EA Sports Cover Effect, Photo editing

Hi everyone-

This is something that I have been curious about for years. On the covers of the EA Sports games, the images that are used of the current pro on the cover are great images, but seem to have a highlight effect and graininess to them. I have been trying to figure out exactly how it's done, and figured it was just using layer masks and painting in highlighs and playing with the blend modes. Does anyone know the exact way on how it is done?



Here are a few examples of what I mean;

http://assets.espn.go.com/media/videogames/photo/2007/0621/Madden08_cover_450.jp g

http://www.ripten.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/brett-the-jet-madden09-cover.jp g

http://www.metal-forever.it/forum/imagehost/1/cover/d69c881630e99415c640f3d2babc 8986.jpg



Thanks for your help and suggestions!
EA Sports Cover Effect, Photo editing
Of the 20+ ways to do this, try going to Lab color mode and increase contrast in the lightness channel.
EA Sports Cover Effect, Photo editing
kyle,



See this recent thread:
''How do i get this photo effect''



And this suggested software: http://www.topazlabs.com/topazlabs/03products/topaz_adjust



It may answer your question.



Neil

Neil-

Thanks for the reply! I am liking the topaz software and will be giving it a try. They should be giving you a little kick back from their sales!

$$$%26lt;br /%26gt;%26lt;br /%26gt;%26lt;g%26gt;%26lt;br /%26gt;%26lt;br /%26gt;Neil
I didn't know you worked for topazlabs Neil.

Good grief!

The Topaz examples are quite the most horrible thing that I have seen in a long time.



:(

B)

its interesting. Its sort of that video game look or something that looks like it was 3d animated. Its not a bad thing. its just a look. Not something you would use much, theoretically.

%26gt;The Topaz examples are quite the most horrible thing that I have seen in a long time.



Ditto.



That's what I meant when I typed
''Good grief!'' in #6.

It's called the Dave Hill look the one who started it.

http://www.davehillphoto.com/

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2008/03/beers-with-dave-hill.html



If you google ''Dave Hill look'', you'll find Photoshop tutorials.



Not everybody likes it, and it doesn't work for every photos. It has a lot to do with the right lighting otherwise the effect won't look good.



Scott Kelby just did a shoot to get that effect and he explains how he did it.

http://www.scottkelby.com/blog/2009/archives/2946

http://www.scottkelby.com/blog/2009/archives/2968

Not my taste either but, if you have customers, you have to go along with their taste!



Nothing is ''horrible'' and the customer is always right.

Thanks to everyone who responded! It's definitely a unique look that has it's pros and cons. I have had a couple clients request something like that so hence the curiosity.



Thanks again everyone!

Of course, I have no relationship with Topaz-Whatever software, or with any commercial software developer beyond my voluntary hosting within these forums. But it does seem to offer a solution that the OP can use.



I consider the Topaz results an effect that can work in some posters, ''art'', or in advertising -- but it is not something that I would use in my personal photography.



Neil

Of course, I have no relationship with Topaz-Whatever software, or with any commercial software developer beyond my voluntary hosting within these forums. But Topaz does seem to offer a solution that the OP can use.



I consider the Topaz results an effect that can work in some posters, gaming, ''art'', or in advertising -- but it is not something that I would use in my personal photography.



Neil

Of course, the key thing to remember with this or other effects, that to have them come off well, the original photo has to be properly planned, composed and lighted.



Neil

Of course, the key thing to remember with this or other effects, is that to have them come off well, the original photo has to be properly planned, composed and lighted.



Neil

I think the effect can be very interesting.

However, with the introduction of LucisArt and Topaz, it is getting over used.

Just like the Dragan effect and the illustrated look before that.