how does he process like this? - thomas prior

[rphenning]

Hi everyone. Dunno where I would post this...considered under "computer software" but it seems too general interest for that. If this is an inappropriate place let me know or move it please? Anyways. . .

One of my favorite photographers is Thomas Prior. I know he uses film because he states so and I have seen some of the rolls he shoots blah blah blah. I just would like to see if anyone can reverse engineer his processing techniques? His blog site is:

http://thomasprior.blogspot.com/

I know he uses fill flash but there is something else going on in his photos that give it a punch while still retaining a look of film in my opinion.

Just curious if anyone a lot sharper in photoshop could help me out figuring out his technique?

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Add contrast with a curves adjustment. This increases saturation quite a bit, looking unnatural, so you then do a hue/saturation adjustment and dial down the saturation a bit.

Punchy contrast with the natural colors of film!

 

[Ranchu]

Could be curving the lightness channel in lab mode, maybe...?

 

[rphenning]

damn. I might have to graduate from elements to CS or something....or maybe just shoot my own way and admire his style but not emulate it.

 

[Ranchu]

Actually, the more I look at it the more it looks like portra NC, with little if any photoshop?

 

[J. Borger]

If you want to get there from digital instead of film it should be pretty easy to simulate with a plugin that simulates films from velvia to polaroid like "Alien Skin exposure". You need not be a wizzard to do that.
But you need full CS , a $200 plugin and some time to fiddle around 😉

 

[rphenning]

I would rather quit taking photos than willingly use a digital camera for my own work haha.

I know he shoots 400h ( I sound like a stalker, jeez 🙁)...and that is similar (?) to 400nc.