Jedi Grooms

[TonyH]

Hi All,

First, I know it's cheesey. The groom and his guys are all Star Wars fans. I wish I would have known before the wedding. I would have gotten them in the studio, done some edge lighting, set-up a cool composite, etc.

This was on the day of the wedding. No time. Toy lightsabers brought out. Bam. Shot and go. So, what can I do to improve the photoshop work?

Glow - I'm torn. If you consult the movies, comics, etc - you usually don't see a glow on close objects. I would still think a red tinted light source (for the guy on the lower right with the saber close to his face) would give off a reddish glow.

Colors - well, again - consulting the pile of reference material - the expanded universe threw out specific colors being related to Sith or Jedi. So, yes, I have two with red sabers - but that's just to spruce it up color wise.

Your C&C, thoughts, suggestions are certainly welcome...

http://www.tonyharrellphotography.com/images-weddings/katie_stjohns_valdosta_wedding_06.jpg

[Matt Timmons]

Hey Tony,

Let me add my 2 cents worth of Star Wars input here, but you said it right- it's cheesy (but fun and their entitled to that).

You could add the glow from the light saber. In the movies there's no glow in daylight conditions because the ambient light drowns out any glow, but in darker rooms they did indeed have luminance to them just as you would expect. Refer to the battle between Luke and Vader in 'Empire Strikes Back'- there's glow. Although it should be noted that most of the time glow light was not cast on the actors because it was all done with rotoscoping hence no glow. Especially in the original Star Wars because it was a plexiglass stick with a light going through it.

There were also yellow light sabers and I think purple used in the prequel's. How about just letting the groomsmen pick their own colors? You are right- red is the Sith color.

I think the accuracy of your light sabers would look better with a layer style outer glow added, just goof with the settings until it looks more real. Oh also I think you should crop out the sky above the building, it looks a little out of place with the shot (unless it has to be there to fit the framing or whatever). Nice lighting on the subjects. Oh- and remove your flash reflection on the black guy's glasses. :)
:jedi:

[TonyH]

Thanks for the feedback Matt. I'll go back and add some glow. Good suggestion on the crop and the flash removal.

Tony

[Nick Saglimbeni]

Hey Tony,

That's rad. I'd just cut out the hedges and put them in space like on the original Star Wars poster, because while you can make fun of partial-cheese, no one can mess with full-on, in-your-face, take-this-and-eat-it cheese.