Jordan Castillo Price's Blog, page 44
July 25, 2012
Color and tone in composites
Even though I'm doing single-model covers for Turbulence, I still want all the covers to look like they belong together when you line them all up, so I want to give the impression that my lighting is all the same. Even though it really, really, really isn't.
Initially I was working in an OnOne plugin called Perfect Photo Suite to tone my pictures. But then I upgraded my Photoshop and my OnOne no longer works without me opening up an older version of Photoshop, so I decided to just bite the bullet and do some initial toning of my photo in Camera Raw (which is a function of Adobe Bridge). I had awesome results! I'm going to start opening all my stock in Raw to get it closer to my final result before I even bring it into Photoshop.
Here's an existing cover I'm trying to match. Some of the things I'm considering are the overall temperature of the light, the intensity of the shadows, the overall saturation of the color and the level of contrast, which is fairly high, but without blown out highlights.
Here's the stock photo as shot. The highlights are really pale, the quality of the light is very cool, and it's natural light. All the other shots I've used so far were studio shots...but I really loved the expression on his face. There's a scene in the next story where Paul is in DC out on the street listening to his voicemail and I thought this really captured it...but that scene takes place at night, and this is really bright! However, I forge ahead...
I was able to get the shot this far in Camera Raw. It might not seem like a big deal to have it be "just a little darker" but I've actually tweaked the temperature of the lighting to make his skin more peachy and I've enhanced a lot of detail to the midtones that were starting to look blown out in the original.
And here it is composited with my street scene, my typography and my ghost orbs. I used a few additional photo filters both to darken him further and to give the illusion that it's night and he's actually being lit by that streetlamp. (I tried about fifty gradiated filters on a few different blend modes...it took a while. I really wanted to sell that it was night time.) When I use toning filters like that, I usually mask them away here and there. I find it makes the image less flat. Here, I tapped the filtering off Paul's chin and knuckles. I think it looks more dimensional that way, to have color casts emerging and receding rather than just being applied to the whole image.
Now I just need to finish writing the last chapter!
Additional links:
There's a great course on Camera Raw on Lynda.com. Some chapters are free. I'll confess I didn't watch the whole 6 hour course, but probably 90 minutes, enough to feel confident about getting in there and making some adjustments.
And you can find the Turbulence series free at JCPbooks.com
Ding ding ding
July 15, 2012
JCP News July 2012
JCP News July 2012 is here!
- Take a Hike
- Mnevermind Reviews
- Notion Potion
- Victor Bayne Q&A
- A Likely Story
- Turbulence 3: Red-Eye Dawn
The interesting orange flower from my hike has been identified: it's a turk's head lily or Michigan lily. Thanks, Sandra!!
Go to the newsletter
July 12, 2012
JCP Interview at Full Moon Bites
July 7, 2012
Victor Bayne Q&A day 3 roundup
I think I've done all the non-spoiler questions at this point that I can think of an answer for, so if you have any, ask away.
Q: Have you ever meet a ghost you liked or already would have liked if they were still alive?
A: It's unusual to feel warm and fuzzy about a ghost, because there is something inherently uncomfortable about them. But I think the cannery's original owner was pretty cool. I'm also relieved that she took off once we bought the house, though occasionally I wish I could call her and ask her about an alarming new creak or crack and find out if it was there before.
Dr. Morganstern's ghost bummed me out. I didn't realize how much I trusted him while he was alive, since I have an aversion to medical health professionals in general.
I'd say Miss Mattie is probably the only spirit I can think of who doesn't have an eerie vibe to her. I'm sure she was an awesome lady. Or still is. –Vic
Q: Does Jacob ever get jealous?
A: I imagine everyone gets jealous some time or another. It's human nature. He practically shoved me out the door and told me to take one for the team when we were at PsyTrain, though, and I went out for the world's most uncomfortable drink. Overall I guess I'd say his jealous tendencies are pretty low. It's good. I think if he was keeping tabs on me and giving me the third degree all the time, it would get old, fast. –Vic
Q: Would Vic consider skipping over to Iowa to get married?
