Photo lovers on the Internet can find all kinds of photo editing styles. Your attention is invited to consider the direction of fine art on the example of the work "Hiding my heart" (Hiding my heart) by German photographer Andrea Hubner.

Fine art is a direction in the artistic design of photography, which includes images and color tonality. Of course, for this genre, it is also necessary to dress the model and make up in the appropriate style, but for an example of photo processing, let's take an ordinary photo of a girl. We need to give the photo blue-orange tones.

Open the image (example) and get ready to create a lot of adjustment layers. Create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer and start adding blue.

Create a Levels adjustment layer and adjust the image to make it darker.

Create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer and set the Toning by moving the cursor towards blue.

In the layer mask of this adjustment layer, paint over the girl with a soft brush of black color.

This is done in order to correct the background.

Copy the layer with the girl and drag it on top of all layers. Attach a layer mask to this layer and paint over everything in it with a black brush, except for the girl. Click on the second part of the layer (with the girl) and go to the "Image" tab, open "Correction" and then "Color balance". Adjust the tone of the girl. Change the layer blending mode to "Color" and reduce the opacity to 40-50%.

We go back to the lower layers and above the girl's layer we create an adjustment layer "Curves" to correct the lighting.

In the layer mask of this adjustment layer, paint over the girl with a black brush.

We become on the top layer and “Rectangular selection” circle the entire image. Go to the tab "Editing" - "Copy combined data" - "Paste". For a layer with combined data, go to the tab "Filter" - "Imitation" - "Oil Painting". Set the minimum values.

Create a Photo Filter adjustment layer and set the color to orange.

Change the layer blending mode to "Saturation" and reduce the opacity to 90%.

We return to the layer with the combined data and process the image. Using the Blur Tool of a small diameter, we pass over the girl's skin without touching the facial features.

Smooth out the background with the same tool.

Use the Dodge Tool with 50% Opacity to paint over the cheeks.

Create a new layer and with a blue brush draw small circles above the eyes. Change this layer's Blending Mode to Exclusion and reduce the Opacity to 10-20%.

Create a new layer and paint the lips with a brush to match the color of the lipstick. For this layer, change the blending mode to "soft light" and reduce the opacity to 60-70%

Use the Darken tool to paint shadows on the eyelids.

Thus, we get an image with unrealistic color tones.

We are used to the fact that fashion is fleeting and capricious. A few years ago, the abundance of sequins, rhinestones and Swarovski crystals was considered an indicator of taste and wealth, but today, on the contrary, it is stigmatized for bad taste and lack of style. But along with the trends that change with the seasons, there are classics that are eternal and beautiful today, tomorrow, always. What is a classic? First of all, these are eternal human values ​​and their glorification in artistic genres. We see on the canvases, for example, Vermeer and other classical masters of the golden age of painting, nobility, restraint, modesty, kindness - in fact, those qualities that give a person this elusive inner glow. It is this that makes the hero of a classic work handsome and charismatic, despite the peculiarities of his appearance. Most likely, it is in this kinship and closeness to the classics, as well as in the ability to convey such ephemeral nuances, that the success of wedding fine art photography lies.

Photographer - Jose Villa

Fine art style, it would seem, is quite young, because its founder Jose Villa, a young American photographer, began to win the whimsical heart of the global wedding industry just a few years ago. However, the maximum closeness of this style to the classical canons of art and the use of the laws of classical painting, sculpture and architecture in fine art make it a dear and dearly beloved grandson of the classics. Fine art photographers work mainly with film photography. It is believed that it conveys natural light much better than digital photography. In general, light is the main source of inspiration for fine art. He is always in the frame, he acts not just as a background, but as a real participant in the filming process, and it is he who creates this magical enchanting effect of a photograph-picture, a photograph-a small masterpiece.

Photographer - Maxim Koliberdin

There are not as many open emotions in fine art photographs as we have become accustomed to over the years of the trend for bright super emotional wedding shots with active newlyweds in the center of everyone's attention. But to say that there are no feelings in fine art photography would be a huge mistake. They are not so obvious, yes, rather hidden, multi-level, veiled, but this does not make them any less strong and exciting. Emotions of fine art in the depths of the gaze, in sensual poses, in a random gust of breeze blowing the hem of a flying dress. They need to be considered, guessed, included in this game, and even, perhaps, solve some riddle. All this is again an echo of classical art and a game of beads with eternal concepts of beauty, style, grace.

