Task: Make The Model’s Slacks Black
Who doesn’t love a funky pattern? The slacks the model is wearing in the ‘Before’ photo are fun. However, in the context of the brochure’s design, the pattern would have been extremely distracting. For that reason, the project landed on my desk. The retouching request was simple: remove the pattern and make the slacks black. A simple request, but getting to the final image was not simply done by making a selection and filling it with black. There is more to it than that.
Creating Light & Shadow
Making an object black requires the understanding of two important concepts. Firstly, that a black-colored object is never actually solid black. (Unless it’s a black hole!) And secondly, the color, shape, and form of any black object—or black fabric in this case—is created by light being absorbed and reflected from its surface.
Let me show you what I mean. Take a look at the image on the left. I made a selection of the pants and filled it with black. As you can see, it looks like a solid mass. There is no shape or dimension.
Now take a look at the image on the right, a close-up of the final image. There are varying tones of gray and a black. This creates the feel of subtle folds and wrinkles in the fabric. There is now shape and dimension. It looks realistic rather than a cardboard cut-out.
Not Seeing The Difference Between the Two Images?
It’s important to note, if you’re viewing these images on a high-end, but uncalibrated monitor, or on a standard monitor, you may not be able to see the difference between the two images. Increasing the brightness of the display or device may help.
The Takeaway
Requesting that the color of an object to changed to black is a simple request. The devil is in the subtle details. It takes an observational eye for how light creates shape, and nuanced edits for the end result to look natural and realistic.
The Tear Sheet
Pictured here: the final result as it appeared on the brochure. A fun, interactive design that incorporates an accordion fold, a die-cut, and a clever layout with the photograph appearing on the front and back of the brochure.
Client: Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA
Art Director: Marcia Ciro
Copyright Belongs to the Respective Image Owners
