Portrait effects for sports photos in Photoshop

Image optimization of sports portraits: Here you can see the intro to the course.

Image optimization of sports portraits: Here is an overview of the image.

Now the contrasts are increased and the colors desaturated in the raw development. By brightening the dark areas, the structures in these areas are enhanced.

The cropping tool is used to rotate and crop the image format. The result is a more exciting image composition.

Selection tools are used to separate the model from its surroundings. This allows it to be placed in front of a new background.

Use the brush tool and the "smoke brushes" to paint a smoky background with white paint.

Thanks to the frequency separation, colors and details can be edited separately. The face in particular can be optimally retouched in this way.

The image is darkened with a curve adjustment layer. An oval, blurred mask hides the inner part and therefore does not make it darker.

Two layers with gradient fills are created in the background and above the model. These provide the color look.

Using dodge-and-burn processing on a separate layer, depths and highlights are worked out. This makes the model look more vivid, but also more artificial.

A photo of a lens flare is inserted on a new layer. This provides a hint of the studio lights. A second layer provides a further color look.

The contrast is increased with a black and white adjustment layer in the "Soft light" layer mode.

The image is sharpened with the "Reduce blur" filter. More precisely, the contrasts in the details are increased.

Image optimization of sports portraits - first an overview of the image.

In raw development, the contrasts are increased and the colors desaturated. The dark areas are also brightened.

The background is retouched with the stamp tool. Disturbing elements, wrinkles and dust are removed.

The repair brush is now used to remove impurities from the face and hair and dust from clothing.

The image is now darkened using a curve adjustment layer. The inner part is hidden by an oval, blurred mask and is therefore not darker.

Let's move on: Dodge-and-burn processing on a separate layer brings out the depths and highlights. This makes the model look more vivid, but also more artificial.

A gradient fill is used to create a golden color look over the image. This gives the skin in particular a warm color tone.

The contrast is increased with a black and white adjustment layer in the "Soft light" layer mode.

Now a summary of all visible content is processed on a new layer with the high-pass filter. In the "Soft light" layer mode, the sharpness and details are enhanced.

Color gradients are created with the brush on a layer in "Multiply negative" mode. These simulate light coming in from the side.

Image optimization of sports portraits - Here is an overview of the image.

In raw development, the contrasts are increased and the colors desaturated. By brightening the dark areas, the structures in these areas are enhanced.

The background is simulated with a colored surface and a point of light. The floor is created by distorting a photo of a concrete wall.

The model is roughly selected with the quick selection tool, worked out more precisely with the brush and the hair is cropped with the "Improve edge" brush tool.

This shadow is created realistically using the photographed shadow from the original shot. In "Multiply" layer mode and with reduced opacity, it is shown to its best advantage.

The two feet are cut out, mirrored downwards and distorted. In "Multiply" layer mode, with reduced opacity and a layer mask, the mirroring looks more realistic.

The repair brush removes impurities from the face and hair and dust from clothing.

A summary of all visible content on a new layer is processed with the high-pass filter. In the "Soft light" layer mode, the sharpness and details are enhanced.

Dodge-and-burn processing on a separate layer brings out the depths and highlights. This makes the model look more vivid, but also more artificial.

A glow at the edges in the area of the light background allows the model to blend in more with the surroundings.

The image is darkened using a curve adjustment layer. An oval, blurred mask hides the inner part and therefore does not make it darker.

Separately created light effects are inserted and set to the "Negative multiply" layer mode. Certain areas are hidden with a layer mask.

On a layer in "Negative multiply" mode, dots of color are applied with a soft brush to intensify the colors.

The contrast is increased with a black and white adjustment layer in the "Soft light" layer mode.

Image optimization of sports portraits - the outro to the course.