Photographer - Marina Muravnik

Fine art, in addition to film, light and a strong internal emotional charge, has another original weapon that can melt almost any heart that is not alien to beauty. These are the details. In fine art shooting, details and decor occupy almost a third of the total final material. With the help of details, a story is told, its outline is built and its uniqueness is demonstrated. Flowers, embellishments, calligraphy, decorative pieces, fabrics and ribbons all become puzzle pieces that the decorator puts together on the set, thereby creating an absolutely original and unique picture. Therefore, fine art shooting is always the work of a team, where each professional has his own role and his own plan of action, but at the same time, a common clear idea and understanding of what this particular story is about, what is its inner charm and charm, for whom it is told and what it will look like in the final.

Photographer - Svetlana Strizhakova

Today we want to talk to you about style in Fine art wedding photography. Fine art is based on shooting on film in natural light with an abundance of light, air in the frame, and soft focus. Some compare the Fine art style to painting and say that watercolor is the closest thing to it. Now this style has been supplemented by a digital photograph processed to look like film. Its founder is the American photographer Jose Villa (Jose Villa). In 2011 Jose Villa published a book "Fine art weddings photography. How to capture images with style for the modern bride". This is an elegant classic photograph that will remain relevant for decades to come.

No digital camera can capture the magical color, light and atmosphere that film conveys. The film gives a feeling of lightness, allows you to consider textures and textures as if by touching the photo you can feel the atmosphere of the place and the mood of the characters.
Our favorite foreign Fine art photographers are Elizabeth Messina, KT Merry and Erich McVey

Film photography is a whole process of creating a work of art that not everyone can handle. When you have a few frames and you have to catch that very moment. Each picture reflects the soul of the author: from the creation of the frame to the moment of handing the finished photographs to the newlyweds. After all, photography comes to life only in finished shots!

There are also photographers in Ukraine who shoot in this style. For example, Artem Oneshchak, Konstantin Zakhary and Maria Gritsak, Polina Ilchenko, Masha Golub, Masha Konishevskaya, Nadia Vasilenko, Pasha Lutov, Oksana Shokalenko.
Here's what they say about Fine Art.

Masha Golub, has been photographing in Fine Art style for 3 years
“Fine Art direction is not only photography in a bright way, as many might assume, but first of all a creative business approach, starting from the presentation of the first proposal, ending with the return of the finished material in an aesthetic form inherent in this direction. For me, each photo should be, first of all, valuable, so I interpret Fine Art as “creating artistic photographs out of time”.

Oksana Shokalenko, shoots for 5 years
“I never thought about the style in which I shoot. Most likely, this happens on an intuitive level, the way I see people, their relationships and emotions. In a word, to show simple things beautiful and real. For me, fine art is a harmonious composition that conveys the softness of light and the fullness of the frame. This is a photograph that you want to peer into and find your own meaning in it.

Pavel Lutov, photographing for 4 years
« When we talk about Fine art photography, I want to convey that this is primarily about the high artistic level of the photographer's work in general. How the photographer communicates with the client, how he presents his work, how communication takes place at each stage of work, and even how the result looks. All this is fine art for me. The main meaning of the direction for me is to convey the fact that the photographer is an artist, and his work has artistic value. This understanding and philosophy nurtures the culture of wedding photography and the wedding market in general. I never indicate anywhere that I am a Fine art photographer (you will not find this name on any of my resources). Fine art is one of the areas that I am inspired by, along with life style photography, fashion photography and other areas. For me, photography is primarily a vision and a sense of the world. My frames are filled with color and light from my childhood, a lot was formed back then. They are permeated with the perception of how the world I see or want to see. At this stage, the film tool conveys as accurately as possible the picture that I imagine in my head. But this instrument is one of the components that forms my style. »

Konstantin Zakhary and Maria Gritsak For ten years they have been filming extraordinary weddings together. Their photographs are saturated with love and tenderness, there is so much air and feelings in them! The guys work in the Fine art style, travel the world and shoot on film. Kostya says that if you have a party and gather all the couples, there will be about 500 people))

How to pack fine art wedding photos? Of course it depends on what you give to your customers. In fact, there may be several options, but in any of them it will be a flash drive with photos. Since the Fine art style is characterized by soft colors, light textures, a glass flash drive would be an ideal solution. Photos can be put in an envelope or box with a satin ribbon, and a box is ideal for a photo book. Light colors, gold or silver embossing, calligraphy, tracing paper, wax printing in pastel shades are ideal for the Fine art style.

