For christmas, my mother wanted a wes anderson inspired family portrait.
so my dad and i built a DIY scrim- (white bedsheets + PVC + lightstands to diffuse sunlight)
-for an evenly lit outdoor portrait (a trend i observed in wes anderson shots), with thrifted outfits that focused on dark neutrals with primary color pops, mostly red teal and yellow. there was a good amount of time spent studying wes anderson costume design to achieve these looks. Nearly everything was thrifted.
so my dad and i built a DIY scrim- (white bedsheets + PVC + lightstands to diffuse sunlight)
-for an evenly lit outdoor portrait (a trend i observed in wes anderson shots), with thrifted outfits that focused on dark neutrals with primary color pops, mostly red teal and yellow. there was a good amount of time spent studying wes anderson costume design to achieve these looks. Nearly everything was thrifted.
The photo was shot on aN A7IV, Sigma 24-70 F/2.8
(ISO 400, 35mm, f/9, 1/160, RAW/Auto WB)
(ISO 400, 35mm, f/9, 1/160, RAW/Auto WB)
THese settings were to mimic the 35mm, low depth of field, minimal motion blur, aesethic I observed in most Wes Anderson shots.
There was about 7 shots we liked, but we settled with 2 that we combined
Then using midjourney and photoshop AI, my mother and I slowly crafted a backdrop that mixed elements reminiscent of wes anderson set designs, especially asteroid city.
(continually giving the ai our shot to use our colors and perspective as reference)
I decided to use AI SINCE one of the stylistic traits of asteroid city THAT we liked, is the uncanny valley/theatre SET feeling, where it almost doesn't look real, but it does. which is an already existing trait of Ai.
We starting basic, and continued pulling elements we liked, to combine in photoshop and continue iteratinG.
(continually giving the ai our shot to use our colors and perspective as reference)
I decided to use AI SINCE one of the stylistic traits of asteroid city THAT we liked, is the uncanny valley/theatre SET feeling, where it almost doesn't look real, but it does. which is an already existing trait of Ai.
We starting basic, and continued pulling elements we liked, to combine in photoshop and continue iteratinG.
The above elements are straight out of midjourney, the bottom is a combination of elements we liked.
Then, after getting a blocked out design (created with a cut out of our portrait on top to make sure we weren't getting lost in the background
(a busy Bg and a busy subject is uncomfortable to look at)
I then ran it through magnific AI to add small details, and continue manually refining as well as using photoshop Ai to add details to the snow with more control.
This was the background plate we got to.
(a busy Bg and a busy subject is uncomfortable to look at)
I then ran it through magnific AI to add small details, and continue manually refining as well as using photoshop Ai to add details to the snow with more control.
This was the background plate we got to.
then we went to work, adding us in and adding elements and making sure the perspective felt correct. this process took around 4 hours.
This included contact shadows, snow manipulation, easter eggs, etc. To fit the wes anderson style, and feel all-around cohesive. photoshop AI was incredible for selecting edges and generating to help blend edges. Look at the snow around the feet and suitcases.
This included contact shadows, snow manipulation, easter eggs, etc. To fit the wes anderson style, and feel all-around cohesive. photoshop AI was incredible for selecting edges and generating to help blend edges. Look at the snow around the feet and suitcases.
then, I took this image to lightroom to color grade, focusing on reducing contrast (making sure blacks arent fully black and whites arent fully white, a common trait of film),
warming up the skin tones and yellows to create a good color contrast to the teals. As well as adjusting colors all around to get as wes anderson as possible.
Then I took that result to photosop to add a very small amount of film glow and grain on top of it all, to tie the shot together. as well as using photoshop Ai to do final cleanup on any tiny details that seemed off at all.
warming up the skin tones and yellows to create a good color contrast to the teals. As well as adjusting colors all around to get as wes anderson as possible.
Then I took that result to photosop to add a very small amount of film glow and grain on top of it all, to tie the shot together. as well as using photoshop Ai to do final cleanup on any tiny details that seemed off at all.
this was the final result
I primarily wrote this AS, what I BELIEVE TO BE, A brand new WORKFLOW, AND SHOW HOW aI CAN BE USED AS A TOOL FOR CREATIVES, NOT A REPLACEMENT TO THEM.
aS WELL AS HOW COMBINING CREATIVE SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE WITH ai ALLOWS FOR AN UNPRECEDENTED LEVEL OF CREATIVE FREEDOM.
aS WELL AS HOW COMBINING CREATIVE SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE WITH ai ALLOWS FOR AN UNPRECEDENTED LEVEL OF CREATIVE FREEDOM.
