head
Kingston 32GB CompactFlash Ultimate 600x
Adobe Photoshop CS6