Trying to figure out how this is done!

[creation]

http://carnevaleheights.zenfolio.com/p595648683/?photo=h2C9E5620#1060803781

I don't even know where to begin.

Thanks!

[SharLamb]

First you get a million dollar horse. . .

;)

Shar

who would also love to know how this is done, especially since I love horses...these shots are gorgeous

[Wendy]

My guess is that the background is a backdrop and the foreground a photograph then the two are blended together using a mask :)

Wendy

[vawitt]

You don't think they brought the horse into the studio and told him to say "cheese"? :D

These photos are gorgeous!

~Val in sunny IL

[Wendy]

Val ...

Now they could well have done :)

Wendy

[nkeevers]

I'm a big horse lover...and these photos are just awesome!

[creation]

I kind of thought they might be in a studio type setting also, but some of these horses are really kicking butt and no way could it be in a studio. I've been trying for several months on several forums to figure this out, or even get close, but not much luck.

I've got a couple shots I'd like to try this with but don't even know where to begin. In the horse world this could be a very big money maker! People who are horse crazy will feed their horses before themselves. :) (speaking from experience)

[Daviskw]

Hi there

I think it is some very good extraction work then adding texture to some smoke brushing.

Using something like THIS (http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1006&message=14196783) technique on the background.

Butch

[mcrow]

i'm with creation on this -

would be very suprised if these were done in a studio - some of the shadow work is inconsistent - zero shadows on close background where the horse has been 'blasted" with light in some areas - yet there is a "shadow" on the ground beneath the horse.

my 2 dollars says the backgrounds are heavily shopped in - some "appear" to be distorted versions of the actual ground material beneath the horses.

but these are hell pics that's for sure. I don't think you round these types up with a single sugarcube.

[Daviskw]

Hi there

I did an example for you to give you an idea how it could have been done. It is very simple and took me 10 minutes...with no talent...lol

I first made a selection of the horse to separate from the background.

Below this layer I inserted a blank layer and named it "Smoke Brush Layer"

I sampled a dark and light color from the foreground grass.

I loaded a set of Smoke brushes and filled the background with colored smoke that matches the grass.

I searched the web for some appropriate texture..desaturated it and placed it at the top of the pallet. I named mine " Texture in Overlay Mode" I changed this layers mode to overlay and reduced opacity. You should always try different modes to see the results..I tried soft light but liked overlay better in this case.

Finally I used some adjustment layers to adjust tone and luminosity. I used curves but levels would work just fine.

Not the best but it is easy this way and maybe it will give you some ideas.

Butch

Before

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1QHEz9zIysaH6NcyhC1hmbx2vl31al1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1QHEz9zIysaH6NcyhC1hmbx2vl31al1)

After

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/11fWTTGGVamOjSZnBj78Lkg8qj9IQn1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=11fWTTGGVamOjSZnBj78Lkg8qj9IQn1)

[elwoodsusanm]

This is very good Butch:) Can I ask where to get smoke brushes from please?
Sue

[Daviskw]

Hi Sue

I used Nagel Smoke 42 Brushes...HERE (http://creativemac.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=48530)is a site you can download them.

Butch

[elwoodsusanm]

Thank you:)
Sue

[Newtome]

You did a beautiful job Butch. Thanks for the brush link I can't wait to "play".
Elaine

[smiles]

Fantastic job, Butch!

[kathylfeeney]

Hi Sue

I used Nagel Smoke 42 Brushes...HERE (http://creativemac.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=48530)is a site you can download them.

Butch
I have tried to download the Nagel brushes but have had no luck. I also did a search for the 42 series. Do you know of anyplace else I can download this from?
Thanks

[kathylfeeney]

The site must have been down, I was just able to download the file.