This week I created a progression video of some of our recent fantasy photos. The video shows the different elements and how they come together to make the final images.
If you’re interested in a fantasy photo please contact Dean (0438 775299 – dean@deanagar.com.au) or Karen 0402 230669.
The video below is in standard definition. A HD 720p version is on YouTube here (this will open a new browser window).
In my efforts to expand the fantasy folio I’ve done a lot of development with 3D rendering software recently and here is the latest addition.
The shot is of my long time collaborator, Angela. This was taken in 2007 but never used. The background was built in 3D software (Cinema 4D) and rendered out to a 9000 x 6000 pixel image.
These 2 images were combined to create the image below. If you want to be in a shot like this, just get in touch. Call Dean on 0438 775299 (dean@deanagar.com.au) or Karen 0402 230669.
Sydney having a problem or two
Wireframe of the 3D background and the original shot of Angela
Updates have been slow in coming to the blog lately as I have been so busy shooting.
One thing I am trying to fit in is experimenting with 3D rendered backgrounds. I used to do a lot of 3D rendered CGI illustration a few years ago and now the tools have evolved somewhat.
I wanted to see how CGI backgrounds can fit in to our fantasy shots but early tests with Cinema 4D indicate that fully realistic environments will be possible with a bit of hard work.
One idea we are working on is a Tudors King and Queen shot with a modern sexy edge to it. This requires some detailed costuming from Karen and some pretty nifty CGI from me. Then there is the small matter of the photography of course.
For creativity and possibilities we definitely live in exciting times. I wonder how far I can push it. Here’s the first test with a CGI background. It should keep getting better from here on in.
Final composited image
Rendered 3D image built and rendered in Cinema 4D
Original shot of Angela
Just finished this image and am very pleased with it. I shot Angela in 2 positions and joined them together in a mammoth Photoshop session.
Originally the idea was that Angela was biting herself but I’m not sure it’s that obvious that both figures are Angela but it still looks pretty cool.
Angela taking a bite out of Angela
Original image of Angela
Original image of Angela 2
Original background shot
For the Alinta shoot I wanted to have one of the shots in a larger environment and here is the result of the digital work.
The wallpaper was drawn in Photoshop, the frame was shot separately and the painting was an additional element, as was the image of the staircase. Here’s the original and the final shot.
Original Image
Final image in colour
Alternate with window added.
These days everyone has seen what can be done to a photograph using Photoshop. One of the things people don’t see is how tough it is to get the background and foreground to match up visually.
You can’t just stick a shot of person lit in the studio with a background shot under different lighting conditions. Both have to be blended and coloured to look like they were shot at the same time.
Here I was working on different backgrounds for a new shot to see what worked and what didn’t. The original shot is first and the retouched versions with different backgrounds follow.
The original image as it came off camera
This image uses a few separate elements. The elements are in the next shot
These are the separate elements that made up the next shot
A simple curtain background to highlight the foreground elements
A shot of a bookcase in the background gives the shot a different feel
An attempt to place Angela in a room from another shot
A 2nd attempt to place Angela in a room from another shot
Currently doing a lot of work with Angela Hill. Here’s a before and after example of a fantasy shot we did together.
There’s the final image and the original shots. The building I shot in February at Circular Quay, Sydney.
Final shot
Background shot at Circular Quay, Sydney.
Angela in the studio with 2 guns bought from K-Mart and sprayed gun metal grey
Even a great model like Ang can be helped by a little digital magic. These days, no shot goes out untouched, but also so many creative choices, as well as fixing flaws, exist once you have your original photo.
Here are 3 from Angela’s shoot that started good, and then got so much more interesting through digital manipulation. The idea is to get the ‘magazine’ that look so many people are looking for these days.
If you are looking for images to start your modeling folio, or to expand it, take a look at our model folio site here.
Angela Before
Angela After
Angela Before
Angela After
Angela Before
Angela After
Another digital manipulation that I did some time ago but again, here’s the source files. The Shot had to be done the garage as due to the size of the bike.
The shot of New York I took from the Brooklyn side of the bridge in May 2000 on Velvia film. The image of Chantell on the bike was shot on a Canon 5D Digital SLR in 2007.
Here’s the final shot and the elements.
Final image
Raw shot of the bike and Chantell
Original shot of New York shot on film in May 2000
Doing digital manipulation is a lot of fun.This is one I did some time back but here’s the working files too.
I was trying to do something with a high level of finish that had it’s inspiration in the likes of the movies 300 and Sin City.
Angela Hill and I started with the basic shot of Ang in the studio on a grey backdrop. That had make up by Sue McLaurin, leather by Steve Sax in Byron Bay, guns by KMart 
These were two cheesy looking orange guns that I sprayed gun metal grey and they looked pretty cool after that.
The background was a shot of New York and there are numerous smoke elements and other small touches that went into the whole thing. Here’s the original shots alongside the final image.
This is the final image
This is the studio shot of Ang, all ready to cut out.
The original shot of New York. This is after the lens distortion has been added.