magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

He's weary but he's won and he's watching the last of the enemy scarper into the distance...he's still tense. Behind him a gunner is looking for help for his wounded mate. The Brunswicker will drum some up as soon as he becomes aware of his surrounds, at the moment his mind is full of close combat.

A composite of my photos - the Brunswicker by invitation and the other figures are militia at a local event. The background is a local beach. If you leave critique I do appreciate it.

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UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

You can see the toll the battle took, David!

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thanks Mike. I’ve actually smartened him up a bit, I don’t think he’d appreciate me showing how he really looked at the shoot!

NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

Good one Dave. I think I may have missed the gunner if you had not mentioned him in your description.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thanks Frank. Ah, that’s why I mentioned him!

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Another great one Dave. Did you use a fog brush to create the smoke? Could you give me a tip or two on how you so effectively ground your subjects? Mine still seem to be floating over the ground

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Hi Jack, yes I used a ‘cloud’ brush for the fog. You can make them, find free ones by Google search or buy them. This is a Nucly.com atmosphere brush. I think Linda has a tut on brush making if you look in the freebies for this section.
Grounding folk is sometimes easier than other times. You can do several layers starting with a shadow made from the figure itself then distorted, then more layers extending and softening - a lot of palaver! I simply put a new layer under the figure layer and start with a hardish brush immediately adjacent to the feet - and make sure you paint under the feet area too. Then, using a softer brush extend in the direction that fits. Remember shadows will soften and become lighter as they extend away from the figure. Use more than one layer to avoid messing up something that already looks good. Finish off with a layer on top of the figure layer and attend to the edges of the feet as appropriate. Don’t just use a black brush - sometimes that’s fine but mostly it’s better to pick the colour from an existing shadow area of the figure - or at least use it as a starting point and darken if necessary. To pick the colour, hold down alt or option and click on the area. Change it to a darker version if necessary by clicking on the colour tab in the toolbar and move the selected point into a darker portion of the colour palette. Hope this helps!

lnl Loc: SWFL

This is great info. Thank you. I’m not ready to try what you do yet, but I see value in your instruction even for realistic photos. Okay, not the right word (realistic) as yours above is also realistic given the time period. However, I don’t think you were there to shoot it as you’ve given us the narrative indicating otherwise!

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Yes, a shadow is a shadow no matter what period Ellen. I hope you do find it useful but if you want to see the pro way there are lots of tuts online. Don’t forget to post something here when you do have a go!

PaulG Loc: Western Australia

A very thought-provoking shot; so well done. It does (however) have a slightly cut-out look, to me - particularly above the skyline. You've picked a difficult subject with a fair bit of detail and a great story to tell and the overall effect is impressive. It still has that slightly "static/posed" feel to me, so maybe a bit more grunge might disguise that slightly. Of course this is all very subjective; personal viewpoints and all. I can almost imagine this as one of those "Masters" paintings in a gallery; so you have certainly captured that essence. Love it.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thanks for the critique Paul, I agree with what you say. The overly ‘cut-out’ effect is due in part to the dark colour of the uniform, exaggerated in the sky area due to increased contrast I think. Not so easy to get the edges right either.
My man was a rather rigid poser despite being a keen reenactor who loves having his photo taken. It is usually the great thing with these guys, they’re generally very pleased to be posing. I asked him to look a bit more dynamic whilst shooting but it wasn’t to be! As it is, there was quite a bit of work involved to get the pose this far, it’s a composite within itself. I’m happy enough with the result - and so’s the fella himself, which is important, but I will look again at those edges, it’s all good experience. Thanks again for a helpful critique.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Very nice. Good story and the individual elements work nicely together.
Erich

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thanks Erich, glad you like it.