The Thinker?

Paul IddonPaul Iddon Registered Users Posts: 5,129 Major grins
edited February 13, 2016 in Other Cool Shots
I think this chimp is called Nikki. I painted the background to black using the Camera Raw filter in Photoshop CC, and added a duplex layer to get the colouration, and I like how the monochromatic conversion has worked. A study in... Rest? Tiredness? Despair? Embarrassment? The Thinker?

You decide...

ISO 1/200 | f/4 | ISO 100


oldmonkeysquareduplex-X2.jpg


Paul.


Link to my personal website: http://www.pauliddon.co.uk






Comments

  • CavalierCavalier Registered Users Posts: 3,030 Major grins
    edited February 3, 2016
    I find his pose very peaceful. I find the shot and your post-processing exceptional. clap.gifclap
    (and I'd like to hear a little more about how you painted the background in Camera Raw)
  • Paul IddonPaul Iddon Registered Users Posts: 5,129 Major grins
    edited February 3, 2016
    Cavalier wrote: »
    I find his pose very peaceful. I find the shot and your post-processing exceptional. clap.gifclap
    (and I'd like to hear a little more about how you painted the background in Camera Raw)

    Thank you Jo thumb.gif


    The editing is done by loading into Photoshop, and then CTRL+SHIFT+A to open up Camera Raw Filter.

    Now press the K key to select the adjustment brush (+ or - to change the brush size as required).

    I set exposure at -2, contrast -60, shadows -30, and blacks -90, in the sliders menu, but you need to experiment with these to get the best results. Begin by painting the background down to close to your subject. Once you have done that, click NEW to start off again with a new brush and repeat as often as required. You need to take care at the edge of the subject as you need to just start to hide the edge of the subject to keep the gradation soft.

    When done, send back to PS and save.


    Paul.


    Link to my personal website: http://www.pauliddon.co.uk






  • StumblebumStumblebum Registered Users Posts: 8,480 Major grins
    edited February 3, 2016
    Great shot Paul!
  • Paul IddonPaul Iddon Registered Users Posts: 5,129 Major grins
    edited February 3, 2016
    Stumblebum wrote: »
    Great shot Paul!

    Thanks SB :ivar

    Paul.


    Link to my personal website: http://www.pauliddon.co.uk






  • toragstorags Registered Users Posts: 4,615 Major grins
    edited February 3, 2016
    Excellent Paul... thumb.gif
    Rags
  • JuanoJuano Registered Users Posts: 4,878 Major grins
    edited February 3, 2016
    Interesting shot and process, sound like a lot of work!
  • Paul IddonPaul Iddon Registered Users Posts: 5,129 Major grins
    edited February 3, 2016
    torags wrote: »
    Excellent Paul... thumb.gif
    Juano wrote: »
    Interesting shot and process, sound like a lot of work!

    Thanks Rags, thanks Cristobal - it didn't take very long to do.

    Paul.


    Link to my personal website: http://www.pauliddon.co.uk






  • sarasphotossarasphotos Registered Users Posts: 3,822 Major grins
    edited February 3, 2016
    Lovely shot - I love the way you've caught the light and expression. Really touching.

    Cheers, Sara
  • Paul IddonPaul Iddon Registered Users Posts: 5,129 Major grins
    edited February 3, 2016
    Lovely shot - I love the way you've caught the light and expression. Really touching.

    Cheers, Sara

    Thank you Sara :)

    Paul.


    Link to my personal website: http://www.pauliddon.co.uk






  • CavalierCavalier Registered Users Posts: 3,030 Major grins
    edited February 3, 2016
    Thanks Paul - I use Camera Raw now and then, but have never used it for this. I'll give it a try!
  • Paul IddonPaul Iddon Registered Users Posts: 5,129 Major grins
    edited February 3, 2016
    Cavalier wrote: »
    Thanks Paul - I use Camera Raw now and then, but have never used it for this. I'll give it a try!

