Jean-Charles Debroize

Jean-Charles Debroize must have had a very disturbing childhood, or so you would assume when you look at these images.  He is an Art director and digital retouching artist for Creative Agency Kerozen based in France.  His work may not have universal appeal, but it is a unique twist in the advertising world, and after all, isn’t that what advertising is all about.  It may inspire other photographers to challenge the boundaries of their imagination.

Debroize transformed members of his campaign team into letter people. Not the cute cuddly kind from Sesame Street, but rather deformed little creatures that might haunt your dreams, but there is something endearing about these weird little letters with skin, eyes, and hair.

These images are not necessarily representative of his work generally, but designed for a specific campaign.  To create each image, Debroize shaped each letter with modeling clay, then he created flesh-based tones in Photoshop based off the design team members who agreed to have their features turned into a letter to spell out the company name. Debroize explains, “We shot pictures of the letters and of the design team’s faces. Then I made a mapping of skin textures on the letters with Photoshop and added the hair and the eyes. It was not a problem to show an unflattering image of us. We laughed a lot making this.”

Photographed by Jean-Charles Debroize

Photographed by Jean-Charles Debroize

Photographed by Jean-Charles Debroize

Photographed by Jean-Charles Debroize

Check out more brilliance from the team on Kerozen at http://www.studio-kerozen.com

Posted by Alex

Katerina Plotnikova

W.C. Fields said “Never work animals or children” and in this day and age, with the wonders of post editing, it is surprising that Russian photographer Katerina Plotnikova works with both of these to create sensual and inspiring visual fairy-tales.

In a world filled with Photoshop, these pictures are real. The mysterious Moscow-based photographer has been creating a surreal world filled with wild animals and beautiful women. The result looks like a fairy tale come to life.

The raw power and size of many of these animals, including tigers, bears, bats, giraffes and elephants contrasts strikingly with the poses of Plotnikova’s graceful models.  Each scene shows an underlying mystical quality, one that speaks of some deep spiritual communication beyond our everyday world.

If you think taking pictures with bears and tigers seems a bit dangerous, each of the images was made with the help of professional trainers, there at every moment and sensitive to the needs of the animals involved.   The set up for each photo shoot is huge.  In addition to the beautiful human models, who come with their own entourage of hair and make up artists and stylists, the animals require trainers and in addition, transport and food for these models [and hopefully a fully stocked first aid kit].  On location shoots require numerous assistants.  So it raises the question, why does Plotnikova choose to go so far to create these images when Photoshop is a cheaper [and let’s face it, safer] option?  It can be argued that for authenticity, Plotnikova chooses this option over post editing and she has obviously built up a trusted team willing to help her realize her every fantasy.  However, I am unsure of the legality of handling wildlife this way in Australia and further where you would find models who are brave enough to pose. 

Photographed by Katerina Plotnikova

Photographed by Katerina Plotnikova

Photographed by Katerina Plotnikova

Photographed by Katerina Plotnikova

Photographed by Katerina Plotnikova

Photographed by Katerina Plotnikova

See more images of Plotnikova and her assistants creating these impressive scenes on http://vk.com/katerina__plotnikova or see more of her work on https://www.facebook.com/KaterinaPlotnikovaPhotography and http://500px.com/katerina_plotnikova

Posted by Alex

An eBook by Julia Kuzmenko McKim

“Digital Photo Retouching: Beauty, Fashion & Portrait Photography eBook” by Julia Kuzmenko McKim is a publication I came across when I was researching Photoshop tutorials.  It is designed for both amateur and professional photographers who edit their work in Adobe Photoshop.  It is suggested that the book is aimed at intermediate and advanced Photoshop users.  The eBook combines text, photo images as well as “how to” video footage to inspire and educate.  The tutorials are easy to follow, user friendly and cover topics such as retouching tools and techniques for face, skin and hair.  The author shares her knowledge and expertise covering everything from how to prepare your model for a beauty photo shoot to efficient and time-saving retouching workflow.

