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DIGITAL SNAPSHOTS
How’d they shoot that?
Observer staff photographer Todd Sumlin
tells how he made the
“Bowling on the Brain” illustration for last week’s E&T cover
“Bowling on the Brain” illustration for last week’s E&T cover
By PETER WEINBERGER
Q: How did you get the idea to make the
photo?
Several editors and designers met for an
art planning meeting to discuss the concept. The working
headline focused on bowling on the brain. From that point, we
got the idea for holes in someone’s head.
Q: What type of camera, lens and exposure
did you use?
Nikon D2H, 70-200mm zoom, 1/250, f4, ISO
400. I lit the image using studio “hot lights,”
which are incandescent floodlights. These allow for more
control to create a spot light effect.
Q: What other technical adjustments did you
make?
We have two guys in the newsroom that had
shaved heads. We used the person with a lighter skin tone to
make the holes more prominent. Using PhotoShop CS, I combined
two photos, the head and a bowling ball. I did this by cutting
out one hole in the ball and simply pasting it on the head.
Since the ball was neon yellow, I matched the color of the hole
to the skin tone. Using layers, I duplicated the first hole 2
more times.
Q: What was the hardest part about making
the image?
Changing the color of the ball to match the
skin tone. It had to look realistic with depth to the image. It
ended up being easier than I thought because the concept was
simple.
Q: Any advice you would give?
Don’t let technology intimidate you,
getting started can lead to a successful visual.
The key for creating Todd Sumlin's
illustration for E&T, was a simple concept, the right model
and good Photoshop skills.