A: I think I should have the right to get married in the city I live in and protect, and it's bullshit that I don't. But at the same time I never viewed myself as husband material. I don't like the idea of signing a contract to be with someone. I want Jacob to be with me because he wants to be, not because he's obligated. So I guess I'm saying I think I should have the right to get married although the thought of exercising that right doesn't appeal to me. –Vic
Q: Have you ever decided to do anything about becoming more... athletic? With all of Jacob's workout equipment in the basement, I wondered if you thought about using some of it? :)
A: Yeah, that freeweight routine I was trying to figure out lasted all of one session. I don't know, there's something about pumping iron that seems like it's for douchebags. And there's something about being in the basement that I hate every way I look at it.
Maybe I wouldn't mind rollerblading. –Vic
Q:Do you think you can trust Jacob if he works for the FPMP? Or will have Crash a chance with you?
A: I trust Jacob with all the important stuff, for instance letting me know what he's doing despite the fact that I'll bitch and moan if I don't like it. But years of working with Carolyn have made him very good at small lies of omission. But, you know, I think that's both healthy and normal. Non-psychs think they want full disclosure and 100% truth, but I don't think they could actually handle always knowing when someone thought their ass looked big or whatever.
Crash isn't actually interested in me, he just likes to flirt. It's flattering, sure, but that's all it is. Plus sometimes I think he just does it to see me squirm. –Vic
Q: Are you scared of becomming a ghost when you die? Or that someone really close to you (like Jacob or Lisa) will?
A: This would be my worst nightmare. We're cops, too, so chances are we're not gonna have pretty ends. For me, I hope I'll know enough to move along. But if it comes down to seeing one of my friends like that...hopefully it never comes down to that. -Vic
July 5, 2012
Victor Bayne Q&A day 2 roundup
Q: If you and Jacob could both get a week or two off at the same time - what would you do?
A: We'll see if maybe he can be more demanding about his time off now. Maybe he can get away with it and we can actually plan a vacation. Flying commercial turned out to be such a non-issue for me that I wouldn't mind getting to see someplace other than Chicago. Theoretically someplace where I wasn't busy working. Not too hot. Not too cold. No one missing. No one dead. And a good Mexican restaurant. I dunno where that would be...but I wouldn't mind going there. –Vic
Q: Would you ever consider buying a decent suit?
A: I consider lots of things...then time just runs out on me. The "long" sizes from the Big & Tall shop fit really well right off the rack, and then one day I was driving by and saw a "For Lease" sign in their window. Come on! They're in business fifty years and suddenly they can't stay open long enough for me to grab a few blazers? –Vic
Q: What's your favorite part of Jacob? I know mine. ;)
A: How embarrassing...I never talk to people about stuff like this. You'd think it was his ass or his shoulders or whatever else he punishes on machines on a regular basis, but there's something about his focus that's really flattering. I feel like when I talk to people, whatever's going on is like 90% about them. But there's something about the way Jacob mulls over our interactions that makes me feel like I really am half of our relationship.
Eh, that probably didn't make any sense. His ass. He has an amazing ass. You could set a drink on it. –Vic
Q: It's so hot here in Cincinnati, it made me want to ask one very important question.....what is your favorite flavor of ice cream? :)
A: What's with this summer, seriously? Coffee flavored ice cream always hits the spot...but really, chocolate, vanilla, all of that normal stuff is fine. Anything without chunks in it. I'm not too keen on surprises. –Vic
Q: I am sure Ive read your preference somewhere along the line but its not coming to me.....boxers or tightie-whitied and why?
A: WHERE THE HELL IS SOMEONE WRITING ABOUT MY UNDERWEAR PREFERENCE? Fucking Crash...don't believe a word he says. Er, writes. He thinks he's so funny.
-Vic
Q: Do you worry about people finding out Jacob isn't a Stiff?
A: Are we alone here? Okay. I've given this some thought and I'm pretty sold on the idea that maybe Jacob is one of the few "real" Stiffs out there.
In general, though, I wish he and I, and all of us psychs, could just pretend there was "nothing to see here" and blend back in to the rest of the population. I hate the thought of our talent being as good as a big target painted on our backs. Especially Jacob. People remember his face, even if they've only seen him on TV once or met him a year ago, they still remember him. He's got a presence like that. So I feel like if anyone is sharp enough to stay safe, it's him. But also that it would be really difficult for him to quietly disappear and blend in, like I could if I chose to. –Vic
Q: I know the two of you are hardcore with the working and not alot of downtime but I get a very old fashioned vibe from Jacob and im wondering what would you say was the most romantic thing he has ever done in the time you've been together?....and how did you reciprocate?
