Before and After
Before and after
Retouched images can often be comprised of hundreds of photographed, created, 3D-modelled and painted elements. Most of them, however, start with some basic building blocks. Here you can see what I started with and how the images looked at time of publication. Drag the central slider to reveal more of a particular state.
Percy at the Grand Canyon
I did a series of these images, assembled from a variety of stock shots showing Percy the CIBC's intrepid penquin traveling the world.
Aircraft Cockpit
I first removed the existing flight crew by covering them with a new instrument panel. I then put in a new copilot, gave him the Welcome Mat and created a whole new left side of the cockpit in a 3D program to further obscure the old pilot and the chair on which he sat.
Bacardi Billboard
The client wanted a darker makeup bottle and applicator than that which had been shot. Seeing as the originals were glass-like I chose to illustrate the replacements in 3D rather than try to retouch them. The originals were used as rough guides.
Percy in the south seas
I did a series of these images, assembled from a variety of stock shots showing Percy the CIBC penquin traveling. In this case I had to rebuild parts of the boat on which he was traveling as well as ensuring his safety by wrapping him in a penguin-sized life jacket.
Sailboat
The photographer had shot a well saturated colour image of the girl piloting the yacht. I needed something a lot more muted that reflected the client's blue/green colour scheme. After desaturation I shifted the colours of some elements and removed the weathering in the sails and hull.
Percy in Egypt
I did a series of these images, assembled from a variety of stock shots showing Percy the CIBC penquin traveling. The camel was originally seated so I had to move the legs ta bit, dress and relight Percy and build a very wide desert (only a portion of which can be seen here)
Percy at the Airport
I did a series of these images, assembled from a variety of stock shots showing Percy the CIBC penquin traveling. I built the tarmac in a 3D model, revised the aircraft and completely revamped the perspective on the luggage.
Newspaper to digital: Front Door
Third of three base images into which I inserted a shot of a newspaper and a tablet featuring a digital version of the same paper. This was done for 10 newspapers in the chain and destined for everything from transit boards to digital banner ads.
Model retouch
Portions of the image were resized; the hands and the compact. Also I did a fair amount of tonal work to put the emphasis back on the face as well as minor blemish removal, creating the smile and opening her eye.
Newspaper to digital: Coffee
One of three base images into which I inserted a shot of a newspaper and a tablet featuring a digital version of the same paper. This was done for 10 newspapers in the chain and destined for everything from transit boards to digital banner ads.
CTFS Helmet and Kettle
A couple of images in a series of 16 that I worked on for this project. The art director wanted a very smooth, almost fake look to these images. Full tonal range, full detail but minimal reflection. It was an interesting challenge.
Temptation cover
We had a lovely shot of a New York park in summer. Unfortunately, the image was to be set in the Fall. I added leaves, changed the colours, shot and inserted the jacket, scarf and shopping bag.
Cannes meat map
For a map showing how "bigshots" might navigate the Cannes advertising awards I shot two steaks in a variety of positions and did a little bit of edge work. I then I used all of the images as the basis for a relatively accurate representation of the coast of Cannes in southern France.
Cannes bread map
For a map showing how "paupers" might navigate the Cannes advertising awards I shot a few slices of fresh bread. I also glued some crusts together and shot them for some of the more tricky coastline bits. I then I used all of the images as the basis for a relatively accurate representation of the coast of Cannes in southern France. The mould was added later.
All That You Are cover
The customer had a stock shot that he wanted to use but it needed a lot more image at the top so I went out and shot a new beach and the models for the foreground: spot the differences between the models and their reflection!
Bell gala gates
The art director wanted me to put some wrought iron gates on a park image. I created a flat version in Illustrator first and then produced all the elements needed to turn it into 3D. A fair amont of retouching was necessary on the park image too.
Arms Full of Love cover
In addition to shooting and retouching the blanket I had to float and move around some grasses, add sand and make adjustments to the skin textures the familiy. When I shot the blanket I had it draped across the backs of another family.
Walter's Logo Illustration
More of an illustration rather than a retouch. I started out with a good foundation: the art director's vector logo and used that as the basis for the geometry. The leather texture came in from some leather I had shot a few years ago. Most of the highlights were painted in with a small size brush in Photoshop.
Woman at Olympic event
I needed to replicate the type of lighting one might get on the slopes as this was to be an outdoor image. I shot it in the studio and then added embroidery later.
The Beach House cover
There is very little left of the original image as it was all skewed, moved or entirely replaced. The house on the hill came in from another photograph and the type was layered in at the last moment.