International Photo Composite Challenge

The Internet has done a lot of things in the past 15 years. the biggest accomplishment has undoubtedly been the connection of billions of people. People that would otherwise never meet or even know of each others existence.

We now can chat, talk and see people from all over the world. Share stories, images and life experiences. If you are reading this you most likely share your life experiences through photos. As a photographer you have the ability to tell stories through images. You can take an emotion and illustrate it.

If you are familiar with my (Michael Herb) work. You know I love to tell stories using a single image. I love to evoke emotion and get a reaction. I also love to utilize the digital aspect of image capture including the heavy use of post production. Photoshop has had a firm grasp on my attention for the past 15 years. I see a photo out of a camera as a base in which to build upon. A coloring book of sorts. My passion is to take that raw image and bring it to life with the use of a vast array of image editing tools.

That brings me to the epiphany I recently had. What if I could collaborate with photographers around the world to create jaw dropping images that know no borders, boundaries or limits. Why can't I have french models in a Japanese garden? Whats stopping us from creating these images? nothing! With the Internet and digital cameras we have the ability to collaborate, construct and deliver with out ever meeting in person.

This is where I make my proposal. Lets all "get together" and create a composite using elements shot all over the world.

This is how it will work.

A theme will be announced followed by a cast of characters and location idea

Each of these characters will have a breakdown of their role in the photo. The breakdown will consist of:

  • global positions based on a clock face.
  • Lighting Diagrams
  • Angle and orientation of camera

Each person chosen for the particular image will take on one role in which they will be required to shoot and deliver in a standard format to a drop box folder. This raw image will then be taken by me and composited together with all other elements submited.

There will also be a background element position in each image. This person will be required to go out and shoot a background using a tripod and a 5 exposure HDR. Which may or may not be processed as an HDR. The whole image will be composited and then posted with credit given to each team member.

The first "round" will be an experiment and thus have less "control" released to team members. I will develop the concept, players, requirements and time frame. If things work out we can open up the concept creation stage to more people.

Below is a sample:

Theme: Drama
Players: 3
Location: city alley

Concept:
Man in trench coat is mugging a woman. He is requesting she give up her purse. Woman is terrified but reluctant to give up purse. She is holding it close to chest. A man in background at opening to alley sees this and throws fist up and yells to mugger.

Player 1:

Woman holding purse close to chest with frightened look on face. She is facing 3:00

Lighting:
Key light will emulate light from street. Must be strong and leave good highlights. Position will be at 2:00.
Fill light will be at 4:00 and provide subtle fill but not over powering.

Player 2:

Man in trench coat holding gun aimed at 10:00 he is holding out his hand signaling he wants the purse

Lighting:
Man will have highlight on gun and face from key light at 2:00
Fill light will be subtle on his back but wont leave strong highlights. positioned at 4:00

Player 3:

Man holding up hand and yelling he is looking towards 7:00. He is yelling from the distance in order to stop mugging.

Edge light will be from 2:00 over his shoulder.

Lighting:
fill light will be from 9:00 providing enough fill to make believable that he is on street. His whole body will need to be lit as he is in the street and fully lit.

Background
Alleyway with city street in distance.
5 image HDR shot in 1 stop increments.
minimum of 24mm lens shot in landscape orientation.
Camera height 4' from ground.

People shot requirements:

  • must be shot at no more than 50mm
    between f/8-f/11.
  • Shot against a neutral backdrop with clean crisp edges all around.
  • vertical orientation to maximize usable resolution.

What you will need to participate.

At least 2 speed lights or studio strobes with modifiers. I.e. softbox, beauty dish, umbrellas...
Neutral backdrop (white or grey). This can be a studio backdrop, paper or even a white king sized bed sheet. The goal is to have a clean backdrop all around for me to mask from. At no point can the subject and background blend. Contrast must be maintained at all edges.

You do not need to be a pro but you will need to have basic knowledge of off camera lighting. You will also need to be able to provide crisp, sharp focused images with no dust, dirt or flare. No blown out highlights or crushed shadows. Poor quality images wont be used.

All shots need to be a minimum of 10 megapixel and shot in RAW. Jpegs, tiff, pngs, gifs and so on can not be used!
Files must be uploaded in RAW with no processing.

Each image must include with it, the photographers name and links. all credits including hair, makeup, wardrobe, model. The city and location of the shoot must be given including a rough GPS coordinate.

Below is a sample of what the lighting diagram and mock up will look like. Forgive my poor computer drawing skills.