    You're welcome Jo.

    Paul.


    Link to my personal website: http://www.pauliddon.co.uk






  • CCoopCCoop Registered Users Posts: 511 Major grins
    edited February 3, 2016
    Those hands! What a treasure! --Carter
  • Paul IddonPaul Iddon Registered Users Posts: 5,129 Major grins
    edited February 4, 2016
    CCoop wrote: »
    Those hands! What a treasure! --Carter


    Thank you Carter.

    Paul


    Link to my personal website: http://www.pauliddon.co.uk






  • RichardRichard Administrators, Vanilla Admin Posts: 19,893 moderator
    edited February 4, 2016
    Great capture and fine processing. I think he may be contemplating the American elections.
  • EiaEia Registered Users Posts: 3,627 Major grins
    edited February 4, 2016
    I have looked at this a few times. Really like your work on this; color and background. But the subject is so .. well...deep! Bravo!!!iloveyou.gif
  • Paul IddonPaul Iddon Registered Users Posts: 5,129 Major grins
    edited February 4, 2016
    Richard wrote: »
    Great capture and fine processing. I think he may be contemplating the American elections.
    Eia wrote: »
    I have looked at this a few times. Really like your work on this; color and background. But the subject is so .. well...deep! Bravo!!!iloveyou.gif

    Thanks both thumb.gif

    Paul.


    Link to my personal website: http://www.pauliddon.co.uk






  • R.JayR.Jay Registered Users Posts: 974 Major grins
    edited February 4, 2016
    I agree with Eia (and others) on this shot. It is a stunning study of a primate. In my opinion, the most evocative shot on Dgrin so far in 2016 - I think it will be hard to beat. You should send it to National Geographic magazine.

    Cheers, Richard.
  • Paul IddonPaul Iddon Registered Users Posts: 5,129 Major grins
    edited February 5, 2016
    R.Jay wrote: »
    I agree with Eia (and others) on this shot. It is a stunning study of a primate. In my opinion, the most evocative shot on Dgrin so far in 2016 - I think it will be hard to beat. You should send it to National Geographic magazine.

    Cheers, Richard.

    Thanks Richard - it was captive so I doubt NG would be interested. thumb.gif

    Paul.


    Link to my personal website: http://www.pauliddon.co.uk






  • DogdotsDogdots Registered Users Posts: 8,795 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2016
    One does wonder what he/she is thinking. Great work thumb.gif
  • Paul IddonPaul Iddon Registered Users Posts: 5,129 Major grins
    edited February 12, 2016
    Dogdots wrote: »
    One does wonder what he/she is thinking. Great work thumb.gif

    Thank you Mary thumb.gif

    Paul.


    Link to my personal website: http://www.pauliddon.co.uk






  • TonyCooperTonyCooper Registered Users Posts: 2,276 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2016
    Paul Iddon wrote: »
    Thank you Jo thumb.gif


    The editing is done by loading into Photoshop, and then CTRL+SHIFT+A to open up Camera Raw Filter.

    Now press the K key to select the adjustment brush (+ or - to change the brush size as required).

    I set exposure at -2, contrast -60, shadows -30, and blacks -90, in the sliders menu, but you need to experiment with these to get the best results. Begin by painting the background down to close to your subject. Once you have done that, click NEW to start off again with a new brush and repeat as often as required. You need to take care at the edge of the subject as you need to just start to hide the edge of the subject to keep the gradation soft.

    When done, send back to PS and save.


    Paul.

    Excellent and useful mini-tutorial! I tried it on an image, and it works a treat.
    Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida
    http://tonycooper.smugmug.com/
  • Paul IddonPaul Iddon Registered Users Posts: 5,129 Major grins
    edited February 13, 2016
    TonyCooper wrote: »
    Excellent and useful mini-tutorial! I tried it on an image, and it works a treat.

    Cool Tony thumb.gif

    Paul.


    Link to my personal website: http://www.pauliddon.co.uk






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