Then it all depends on whether you give printed photos or a photo book. Film photography is a real journey that has soul, inspiration and emotions, each film frame is unique, as is the story of each photographer.

They talked about how and why they became part of it, about the established canons and features that Fine Art acquired in Russia.

Maxim Koliberdin:

I entered the world of photography seven years ago. I bought a camera and began to shoot simple scenes, then more complex, creative ones: street, portrait, experimented with reflection, mixed light, long exposure. I am still proud of many of those photographs, they show that photography was a new world for me and really captured me. Naturally, I began to study who shoots and how, what styles and stars are in wedding photography.

In the West there was a style that I have never seen in our country, - Fine Art Wedding Photography. And one of its brightest representatives was and remains Jose Villa. For a long time I could not understand how he achieves such watercolor colors, smooth transition of tones, until I found out that all this was filmed. And since then the film is my great love. In addition, I shoot in medium format, which gives an amazing volume to the image.

Such an image is "kindred" to the human eye. I also like the psychology of shooting on film. Unlike digital, the number of frames on it is limited, so you have to shoot more thoughtfully, you try to make each frame as good as possible and different from the others. It was only through the use of film that I truly understood what a photographer's job is. When working with an image is not done in Photoshop, but directly at the time of shooting.

The main disadvantage of the film is its cost. In addition to the fact that each video costs about $10, the frames also need to be developed and digitized, which is also expensive. In addition, color film is difficult to use in poor lighting conditions. The film has no other disadvantages, and love for it levels out even these for me.

Oddly enough, I also love digital photography. She has one big advantage. As photojournalist Sergey Maksimishin says: “Do not spare pressure, an unexpected gift from God can happen.” As you understand, such clicks when shooting on film are too expensive, and digital makes it possible to receive this same gift for free.

fine art This is an art photo. Many people think that Fine Art is necessarily a light, soft-focus, pastel photograph, but this is not so. A dark, sharp photograph can also be artistic. However, a light image is better suited for a wedding theme.

Compared to America, we don't have many photographers shooting in this style. In Russia, over the past few years, the wedding industry has grown dramatically in quality. Agencies, decorators, stylists aspire to make interesting projects, and Fine Art, with its attention to detail, is best suited to display this teamwork.

About 20 such photographers appeared last season. There is always a copy at the beginning. And I must say that we overcame this period very quickly - in just a couple of years. Now Russian Fine Art photography is quite strong. In the West, this style has been filmed for at least 10-15 years, and some canons of how it should look have developed there.

In Russia, due to the climate, photography has its own characteristics. For example, it is known that the so-called golden hour in our northern latitudes is very different in its shades from the golden hour in southern latitudes, say in California, where 90% of fine art photographs were taken.

Also, our wedding traditions are different from European or American ones. Our weddings are more luxurious and dynamic. If we still had such locations as in Europe, then Russian wedding photographers would be the happiest. And the main difference is, of course, the bride. Talking about the beauty of Russian women is like repeating a common truth, but still I repeat!

In any photography, including Fine Art, the most important thing is light. But at the same time, how this light will be used depends on the skill of the photographer. A good photographer can beat, show beautifully and interestingly “bad” light, and a non-professional will say that he is missing something.

My top advice to a couple choosing a wedding photographer: evaluate his work not from the position of the viewer, but from the position of the person who will be depicted in these photographs. Would you like your guests to be photographed in this way? How would you like to see yourself in these photographs, say, in 30 years, how would your children and grandchildren see you in them?

And the second important point: ask the photographer to show you a few shots inside and out. It is important that it be a person of approximately the same level of interests and inner world as you. A wedding is an atmospheric event, and if the photographer is not on the same wavelength as you, he simply may not see some of the important shots. Also, be prepared for the fact that a film photographer will cost more, as part of the fee goes to film, development and scanning.