McKim is a successful internationally published photographer, retoucher and educator and she has capitalized on this background to produce an eBook where most of the techniques are described and demonstrated in the video tutorials.  This digital book is created for visual artists, and visual artists learn best from watching, not reading so there is not a lot of text to wade through.  Additionally, there are photography tips, which will help you to avoid creating retouching problems before the images are photographed. 

Photographers who are looking to add that something special or finishing touch to your fashion shoot portraiture or photo art, this eBook will help to lift your standard from the mundane to the next level.

Buy the book here: http://www.retouchingebooks.com/shop/mad-artist-ebook/

Posted by Alex

The Light Blaster

The Light Blaster, a Strobe-Based Projector is an emerging technology, enabling more flexibility with photography than before.

Photographs by Neil Creek http://www.neilcreek.com

This is a piece of technology I wish I had when was completing a “shadow” assessment last year.  This new piece of camera equipment will let you create new innovative light effects and stunning photo images.  By combining a flash, a lens, and one of many different slides, which you can buy or provide yourself, the Light Blaster lets you project an image into your scene or onto the subject. It looks easy to use and you will need to read the instructions, but you can easily create effects that add to your photo in ways that previously required a lot of imagination, craft skills and clever use of lights.

The Light Blaster is a strong plastic shell that acts as a mount to hold the lens, flash and slide securely in place. You provide a lens and a flash. The lens attaches to the front via an EOS bayonet mount (a Nikon adapter is available). There’s no lock, but it is held firmly. At the back you slide in your flash, which is held in place with a strong leather friction-secured strap, which is adjustable and held in place with velcro. Flashes of many sizes are accepted.

The Light Blaster is well designed and sturdily constructed, and has a metal tripod thread on the bottom in the thickest part of the plastic body so it can be securely mounted on a light stand.  The Light Blaster also comes with a convenient case, which safely holds everything, including space for extra slides and an extra caddy in a small package with a fabric handle.

The Light Blaster can be used primarily in three different ways:

1. Projecting onto the background
2. Projecting onto a model
3. Projecting into the air itself with the aid of a smoke machine

Photographs by Neil Creek http://www.neilcreek.com

In this photo, a pair of wings is projected onto a large wall behind the subject. The low lighting conditions and dark wall enhance the flash projection so it is easily visible.

Photographs by Neil Creek http://www.neilcreek.com

In this image the Light Blaster was used to project a simple circle of light onto the backdrop behind the model in this burlesque style shoot for a “stage” feel.  A “snoot” could be used to create a similar effect, however the Light Blaster gives the sharp clean edge, like a stage spotlight.

Photographs by Neil Creek http://www.neilcreek.com

Using a random geometric pattern on one of the supplied effect slides of the Light Blaster and a smoke machine you can create light beams.  The shafts of light you see wouldn’t be possible with a single light. It needs to be broken up in order to cast shadows into the smoke.

Photographs by Neil Creek http://www.neilcreek.com

Autumn leaves projected directly onto the model and background creates an interesting layers of texture and shadow.  The shadow of the model’s face is filled with a tightly gridded flash to make his whole face visible. Projecting onto the model can be tricky to get right, but the results can be impressive.

Like all new equipment, you will need to use trial and error for the best effects and some experimentation to get the best placement of the image, your model and yourself. You might need to take several shots and make small adjustments each time.   It has been announced that a brand new set of laser-cut metal “slides” are being released for the Light Blaster.

With a good variety of effects slides available from the Light Blaster site, the ability to take any 35mm slide, and even home-printed acetate slides, there is literally unlimited creative potential. You can put any backdrop you like behind your subjects, and transport them to another world. Have a look at the Light Blaster site for more example photos. For under $100, this is a super versatile creative tool to add to your kit. http://www.light-blaster.com

Posted by Alex