Post Production Hair Light Help

stopper

Hi All;

Name's Yechial & I'm a Children Portrait Photographer ( I do product photography as well).

I'm still kind of new at it & could use some help (especially in PS) every now & then.

So here's my first share, or rather advice request.

I have this cute image that I shot of a little 9 mnth old boy who was pratically all over the studio. Setting up a hair light was totally not an option with his liveliness. I still would like to have some sort of hair light effect separating the subject from the background. Is it possible to do that in Post Production?

Here's the image, comments, & critique are always welcome. If somebody would like the full res file to work on please let me know.

Thanks,
Yechial
www.orgelphotography.com

D3Sshooter

I do believe that this kind of effects is best done during the shoot, not afterwards. Although it is possible to work with filters like NIK software to create reflector panel effects and other light effects. In CS-5 you will find all kid of light effects. But nothing beats the real thing.

Here is what I do:

I have a very small (250W) handheld flash-unit with a snoot, an assisted has it in his hand and aims at the target (accent light). If the target moves, he/she follows. Its that easy. Works great for hairlights.

A rim light is a bit more difficult but works as well , the reason is that it has to come from the back. In most cases I have the assistan flat on the belly behind the model. It might take a bit of work. But if the model is on a table or in a chair then that is not an issue.

ziggy53

stopper wrote: »

... I still would like to have some sort of hair light effect separating the subject from the background. Is it possible to do that in Post Production?

...

Possible? Yes, it's possible. Whether you find it practical or worthwhile depends on your experience working with Photoshop and how much time you want to put into the image.

I would start by clipping the subject from the background. Once the subject is unique you should be able to digitally add whatever lighting effects you wish, just as in the original setting. You will be basically "painting" the effect onto the subject.

The following links may help:

https://www.google.com/#pq=pentax+q&hl=en&cp=34&gs_id=45&xhr=t&q=photoshop+separating+subject+from+background&tok=Z9uFSVKCg9FERC1y2Yo6Hg&pf=p&sclient=psy-ab&source=hp&pbx=1&oq=photoshop+separating+subject+from+&aq=0v&aqi=g-v1&aql=&gs_sm=&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=6017915d9066490&biw=1111&bih=537

http://www.3datadesign.com/gallery/eng/tutorial_3dlight.php

stopper

thanks guys. I appreciate your help.