Brief Tutorial on Photoshop Flashlight Filter

[JBHII]

OK, I got a few questions on how I used the flashlight filter in my latest "creative" Explorer II photo. Hopefully, this before and after will illustrate how I used the filter:

Here's the pre-filter, "before" photo - this is basically how the shot looked straight out of the camera, with just some crop and color correction:



It's not a bad photo - the focus came out well, and the clean, all stainless knife works well as a prop. But with a simple application of the flashlight filter (Filter > Render > Lighting Effects > Flashlight) I can give the photo a much more dramatic impact.

I centered the filter's effect on the dial, and increased the diameter of the luminosity area to extend just past the knife. The effect gives the knife a visible, but subdued view, and makes the dial look much more vibrant and alive:



You'll have to play with the settings a bit to get the desired Intensity and Luminosity, but with practice, the flashlight filter is a great way to add impact to an otherwise dull photo.

I hope this helps! I've added a wallpaper sized version of this photo to the Wallpaper section of the Rolex Reference Page - link below in my signature.

[henryhyde]

Thanks John.

Great tutorial.... I'd like to request that others post their favourite techniques for post processing as well.

Cheers,
Henry

[sb127]

That's a pretty neat little Photoshop trick John. Here's my try with the flashlight filter.

[PaP]

Is the flashlight filter a plug-in? I can't seem to find in my Photoshop CS.

Thanks

[sb127]

PaP said:

Is the flashlight filter a plug-in? I can't seem to find in my Photoshop CS.

Thanks

John...what version of Photoshop are you using? Mine may be older...it's version 7.0.

The closest thing I could find is under: Filter > Render > Lighting Effects. Then you can set the light type to "omni", "spotlight", and "directional". Maybe they renamed it.

[JBHII]

Sam said:

John...what version of Photoshop are you using? Mine may be older...it's version 7.0.

The closest thing I could find is under: Filter > Render > Lighting Effects. Then you can set the light type to "omni", "spotlight", and "directional". Maybe they renamed it.

Try the "style" drop down after you do the above. It should be there.

[JBHII]

PaP said:

Is the flashlight filter a plug-in? I can't seem to find in my Photoshop CS.

Thanks

Nope - not a plug in. Follow the directions in the tutorial. Hint: May need to save the file as a .jpg to make the filter work.

[sb127]

Found it John. You're right, it was under the "style" drop down. For some reason I was looking under the "light type" drop down. Thanks!

[PaP]

I found it as well. Thanks for the tip.

[JBHII]

OK then guys - let's see the results!!! ;D

[sb127]

John said:

OK then guys - let's see the results!!! ;D

Here's another try...

[BruceS]

I'll try it this w/e when I'm not so bloody tired!

[JBHII]

Sam - GREAT first effort! I like it a lot!

[martynjc]

I used this technique on the winning entry for the Seamaster Competition. It added a subtle flare to the lighting with the light positioned on an already burnt out area to add emphasis. I guess it worked :

original photo (no mods):



competition winner: