I was approached by a client last September requesting a photoshoot with a spiritual and mystical feel. Living in rural Gloucestershire in the UK, I'm surrounded by the most gorgeous forest that has featured in many movies such as Merlin, Star Wars and Harry Potter. The perfect location for a mystical photoshoot!
I already had an idea in my head for one particular image I wanted to create. Using 20 meters of tulle fabric, that I had purchased and used on a previous project.
We set off in to the forest at sunrise to ensure the best lighting, as well as to avoid attracting an unwanted audience. (I am not a morning person so this was a challenge in itself!) The location I chose is a local beauty spot on a gorgeous lake, surrounded by trees. We walked the parameter of the lake, shooting as we strolled along and spotted different suitable backgrounds.
Among the first set of shots we took were the ones using the red fabric. I created the basis for my image in camera, and then the real magic happened post process in Photoshop.
I added some additional layers of fabric to my original image. Warping and liquifying the layer to work with curves of the original fabric, and create more movement within the image.
I then adjusted the colours and tones to create a warmer golden hour look. With the addition of some lens flare and smoke effect layers, set to a low opacity, and a dark vignette for a more atmospheric feel, that draws the eye in to the image.
The final touches were added to the model, along with some selective dodging and burning across the image, to create the final image.
I've laid out the before and after shots for your comparison, above.
Whilst I'm here, here are a couple more shots from the same photoshoot.
A little less work to be done on these two images, with the addition of a stormier sky, light and bokeh layers.
I've only photographed people outdoors a handful of times in my 8 year career as a photographer, as I'm usually studio based. It's a whole other ballgame not being able to create the light in the same way as I can in my studio, but I have to say I'm really loving it.
As always, all images and editing are my own. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did creating them.
