Wedding Photo Technique

Here I will be posting some wedding photo post processing tips I learned from the folks at FredMiranda.com...when I have some time I will try them out and post my before and afters.

Glow Technique -
Improves skin texture. Create a duplicate layer, and then set the blending mode to "screen". Then just add a a Gaussian Blur with a radius of 15 to 25 pixels. Also, you may need to reduce opacity and/or lower exposure, as it can blow highlights.

Fix Auto Levels -
If you go to Adjustments>Levels and then click options, change the clipping from 0.10 to 0.01 and also select the option to work on the greys. The big difference you will note is that when you do an auto levels the image will not change quite so much. you may need to adjust the image a little further using levels or curves but it should not change the colour of your image.

Motion Blur -
Two ways to do it. Filter>Blur>Motion Blur. Then use the history brush to remove the sections you don't wanted to blur. The other way is duplicating the layer, adding motion blur, and masking out undesired areas. I prefer this way because you have more control.

Vignettes made easy -
1. Circular or rectangular box with the marquee tool (M key) and select what you DON'T want to have the vignette, usually the subject.

2. Add a feather to that selection (Ctrl, Alt, D) and feather of 250 (depending on your image size, for 5D you need 250 and too bad thats as big as it gets).

3. Then invert your selection (Ctrl, Shift, I) and then make that a new layer (Ctrl, J). With this as a new layer, it's a non-destructive way to add a vignette, you'll see why you want it in a layer.

4. Adding the vignette. Now with that selection a new layer, you can alter it by using Ctrl L for your Levels, or your Curves (Ctrl M). I usually use curves, or sometimes I will make that new layer and put the blending mode as Multiply. Here's why it's important to make it a new layer:
-1. It's non-destructive to your image
-2. Your vignette selection will be there as the new layer. You can also desaturate or blur this new layer easier.
-3 (The most important, IMO) You can alter the vignette strength with your opacity slider. Change the opacity back and forth in a zip, much easier than doing it on the original image.

Experiment with multiple vignettes on one layer, and a technique shawn imploys with spotlights and other light additives. Be careful as you don't want to over-process a JPEG as it can destroy certain parts of it for good! That's why working with layers and masks is SOOO important, and makes changes a whole lot easier if you want to 'undo' a certain effect or lessen it.