PHOTOGRAPH LIKE A THIEF Glyn Dewis www.glyndewis.com Editor: Jocelyn Howell Project manager: Lisa Brazieal Marketing coordinator: Mercedes Murray Interior design, layout, and type: WolfsonDesign Cover graphics, interior graphics, and title font: Dave Clayton Cover design: Dave Clayton Lighting diagrams throughout the book created with Sylights software ISBN: 978-1-68198-182-6 1st Edition (1st printing, April 2017) © 2017 Glyn Dewis Rocky Nook Inc. 1010 B Street, Suite 350 San Rafael, CA 94901 USA www.rockynook.com Distributed in the U.S. by Ingram Publisher Services Distributed in the UK and Europe by Publishers Group UK Library of Congress Control Number: 2016941045 All rights reserved. No part of the material protected by this copyright notice may be reproduced or utilized in any form, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission of the publisher. Many of the designations in this book used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks of their respective companies. Where those designations appear in this book, and Rocky Nook was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed in caps or initial caps. All product names and services identified throughout this book are used in editorial fashion only and for the benefit of such companies with no intention of infringement of the trademark. They are not intended to convey endorsement or other affiliation with this book. While reasonable care has been exercised in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein or from the use of the discs or programs that may accompany it. This book is printed on acid-free paper. Printed in China This book is dedicated to my wonderful brother, Liam. Being back in each other’s lives after such a terribly long time has shown how big of a hole we both had in our hearts, a hole that has now well and truly been filled. I’m so incredibly proud to see the man, husband, and father you’ve become. I love you. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Anne: You give me reason to keep on keeping on, and having you beside me on this journey makes me feel like the luckiest man alive. You’re my world and I love you more than I can possibly explain! xxx Liam and Bev: We’ve missed so many years with each other, but thankfully that has now changed. Every day I feel truly blessed that we are all back in each other’s lives. Shannon, Will, and Ben: To be your uncle is the gift that keeps on giving. We love you all so very much and are always here for you. Raising a glass to the future, Uncle Glyn and Aunty Anne xxx Will: I’ll never be able to thank you enough for bringing our family back together. What you did was so incredibly brave. You stepped into the unknown and I’m so glad you did. Uncle Glyn xxx Dave Clayton: It’s hard to believe how many great times we’ve had and how much has happened in such a short span of time. Thanks for everything, buddy. You’re one in a million and I’ll be forever thankful that Scott had a hunch we’d get on and should meet. How right was he?!?! Looking forward to what’s ahead. Scott Kelby: Guv’nor, what can I say that I haven’t found myself saying so many times over the past years? Friendship, advice, guidance, support, and trust. To say thank you just doesn’t come close, but I think you know what I mean and how much. Alan Hess: You are, without a doubt, one of life’s great people! I just wish we could hang out more often. Always good times, always a laugh. I’m proud to have you as a friend. Joel Grimes: You’ll never know how much you have and continue to inspire, educate, and motivate me to be the best “me” I can be. You set the standard and to have both Amy and you as friends is the icing on the cake. Scott Cowlin & Ted Waitt, a.k.a. the Dynamic Duo (Rocky Nook): Thank you for hearing me out and helping to bring the pages we have in our hands to reality. Your professionalism and creativity is second to none. I’ll be forever grateful. Jocelyn Howell (Rocky Nook): You’ve made writing this book a dream, thanks to your keen eye and pride in the end product. The pleasure has most definitely been mine. Thank you. Jessica Tiernan (Rocky Nook): Thank you so much for all the support and promotion along the way. Writing this book really has been a fun journey. Barry Payne: You epitomise what being a friend is all about and if everyone had you in their life, theirs would be so much better for it. Aaron Blaise: Damn, I wish we lived closer! Our “brother from another mother.” I feel blessed that this industry has brought us together. Brian Worley: If anyone can, Brian can. Thank you so much, mate, for your constant support and friendship. Moose Peterson: I could sit and talk with you for literally hours! From your closing presentations at Photoshop World to your personal projects, I’m constantly moved by the emotion you are able to bring to your work. Steven Cook: Dedicated, talented, professional, and loyal are just some of the many words I use to describe you. It’s a pleasure to know you and to be your friend. Jesús Ramirez: You have talent in abundance and you’re a bloomin’ nice guy, too. Welcome to the gang, brother. The Flash Centre / Elinchrom: Thank you so much for the constant ongoing support. Working with you and your kick a$$ gear makes my creative life so much easier. Loxley Colour (Ian, Calum, Ashley, and all . . .): You folks ROCK! ‘nuff said! Adobe, 3Legged Thing, CRU & CHNO Technology, Phottix, Wacom, TetherTools, Rogue, Benq, Topaz, and all: Your vision and drive to create the very best “tool” leaves me forever in your debt. Mark “The Markster” Armstrong: You truly are a top fella! Thanks as always for looking in. Austin Kleon: You don’t know me from Adam, but should you, in a bizarre twist of fate, ever happen to read this, thank you! Your books are AWESOME and have had a huge impact on me and how I work. And finally, a HUGE thanks to everyone who has stood in front of my camera and put their trust in me, without which I wouldn’t be typing the words for the pages in this book. CONTENTS Foreword Introduction 1 PHOTOGRAPH LIKE A THIEF Developing a Personal Style Copying Others Finding Inspiration Learning from the Process 2 REVERSE ENGINEERING 3 GEAR TALK Camera Studio Lighting Small Flash Small Flash Modifiers Tripod Tether Tools Light Meter File Backup System Monitor Pen and Graphics Tablet Plugins Printing Lab 4 MY COMMONLY USED TECHNIQUES Invisible Black Background Colorizing Contrast Dodge & Burn Skin Smoothing Selections & Cutouts – Tutorial 1 Selections & Cutouts – Tutorial 2 Amazing Eyes Building Depth Frequency Separation Cartoon or Painterly Effect 5 ANNIE LEIBOVITZ INSPIRED Reverse Engineering The Setup Camera Settings Gear Guide Small Flash Gear Guide Post-Processing 6 INTERNET INSPIRED Reverse Engineering Camera Settings Gear Guide Post-Processing 7 JOEY LAWRENCE INSPIRED Reverse Engineering The Setup Camera Settings Gear Guide Small Flash Gear Guide Post-Processing 8 WORLD WAR II INSPIRED The Setup Camera Settings Gear Guide Small Flash Gear Guide Post-Processing 9 ACTION MOVIE INSPIRED Reverse Engineering The Setup Camera Settings Gear Guide Post-Processing 10 NICK BRANDT INSPIRED Camera Settings Gear Guide Post-Processing 11 MOVIE POSTER INSPIRED Reverse Engineering The Setup Camera Settings Gear Guide Small Flash Gear Guide Post-Processing 12 BOOK COVER INSPIRED Reverse Engineering The Setup Camera Settings Gear Guide Small Flash Gear Guide Post-Processing 13 MOVIE POSTER INSPIRED II Reverse Engineering The Setup Camera Settings Gear Guide Post-Processing 14 GROUP SHOT – K.I.S.S. INSPIRED The Setup Camera Settings Gear Guide Small Flash Gear Guide Post-Processing