Table Of ContentPHOTOGRAPH LIKE A THIEF
Glyn Dewis
www.glyndewis.com
Editor: Jocelyn Howell Project manager: Lisa Brazieal Marketing coordinator: Mercedes Murray
Interior design, layout, and type: WolfsonDesign Cover graphics, interior graphics, and title font: Dave
Clayton Cover design: Dave Clayton Lighting diagrams throughout the book created with Sylights
software ISBN: 978-1-68198-182-6
1st Edition (1st printing, April 2017) © 2017 Glyn Dewis Rocky Nook Inc.
1010 B Street, Suite 350
San Rafael, CA 94901
USA www.rockynook.com
Distributed in the U.S. by Ingram Publisher Services Distributed in the UK and Europe by
Publishers Group UK
Library of Congress Control Number: 2016941045
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Printed in China
This book is dedicated to my wonderful brother, Liam.
Being back in each other’s lives after such a terribly long time has shown
how big of a hole we both had in our hearts, a hole that has now well and
truly been filled.
I’m so incredibly proud to see the man, husband, and father you’ve
become.
I love you.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Anne: You give me reason to keep on keeping on, and having you beside
me on this journey makes me feel like the luckiest man alive. You’re my
world and I love you more than I can possibly explain! xxx Liam and Bev:
We’ve missed so many years with each other, but thankfully that has now
changed. Every day I feel truly blessed that we are all back in each other’s
lives.
Shannon, Will, and Ben: To be your uncle is the gift that keeps on giving.
We love you all so very much and are always here for you. Raising a glass
to the future, Uncle Glyn and Aunty Anne xxx Will: I’ll never be able to
thank you enough for bringing our family back together. What you did was
so incredibly brave. You stepped into the unknown and I’m so glad you
did. Uncle Glyn xxx Dave Clayton: It’s hard to believe how many great
times we’ve had and how much has happened in such a short span of
time. Thanks for everything, buddy. You’re one in a million and I’ll be
forever thankful that Scott had a hunch we’d get on and should meet.
How right was he?!?! Looking forward to what’s ahead.
Scott Kelby: Guv’nor, what can I say that I haven’t found myself saying so
many times over the past years? Friendship, advice, guidance, support,
and trust. To say thank you just doesn’t come close, but I think you know
what I mean and how much.
Alan Hess: You are, without a doubt, one of life’s great people! I just wish
we could hang out more often. Always good times, always a laugh. I’m
proud to have you as a friend.
Joel Grimes: You’ll never know how much you have and continue to inspire,
educate, and motivate me to be the best “me” I can be. You set the
standard and to have both Amy and you as friends is the icing on the
cake.
Scott Cowlin & Ted Waitt, a.k.a. the Dynamic Duo (Rocky Nook): Thank you
for hearing me out and helping to bring the pages we have in our hands to
reality. Your professionalism and creativity is second to none. I’ll be
forever grateful.
Jocelyn Howell (Rocky Nook): You’ve made writing this book a dream,
thanks to your keen eye and pride in the end product. The pleasure has
most definitely been mine. Thank you.
Jessica Tiernan (Rocky Nook): Thank you so much for all the support and
promotion along the way. Writing this book really has been a fun journey.
Barry Payne: You epitomise what being a friend is all about and if everyone
had you in their life, theirs would be so much better for it.
Aaron Blaise: Damn, I wish we lived closer! Our “brother from another
mother.” I feel blessed that this industry has brought us together.
Brian Worley: If anyone can, Brian can. Thank you so much, mate, for your
constant support and friendship.
Moose Peterson: I could sit and talk with you for literally hours! From your
closing presentations at Photoshop World to your personal projects, I’m
constantly moved by the emotion you are able to bring to your work.
Steven Cook: Dedicated, talented, professional, and loyal are just some of
the many words I use to describe you. It’s a pleasure to know you and to
be your friend.
Jesús Ramirez: You have talent in abundance and you’re a bloomin’ nice
guy, too. Welcome to the gang, brother.
The Flash Centre / Elinchrom: Thank you so much for the constant ongoing
support. Working with you and your kick a$$ gear makes my creative life
so much easier.
Loxley Colour (Ian, Calum, Ashley, and all . . .): You folks ROCK! ‘nuff said!
Adobe, 3Legged Thing, CRU & CHNO Technology, Phottix, Wacom,
TetherTools, Rogue, Benq, Topaz, and all: Your vision and drive to create the
very best “tool” leaves me forever in your debt.
Mark “The Markster” Armstrong: You truly are a top fella! Thanks as always
for looking in.
Austin Kleon: You don’t know me from Adam, but should you, in a bizarre
twist of fate, ever happen to read this, thank you! Your books are
AWESOME and have had a huge impact on me and how I work.
And finally, a HUGE thanks to everyone who has stood in front of my
camera and put their trust in me, without which I wouldn’t be typing the
words for the pages in this book.
CONTENTS
Foreword
Introduction
1 PHOTOGRAPH LIKE A THIEF
Developing a Personal Style
Copying Others
Finding Inspiration
Learning from the Process
2 REVERSE ENGINEERING
3 GEAR TALK
Camera
Studio Lighting
Small Flash
Small Flash Modifiers
Tripod
Tether Tools
Light Meter
File Backup System
Monitor
Pen and Graphics Tablet
Plugins
Printing Lab
4 MY COMMONLY USED TECHNIQUES
Invisible Black Background
Colorizing
Contrast
Dodge & Burn
Skin Smoothing
Selections & Cutouts – Tutorial 1
Selections & Cutouts – Tutorial 2
Amazing Eyes
Building Depth
Frequency Separation
Cartoon or Painterly Effect
5 ANNIE LEIBOVITZ INSPIRED
Reverse Engineering
The Setup
Camera Settings
Gear Guide
Small Flash Gear Guide
Post-Processing
6 INTERNET INSPIRED
Reverse Engineering
Camera Settings
Gear Guide
Post-Processing
7 JOEY LAWRENCE INSPIRED
Reverse Engineering
The Setup
Camera Settings
Gear Guide
Small Flash Gear Guide
Post-Processing
8 WORLD WAR II INSPIRED
The Setup
Camera Settings
Gear Guide
Small Flash Gear Guide
Post-Processing
9 ACTION MOVIE INSPIRED
Reverse Engineering
The Setup
Camera Settings
Gear Guide
Post-Processing
10 NICK BRANDT INSPIRED
Camera Settings
Gear Guide
Post-Processing
11 MOVIE POSTER INSPIRED
Reverse Engineering
The Setup
Camera Settings
Gear Guide
Small Flash Gear Guide
Post-Processing
12 BOOK COVER INSPIRED
Reverse Engineering
The Setup
Camera Settings
Gear Guide
Small Flash Gear Guide
Post-Processing
13 MOVIE POSTER INSPIRED II
Reverse Engineering
The Setup
Camera Settings
Gear Guide
Post-Processing
14 GROUP SHOT – K.I.S.S. INSPIRED
The Setup
Camera Settings
Gear Guide
Small Flash Gear Guide
Post-Processing
