Mimicking Steph Rey urban landscapes editing style

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

02/18/2008 05:49:45 AM · #1

I discovered the work of this guy, Stephan Rey that I quite like in particular with regards to urban landscapes.

Beyond the very subject of its photographs, I was trying to mimick its editing style.

Here's a first attempt. Critiques on my attempt, and general ideas on Stephane's editing style welcomed.

[thumb]648186[/thumb]

jhess77

Nikon D700

02/18/2008 07:46:24 PM · #2

comment on photo page. Also thanks for the heads up Stephan Rey.
cheers,

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

02/19/2008 05:56:36 AM · #3

thanks for the comment on the picture.
Re. his technique, or at least what I tried to emulate:
* Desat. In particular of the blue. need further analysis here, as his photos seem to have a sepia tone. Anyway, it is not always applied uniformly, you find here and there spots of colors that do not look desaturated at all.
* Very high contrast. I had among others to add a contrast layer at its maximum
* Selective dodge and burn. I tried a number of methods, including:
- applying selectively a curve filter where the curve was strongly bent up or down
- using a soft light layer with black/white touches
- applying the dodge (on the higlights) / burn (on the shadows) editing tools

any other idea welcomed...

gloda

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

02/19/2008 06:20:51 AM · #4

Look at those skies. The photographer was careful to get the pictures when the sky would add significant drama to the secene.
Other than that your list of processing steps seems close enough to me. Try and analyse exactly which areas the photographer chooses to dodge and burn.

Mephisto

Nikon Coolpix A

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

02/19/2008 06:26:57 AM · #5

HDR and LOTS of dodge&burn, a little TOO much for my taste though...
but the perspectives and views he chooses for his compositions are really awesome and a good inspiration!

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

02/19/2008 06:52:06 AM · #6

Originally posted by gloda:

Look at those skies.

quite true. Actually I think they are fake. The guy is a gaphist artist.

The sun is fake for sure. Does not match the shadows.

gloda

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

02/20/2008 05:16:00 AM · #7

I don't think they are fake, but they might indeed be taken from other photographs. Nothing stops you from doing the same though. I know that some photogs have a library with lots of skies just for cases like that.