Creative post-production

Mark Galer

Many creative photographs are not the product of a single exposure but the result of several exposures, which when combined create an abstract or realistic outcome. To create a realistic outcome the photographer must carefully consider the post-production techniques that can be utilized when preparing to capture the component images. Lighting must be of a consistent quality, color temperature and direction throughout the component images and the shadows of a subject must be considered as these will need to be rendered realistically if the final outcome is to be believable. All too often a photographer will carefully capture the subject only to forget to pay attention to the subject’s shadow.

Preserving the original shadow in a montage

If all of the subject’s shadow is captured and the shadow falls over a smooth surface, it can be preserved in post-production and placed over the new background using the ‘Multiply’ blend mode. This post-production technique provides photographers burdened with a meticulous eye a useful way of retaining and transplanting subtle and complex shadows. Observe the subtle shadow cast by the leaf in the illustration above. The primary reason for not being able to use this technique is when the shadow falls over a surface that has a different texture to the one in the new location.

Mark Galer

Creating a shadow

If it is not possible to preserve the original shadow of the subject, due to the fact that it is falling over a diff erent surface texture to the new host image, then the photographer could consider taking the following action. Capturing a second image of the subject from the direction of the light source will allow the photographer to create a more accurate shadow than simply using the outline of the subject as seen from the camera angle. Th is second image can be used as a resource shape for the subject’s shadow when the montage is assembled in the image-editing software.

Activity 4

Create a composite image or ‘montage’ where the subject casts a shadow over its new background. Use either one of the two post-production techniques outlined here to create the fi nal result.