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ctfchallenge | all galleries >> Challenge 107 - The Month of May >> C107 - Eligible > 7th place
Break time by Deo P.
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015-MAY-2006 Deo P.

7th place
Break time by Deo P.

The month of May is usually when people in my country prepare for the typhoon season which starts in June. This is a photo of one of the carpernters working at my Mom's roof taking a nap during his break.

Canon EOS 350D
1/60s f/5.0 at 38.0mm iso400 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time07-May-2006 16:36:24
MakeCanon
ModelCanon EOS 350D DIGITAL
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length38 mm
Exposure Time1/60 sec
Aperturef/5
ISO Equivalent400
Exposure Bias-0.67
White Balance (-1)
Metering Modematrix (5)
JPEG Quality (6)
Exposure Programshutter priority (2)
Focus Distance

other sizes: small medium original auto
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alexeig22-May-2006 15:08
Very painterly, it looks like the middle of 19th century of European painting. Great light. Great PS work, it have made me realize once more how much I have to learn
ctfchallenge21-May-2006 16:55
wow! impressive! -Abstract
Guest 20-May-2006 10:55
I did wonder how you achieved that great lighting :-) Thanks for sharing your technique, Deo! /Oved
ctfchallenge20-May-2006 09:47
No worries CJ. Will post the original, unprocessed photo after the challenge. :-)

Deo P.
ctfchallenge20-May-2006 06:12
Great image Deo, and very good PP - thanks for the details. I don't have CS2 but I'd like to try your method in PS "Elements". I'd be interested in seeing the original to see how your method improved the image. Would you post it after the challenge? Thanks! :-) CJ
ctfchallenge20-May-2006 01:55
Not sure if this is post-processed...didnt read the comments below...love the lighting here...a real classic. - RK
Brent 18-May-2006 23:08
Very nice image- looks like a National Geographic shot. I can only hope I find the time to master CS2 the way you obviously have. Great work Deo!
aam1234 18-May-2006 04:41
Thank you Deo very much for the detailed explanation. While I didn't understand a word you said :) I'll copy & paste your tutorial for future reference since I'm going through PSE 4.0 book (practicing layers now) and planning to take a PS course in the near future.

Again, thanks a ton.
janewigginsphotography18-May-2006 04:25
ummm you sharpened first? interesting technique. jano
ctfchallenge18-May-2006 04:13
Thanks guys for the comments.

the processing is a bit tricky but if you are willing to read on, then here it goes:

In camera settings:

1. Parameter settings should be all at neutral or "0". This will give you enough room during PP. Increasing sharpness, contrast and saturation in the camera will result to a more pixelated photo which will be really a pain once you start PP;

2. I used PS CS2. I made several layesr of this photo which are as follows:
a. Sharpened
b. Desaturated
c. Hi-Curve ( overexposed )
d. Low Curve ( Underexposed )
3. Using layer masks, I brushed off some parts ( opacity set at 20% ) to come up with good lighting for the photo. Make sure that you have an imaginary light source while brushing, that will help in figuring out which parts to brush off.

4. Flatten the image.

5. Duplicate the flattened layer again and name the new layer "Color Balance".

6. Adjust the color balance of the new layer to make it dominated by "green". Be careful not to "overgreen" the photo.

7. Create a layer mask for the "greened" photo and start brushing off the parts you don't want to appear "dead".

8. Once you are satisfied with the lighting and color, flatten the image.

9. Adjust contrast of the flatten image to your taste.

10. Save as *.psd to keep a record of the adjustments, as *.jpeg to save for web.

That's it. It may appear very complicated at first but when you get the hang of it, it will work wonders. Good luck!:-)

God bless you guys!

Deo P.
janewigginsphotography17-May-2006 02:23
Very moody image, almost painting like. Great job. jano
aam1234 16-May-2006 14:17
Excellent! You have to tell us Deo how you achieved those details and color.
Britt 16-May-2006 13:36
I didn't see the other version, but this one works wonders.
ctfchallenge15-May-2006 14:17
Good colors in this one.
--Mary Anne
Rod 15-May-2006 11:05
Fantastic Deo I love the tone of this, well done mate:-)
ctfchallenge15-May-2006 10:01
There! I hope that looks better. :-) Deo P.
ctfchallenge15-May-2006 09:58
Now that you've mentioned it Rod, I will have to agree with you. I'll look for the colored version and will post it instead of this one. :-) Deo P.
Rod 15-May-2006 09:52
You are doing some terrific work with your camera Deo & I see what you were trying to do here & I like it. But you're going way too far with your processing, you have made this look like a dead body mate. His right leg looks really dodgy & the face & arm makes it look like he's bin dead for three weeks:-)