HOW I made these PORTRAITS: Complete Workflow including PHOTOGRAPHY, LIGHTROOM and PHOTOSHOP

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will walk through the complete workflow for creating stunning portraits, as demonstrated by Glyn Dewis. We will cover everything from the equipment used to the photography setup, followed by editing techniques in Lightroom and Photoshop. Whether you are a novice or an experienced photographer, this guide will help you enhance your portrait photography skills and editing techniques.

Step 1: Gather Your Equipment

Before starting your portrait session, ensure you have the right gear. Glyn uses the following equipment:

• Westcott FJ80 II Speedlite
• Westcott FJ-X3 Trigger
• Westcott Rapid Box Switch Beauty Dish
• Westcott 32" 2-in-1 Reflector
• Westcott X-Drop Pro
• Glyn Dewis Vintage Gray Background

Practical Tips

• Familiarize yourself with each piece of equipment before the shoot.
• Ensure your batteries are charged and backups are available.

Step 2: Set Up Your Shooting Environment

Create an ideal setup for your portrait shoot.

1. Choose a Background: Use a simple, non-distracting background like the vintage gray background.
2. Lighting Arrangement:
   • Position your main light source, like the Speedlite, at a 45-degree angle to your subject.
   • Use a reflector to bounce light back onto the subject’s face for softer shadows.
3. Camera Settings:
   • Set your camera to a low ISO for reduced noise.
   • Use a wide aperture (f/2.8 or wider) for a shallow depth of field.

Common Pitfalls

• Avoid cluttered backgrounds that can distract from your subject.
• Make sure your lighting direction is consistent to prevent harsh shadows.

Step 3: Capture Your Portraits

When taking photos, focus on:

• Framing: Ensure your subject is well-framed within the shot.
• Expression: Engage with your subject to capture genuine expressions.
• Focus: Always focus on the eyes, as they are crucial for impactful portraits.

Practical Tips

• Take multiple shots to ensure you have a variety of expressions and angles.
• Experiment with different poses and compositions.

Step 4: Edit in Lightroom

After capturing your images, import them into Lightroom for initial adjustments.

1. Basic Adjustments:
   • Adjust exposure, contrast, and white balance.
   • Make use of the tone curve for refined adjustments.
2. Enhance Eyes:
   • Use the adjustment brush to brighten the eyes and add catchlights.

Practical Tips

• Use shortcuts to speed up your editing process.
• Consider creating presets for consistency across your portraits.

Step 5: Advanced Editing in Photoshop

For more detailed retouching, move your images to Photoshop.

1. Dodging and Burning:

   • Create a new layer set to "Soft Light".
   • Use a soft brush to lighten (dodge) or darken (burn) areas for depth.

   - Lighten areas you want to highlight.
   - Darken areas to create shadows and contours.
   

2. 2010 Technique:

   • Enhance the overall image quality by using high-pass filters for sharpening.

3. Fake Depth of Field:

   • Use the lens blur filter to simulate a shallow depth of field in specific areas.

Common Pitfalls

• Avoid over-editing, which can make portraits look unnatural.
• Always keep a backup of the original image for reference.

Step 6: Final Touches

1. Reduce Skin Reddening:

   • Use the selective color tool to adjust reds in the skin tones.

   - Reduce the saturation of reds to achieve a more natural look.
   

2. Add a Portrait Glow:

   • Apply a slight Gaussian blur around the edges to create a soft glow effect.

3. Shaping the Light:

   • Adjust shadows and highlights to enhance the overall lighting.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can create beautiful portraits that stand out. Start with the right equipment, set up your shooting environment thoughtfully, and master your editing techniques in Lightroom and Photoshop. As you practice, you’ll develop a workflow that works best for your style. Happy shooting!