Pre-visualization! Multiple exposures, layers and masks.

Recently I traveled just north of Jacksonville Florida.

To photograph a spot I have heard about for years, Talbot Island and little Talbot Island.

These two little Islands have lots of tranquil views that are like falling into dreams.

On Talbot Island there is a cliff with fallen trees right on the ocean.

A fantastic place to find that perfect image.

When I photograph my subjects I tend to work with multiple exposures, layers and masks.

This comes from years ago (before photoshop)  when I had to make pin registered masks in the darkroom to manipulate photographs into imagery.

Stop take a moment and look at what your about to take a picture of, think about it.

I know what and how I want an image to look like before I shoot it (pre-visualization).

So here is the image that I pre-visualized

I will show you the steps I had in mind to get it here.

I used two exposures in this image.

The base image.

(What it looked like at that moment)

The first step is to make a mask on the second exposure 

just showing the tree and rocks.

 

Here is what it looks like applied.

Levels adjustments were made on the tree layer

and base layer to bring it up to what I saw in my mind.

 

Here is what that looks like

A final vignette mask was made to complete the image.

Pre-Visualization is something I suggest everyone do.

Just clicking the shutter is a snapshot.

Manipulating it to what you see in your mind's eye is

Creating Imagery!

Getting the shot no mater what it takes.

Recently I was asked to shoot an outdoor architectural image on a day when I knew it would not be what they were asking for.

But I knew I could make it work by shooting multiple images and selectively merging them.

I started early in the morning 5:30 AM before sun up and worked with the engineers to find the correct lights to turn on and off for the correct base exposure.

First we will start with an image of the lights on the building and trees.

The next step is to add a layer mask to blend the correct exposure on the foreground foliage

Here is the mask.

 Here is what it looks like

.

The next step is to build a layer for the sky to show the sunrise as the client requested.

Here is the mask

 

Here is what it looks like

To finish it up we need to skew the image and
put the reflection of the sunrise in windows.
Make a few more adjustments as requested by the client.
 we're done!

I like the sky in the previous image but the client wanted this sky.
Always provide what the client wants!
You should show him some other options as well so he can make that educated decision.