Make your Photos look like the Movie 300 in 5 Steps!
300 is quickly becoming a huge blockbuster and fan favorite. I will show you how to make photos look like 300. Here’s how to take a normal portrait and turn it into something from the movie 300 - You can be from Sparta! All of this is done using Adobe Photoshop CS2, however you could probably accomplish it using the GIMP or something similar. Make your picture look like a 300 spartan. Your photo… can dine… in HELL!
Here’s a photo of the lovely Ms. Johansson I grabbed off the web.
Step 1:
Usually a photo like a JPEG shows the layer ‘Background’ and it is “locked”. So we want to create two copies of this ‘Background’ layer, by dragging it onto the New Layer icon in the Layers window. You should now have 3 identical layers that are visible (they have the “eye” icon to their left). Rename the top layer ‘desaturated’ and the middle layer ’sepia’. Now you may delete the ‘Background’ layer or simply make it not visible by clicking the “eye” icon beside it. For now, make the ‘desaturated’ layer not visible as well.
Step 2:
We now want to apply the sepia filter to out middle layer, so choose the Photo Filter option in the Adjustments menu. (Image > Adjustments > Photo Filter…)
Now choose Sepia from the drop down menu and drag the ‘Density’ slider to 100%
Step 3:
Now we want to get that intensity and “crushed blacks” look with tons of contrast. First we want to do Auto Contrast (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+L) and Auto Levels (Ctrl+Shift+L). Alternatively, you can choose these from the Image > Adjustments menu.
Next, we will tweak the levels slightly to achieve the look we want. Drag the leftmost slider in about 5-10% and move the middle slider over to the right slightly. You can always see the preview and adjust as necessary. The Input levels listed above the graph start at 0, 1.00, 255. As you can see mine is corrected to 31, 0.90, 255 to get the desired effect.
Step 4:
Now we will work with the ‘desaturated layer. Select it and make it visible again. Do Auto Contrast (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+L) and Auto Levels (Ctrl+Shift+L). now, desaturate the layer, using Ctrl+Shift+U or choosing Image > Adjustments > Desaturate.
We also want to change the blending mode of this layer to “Multiply”.
This creates the washed out sepia look while keeping some color.
Step 5:
The final step is to play with the lightness and brightness of the image to get it looking right. Use the Hue/Saturation dialog (Ctrl+U) and drag the lightness slider. Also you can play with the brightness in Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast… but you probably don’t have to.
Here is what our final image looks like:
The best images to use are those with hard side lighting to create greater contrast on the face and mimic the movie’s look and feel even more. There is also a bluish hue in some of the night scenes, simply replace the Sepia Filter with a Cooling Filter in Step 2, and you will get some good results.
Here are a couple additional images of the Diggnation hosts, Kevin Rose and Alex Albrecht:
That’s all! Please leave a comment with any further tips or things you’ve figured out with this tutorial to make it better for everyone!
Canon PMA 2007 Photos
Dpreview.com has some pictures from this year’s PMA show from the Canon booth and all their new products, including the 1D mk3, the 16-35mm f/2.8 L II and the 580EX II Speedlite.
Here’s a quick list of the new products:
- Canon EOS-1D Mark III (Feb 22)
- Canon EF 16-35 mm F2.8L II (Feb 22)
- Canon Speedlite 580EX II (Feb 22)
- Canon Original Data Security Kit OSK-E3 (Feb 22)
- Canon Wireless Transmitter WFT-E2 (Feb 22)
- Canon PowerShot TX1 (Feb 22)
- Canon Digital ELPH SD1000 (Feb 22)
- Canon Digital ELPH SD750 (Feb 22)
- Canon PowerShot A570 IS (Feb 22)
- Canon PowerShot A560 (Feb 22)
- Canon PowerShot A550 (Jan 18)
- Canon PowerShot A460 (Jan 18)
- Canon PowerShot A450 (Jan 18)
I think that’s it for this year, so no replacements for the 30D and 5D, or the 1Ds mk2 as some people predicted.
Nikon D40x Announced: XTi killer?
Nikon Announced their answer to the Canon digital Rebel XTi (400D) with their update of the D40: the Nikon D40x. It is basically the same as the D40, but with almost twice the resolution at 10.2 megapixels, faster continuous shooting mode at 3 fps and now featuring ISO 100 (versus 6.1 megapixels, 2.5 fps and ISO 200 in the D40). First indication on the price is $799 US with a kit lens (18-55mm), so it is really challenging the XTi, but also lacking some key features like anti-dust and the excellent noise performance of the DIGIC II chip, to name a few. The XTi started at $899 US with kit lens, but now is close to $850.
DPReview has a hands-on preview of the D40x.
Canon’s FOV Crop quick table
Here is a quick list of all the Canon EOS Digital SLRs and their Field Of View Crop. 1.0x is Full Frame, and equal to Film.
1.0x:
- Canon 1Ds
- Canon 1Ds Mark II
- Canon 5D
1.3x
- Canon 1D
- Canon 1D Mark II
- Canon 1D Mark II N
- Canon 1D Mark III
1.6x
- Canon D30
- Canon D60
- Canon 10D
- Canon Digital Rebel / 300D
- Canon 20D
- Canon Digital Rebel XT / 350D
- Canon 30D
- Canon Digital Rebel XTi / 400D
That is the full listing I think for Canon branded bodies.
Rumors of a price drop on Canon EOS 30D and 5D DSLRs
Word is slowly spreading that Canon will be introducing a price cut on two of its current Digital SLR Cameras: the 30D and 5D. Most people were probably holding off until after PMA to pick up a new body and therefore sales may have been a little lower than expected (reinforced by Canon’s recent extension of their Fall 2006 rebates program).
Hopefully for those of you out there that were wanting to grab either of these cameras this will help you out. In fact, it should help us all by pushing the market down a little bit and making older bodies like the stellar 20D and the lower end 350D and 400D a little more affordable - not everyone needs or can afford a 1Dmk3 or 1DsmkII !
This is just a rumor, I’ll let you know if anything solid gets announced.
New Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Review
Photozone has updated their review of Canon’s EF 100 mm 2.8 Macro lens. Here’s their conclusion:
“The old EF 100mm f/2.8 macro lens had a superb reputation but Canon managed to keep up the performance of the USM successor despite of the introduction of a true IF design allowing to keep a constant lens length throughout the focus range. Mechanically this is a drastic improvement due to the absence of any moving outer parts that could suck in dust or wear out more easily. On top of that the USM implementation in this lens is excellent - compared to conventional macro lenses in this range it is a speed daemon here and a near silent one. Optically the lens resides on a very high level with little to nothing to be desired. HIGHLY recommended!”
This is a great lens either for Portrait or Macro use and with a USM motor will AF quickly. Be sure to check out the review if you are thinking of picking up this lens.
Canon EOS 1D Mark III Digital SLR
From Canon’s site:
“Canon’s flagship EOS-1D Mark III is the most advanced EOS Digital SLR ever produced. It has a new 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor (APS-H size) with Canon’s EOS Integrated Cleaning System and a 3.0-inch LCD monitor with Canon’s Live View technology. The 1D Mark III has a redesigned 100% viewfinder, a new 45-point AF system, and can shoot up to 10 fps continuously with a maximum burst of 110 shots. Dual “DIGIC III” Image Processors work in tandem to speed up every process while refining image quality; a new, lighter body has improved weather sealing and shutter durability. Every facet of the EOS experience has been enhanced with the 1D Mark III. It’s the new standard.”
The introductory price will be $3999 and it should be available in April 2007.
Here are some key stats:
- World’s fastest AF DSLR with approximately 10 fps continuous shooting in One-Shot AF or AI Servo AF
- Maximum burst (JPEG Large, compression level 8 ) approximately 110 shots; RAW, approximately 30 shots (based on Canon’s testing standards)
- Dual DIGIC III Image Processors for fine detail, natural color reproduction and high-speed performance
- ISO 100-3200 with ISO speed extension, L = 50, H = 6400
- 14-bit A/D conversion for fine gradation
- Live View in camera and remote, wired and wireless
- New 45-point Area AF sensor with 19 high-precision, cross-type points (f/2.8 compatible), 26 standard-precision Assist AF points
- New AF point selection methods
- AF micro-adjustment (fine adjustment of AF point of focus)
- Adjustable operation characteristics for AF point selection, shutter release priority and focus-tracking sensitivity with AI Servo AF
- New methods of AF point expansion during manual AF point selection
- New 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, APS-H size
- Improved microlens array and pixel fill factor plus optimized photodiode structure to increase light-reception efficiency
- Professional EOS Integrated Cleaning System with Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit, Dust Delete Data acquisition
- RAW, sRAW (new Small RAW), RAW+JPEG, sRAW+JPEG, JPEG+JPEG simultaneous recording
- Increased shutter durability of approximately 300,000 cycles
- Large and bright 3.0-inch LCD monitor with 230,000 pixels and wide viewing angle
- Five custom WB settings
- Selectable noise reduction for high ISO images, 50% less shadow noise for all images
- Selectable Highlight Tone Priority
- High-speed shutter with 1/8000 sec. maximum speed and high-speed X-sync at 1/300 sec. with EX Speedlites
- Startup time approx. 0.2 sec.
- Shutter release time lag approx. 55 ms. (approximately 40 ms. at maximum aperture with C. Fn IV -13-1) and viewfinder blackout time 80 ms. at 1/250 or higher
- Compatible with SDHC (SD High-Capacity) memory cards as well as high capacity CF cards
- Compatible with USB 2.0 Hi-Speed image transfer
- Faster writing to memory card
- High-magnification, wide-coverage viewfinder and improved focusing screen with 100% finder coverage
- 63-zone metering sensor for more stable exposure control with ambient light and flash
- High-capacity, lightweight and compact lithium-ion battery with estimated battery life display
- Enhanced recording options include automatic switching of recording media, separate recordings to media and identical recordings to multiple media
- Silent mode for single images
- Image copying and backup to external media enabled
- ISO speed safety shift
- ISO speed and metering pattern always displayed in viewfinder and on top LCD data panel
- New control layout with SET button, AF On button and Multi-Controller
- Displayable camera settings and better image information during playback
- Histogram display, jump display, error code display, and shooting settings display
- Chassis, mirror box, and exterior covers made of magnesium alloy
- Maintains water resistance with new 580EX II Speedlite
- Personal Functions consolidated with Custom Functions, resulting in 57 Custom Functions in 4 groups
- Custom Function settings can be registered and called up
- Camera settings can be saved and read
- Camera’s basic settings can be registered and applied
- New “My Menu” function can be registered and displayed at startup
- Camera direct printing (PictBridge) improved and DPOF print ordering provided
- Direct printing of RAW and sRAW images
- Direct image transfer
- Wireless/wired LAN for image transfers via new WFT-E2A dedicated Wireless File Transmitter
- External USB recording media and GPS unit usable via the WFT-E2A
- Verification data can be generated, encrypted and appended to the image with new Original Data Security Kit OSK-E3
- Compatible with original image verification system
- Speedlite Custom Functions settable with the camera when the 580EX II Speedlite is attached
- New software package includes Digital Photo Professional 3.0 and EOS Utility 2.0
- New EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens features improved peripheral image quality
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