A: Oh, that's an easy one! First we had burgers at this total dive out off the Eisenhower where the suburbs get a little hayseed, then he carted me over to a civilian shooting range, where he gave me ten full clips. (And with no butch jock cops staring at me, of course, my accuracy was pretty good.)
And I gave him a hummer in the car afterward. -Vic
Notion Potion #3: Hamburger vs. Steak
July 4, 2012
Victor Bayne Q&A day 1 roundup
Q: Can I have Crash's phone number? :)
A: I think you can find it scrawled on any bathroom wall in Wicker Park. (Just kidding.) Seriously, though, he's online from the minute he rolls out of bed until the minute he, uh, leaves for that bar. You could probably find him at the Sticks and Stones site. –Vic
Q: What present will you give Jacob for his next birthday?
A: Buying a gift for someone who has more taste than you has got to be a form of torture in some countries. I might just go into an insanely pricy kitchen store and ask the sales girl what the hot new thing is...and hope we don't already own a better one. –Vic
Q: How do you feel about Jacob quitting the force AND when will we read about you next?
A: You read about me? Where? Those departmental reports are just formalities...that's what they keep telling me.
Jacob let himself be railroaded by Con Dreyfuss. I feel sorry for him. He's gonna wake up one day and realize he was manipulated, and then he's gonna be seriously pissed. –Vic
Q: Do you prefer a spirit you can see, or one you can only hear? Which one bothers you more?
A: First, be sure you don't spread it around that I can do anything more than "sense" them, okay? People can be so weird. Anyway, I really hate a ghost I can't see. They could be anywhere, you know? And if you think too hard about it, that there could be a ghost lingering around you at any time, watching every damn move you make, you'll really psych yourself out. In terms of my job, usually the chatty ones are more useful. But overall I'd rather be able to see them. –Vic
Q: When will you be joining sides with the FPMP?
A: When hell flies and pigs freeze over! – Vic
Q: Doesn't Jacob have anyone nice to set Crash up with?
A: Cripes, if Jacob knew someone nice, would he be dating me? All he knows are cops and ex-cops, and those musclebound dickheads from his gym. –Vic
Q: What do you do when you aren't working?
A: It seems like I'm always either working or sleeping, and sleep is highly underrated. But keeping the cannery clean is harder than you'd think. The brick seems to be disintegrating or something, the amount of dust it creates. And Jacob leaves trails of clothing he's just taken off everywhere he goes. Not that I complain about Jacob taking off his clothes. That never gets old.
I had a moment where I understood sudoku the other day...but by the next time I picked it up, I'd already forgotten.
Watching the news is good for a little pick-me-up. I get to see who's getting killed in everyone else's precincts. –Vic
Q: What do you really think about Jacob's new job?
A: He almost has me convinced that we'll be better off keeping an eye on the FPMP from the inside. And for the split second I thought Jacob was actually going to retire (as in stay home and watch soap operas) I nearly had a stroke...but I really wish he would have just stayed put and thought things through better. Once he makes up his mind, there's no reasoning with him. –Vic
Q: What do you remember about your birth parents? Have you considered finding out if you got any relatives?
A: It's really weird when people tell me these things they remember about being really little kids. Like Jacob swears he remembers his first day in kindergarten because he was convinced his mother had sold him to the teacher and he gave her the cold shoulder when she came to pick him up. My childhood memories are all bits and pieces. I wouldn't know where to start looking for my family. The motivation just isn't there. -Vic
July 3, 2012
Ask Victor Bayne
Your favorite neurotic medium will be answering questions this week on the FB PsyCop Fan Page. Stop by and leave him a question!
EDIT TO ADD: or just leave your question here and I'll link to it over there when I answer it!
Mnevermind needs your vote
This is the last day to vote in this round of the Rainbow Awards Cover Art contest, and the Mnevermind cover art is just a handful of votes away from being the top pick. If you enjoyed the cover art, please do give a checkmark to #1716. Vote here!
