Simple & Clear (B&W) Lighting Manipulation Guide?

[Skyve]

After my Photoshop class that I had for a semester, I decided to *cough* get *cough* Photoshop CS3 Extended. I'm really interested into Portrait/Self-Portrait editing,such as adding cool light effects,glowing lines,etc.

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Anyways, back on topic. As I said I'm more into Portrait/SelfPortrait editing. I'm looking for a simple and clear guide to make awesome light effects. There's many guides around the Internet but I can't seem to find one that is more "noob friendly". I know the basics of Photoshop but most Lighting guide out there seems to be aimed for pros,and confuses me.

I'm looking to be able to do something like this ;

Spoiler!

I just love how he manipulated the shadows and light,with the shadow covering half of the subject's face

Spoiler!

I don't mind if its a long guide,as long as the steps are clear and simple.

Hope you guys can help me

-Ex

[Noobs_Slayer]

Some Tuts:
http://images.google.lt/imgres?imgurl=h ... _AbM7pT6CA
http://10steps.sg/photoshop/create-a-fa ... ng-effect/
http://10steps.sg/photoshop/making-of-a-sexy-humanoid/
http://psdlearning.com/2008/06/the-garden-part-1/
http://photoshoptutorials.ws/photoshop- ... ation.html
http://10steps.sg/photoshop/creating-a- ... on-effect/
http://images.google.lt/imgres?imgurl=h ... 8%26um%3D1

[Kraq]

Or, you could expirement and find out that Burn and Dodge tool can do this.
Also, black soft brush on soft light blending mode.

[Skyve]

Thanks for the guides Noobs_Slayer =) I'll also try some some stuff with Dodge & Burn tool. Atm Im playing around with "Render Light".

[Kraq]

Burn and dodge imo is tons better than Render>Light.
It has a more natural effect.

[Skyve]

Ok,Burn and Dodge kinda just makes the color Darker or Brighter =/. I really want to be able to make a huge shadows just like in the first picture. Hope you guys understand me =P

[dom]

Like this? (quick, like 3 mins)

Spoiler!

[Skyve]

Like this? (quick, like 3 mins)

Spoiler!

Yes,this exactly.

[Skyve]

BUMP,please show me how to oh great dom

[Brago]

Image>Adjustment> Black White XD, im working on
something but i need a good ghost :[

[Melez]

I believe it was all done with burn/dodge tool only. As well as using b/w gradient maps on dif opacities and layer modes helps.

[0l3n]

I believe it was all done with burn/dodge tool only. As well as using b/w gradient maps on dif opacities and layer modes helps.

My guess aswell, the burn and dodge tools are your best friends.

[dom]

1) levels
2) Contrast
3) Burn/dodge tools
4) levels again
5) Contrast again
6) Colour > select high/mid/low ranges and add highlights in monochrome
7) blend highlights
gradients
9) levels

For stuff like this you shouldn't follow tutorials. Just play with the tools and keep practicing.

[Noobs_Slayer]

Filter -> Render -> Lightining effects -> Soft Omni