Alexey and Marina Muravnik:

Why Fine Art? Because this style combines everything you need for the most beautiful wedding photos. These are the breath of the wind, the warmth of the setting sun, the ocean breeze, the tenderness of flower petals, the lightness of silk and the complexity of handmade lace patterns. This combination of natural light, soft undertones, depth of film colors, this is elegance and good taste - photos out of time that you want to put on the fireplace of your future country house. If we compare Fine Art wedding photography with painting, then for me it is impressionism- "the ability to naturally and vividly capture the real world in its mobility and variability, to convey your fleeting impressions."

Among Western wedding photographers my favorites are Erich McVey , Laura Gordon , Kurt Bumer , Jen Huang . In Russia, photographers are rediscovering film, coming to the conclusion that a lively classic filled with emotions will always be relevant, and moving away from extreme angles and processing. Visually, Russian Fine Art differs from American. We have different types of faces, green color, light, wedding locations, culture and traditions. But I hope that attention to the aesthetics of the frame will remain a trend for a long time.

If you decide to choose a Fine Art photographer, first of all, pay attention to the portfolio of real weddings. Shooting creative projects in greenhouse conditions and a wedding with all its complexities, force majeure and compromises are completely different things.

I advise you to talk about what conditions a photographer needs to show the perfect result. For the Fine Art style, good natural lighting plays a key role.

Without proper timing that takes into account this feature, the photographer simply will not have the opportunity to take the photos of her dreams for the couple.

If we talk about decor, then in Fine Art the picture is created by a harmonious combination of all elements, fresh flowers, exquisite details, high-quality materials.

For a wedding of up to 100 people, you need and two photographers are enough. It is important that they are from the same team, constantly work together, know and understand each other's tasks. For me the perfect mix is combination of digital and film. Film - for beauty, magic, shooting all stages of the day with good lighting: gatherings, ceremonies, walks. Numeral - for speed, security, shooting a banquet.

Photo: Maxim Koliberdin, Marina Muravnik
Interview: Marina Kobrina

It is difficult to find today a specialist in the wedding field who has not heard of fine art photographers and photographs, this direction is now experiencing a real explosion of popularity.

Fine art photographers become an advantage when organizing decor master classes, a feature of the organizers and a dream of many newlyweds. Let's take a closer look at this topic!

Let's start with the fact that fine art is a whole area of ​​fine art, including painting, for example, and not exclusively wedding photographs in pastel colors.

Fine art is an artistic, creative depiction of reality. Typically, wedding photography is a reportage work, which consists in a beautiful capture of the most important moments of the wedding day. Fine art, on the other hand, is mainly staged shots with a search for interesting textures, lines, plasticity, geometry, and unusual light.

That is, in principle, any author's photoset with its idea and embodiment can be fine art, but the current trend of fine art photography has acquired several noticeable features by which we can identify this style in the photographer's work:

• pastel shades
• Lightness, sophistication
• abundance of light
• Emphasis on details, non-classical portraits

All this was inspired by film photography with its unique color reproduction, but now the photographer can also use a digital camera, achieving the desired “tube” effect later in graphic editors.

In professional discussions, photographers often argue about whether a fine art photograph is the result of work and a decorator, including, or no additions are needed for true “artistry”. In my opinion, it depends entirely on the skill of the photographer. A real fine art pro will be able to capture a masterpiece without decor at all, using only the geometry of the body and light.

Decorators themselves are interested in such tender and bright photographs of their work, since decor is not an end in itself, it is just a way to emphasize the history of a couple. And here the question arises, how can a photographer be interested in creating a cool portfolio at the forefront of the trend.

The main requirement is harmony and lightness. Everything should be combined with each other: decor, outfits, background. The more interesting and subtler all this is interconnected, the more solid and tender the photos will turn out.

In addition, I advise you to focus on what the leading fine art photographers choose for their master classes.

For example, look at the photos from this MK by Maxim Koliberdin, catch the principle - http://koliberdinm.livejournal.com/80387.html?page

Photographer Sergey Zinchenko

As you can see, the main thing is to breathe in the same style with the photographer, understand his idea, maintain the desired palette of shades.

What do you think, colleagues? Have you ever worked on fine art shoots? Tell us about your experience.