[BTS Video] Kevin Kozicki Uses Pointsettias For High End Beauty Photos

[BTS Video] Kevin Kozicki Uses Pointsettias For High End Beauty Photos

One of the biggest rewards of our 2011 Behind The Scenes Contest is we finally get to meet our readers and see what they enjoy shooting. Meet Kevin Kozicki; he is a great fashion photographer based out of sunny Los Angeles. In his contest entry, Kevin wanted to use poinsettia leaves in some sort of beauty themed image while not going in the typical Christmas/Holiday route. The images Kevin produced are outstanding and his lighting is perfect for this type of project. I do wish Kevin would have explained his lighting a bit more but it’s also nice to hear photographers talk about the overall production ideas because they are equally as important and often overlooked. If you have any questions for Kevin, leave them in the comments below and click the full post to see a few of the final images.

pointsettia fashion shoot 2 [BTS Video] Kevin Kozicki Uses Pointsettias For High End Beauty Photos

pointsettia fashion shoot 3 [BTS Video] Kevin Kozicki Uses Pointsettias For High End Beauty Photos

January 2, 2012

Patrick Hall

2011 BTS Contest

Fashion

Portraits

Strobe light

Studio

http://www.facebook.com/max.leitner1 Max Leitner

Very nice! Can someone tell me what he is doing in Photoshop at 4:12?
http://www.digitalqmedia.com Chuck Navarro

I’m not too sure what exactly he’s doing but it kinda looks like he’s using the levels adjustment while holding alt and over brightening to check the blending on his cloning work on the background.
Kevin Kozicki

Thanks! I call it going solar. I make a curves adjustment layer and just make a whole bunch of waves in going almost to the top and bottom. The colors go all wonky but It overly exaggerates tonality and make it easier clone out things and follow the same path of tones on the layers below. Then ya just click the adjustment layer off and the cloning should match what its “supposed” to look like better than your eyes can really tell.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Wouter-van-der-Linde/1118709648 Wouter van der Linde

No lighting info :(
http://www.facebook.com/nwhurst Nathan W. Hurst

beautiful images. Would have loved to have learned more about the lighting in the shoot especially since it was mentioned in the description from fstoppers.

I noticed the larger octobox and the fact that it was not pointed directly at the model. I’ve seen this done with umbrella’s, (where the umbrellas are literally pointed like just passing by the model, to get a softer diffusion of the light. Is this the same concept?
http://twitter.com/TheDarkRoomCo The Dark Room Co.

Excellent!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=754554855 Edd Carlile

That was great.
Anonymous

really enjoyed this one!!

anybody know what soundtrack was used?
Kevin Kozicki

Yeah it was pretty much being feathered for a very subtle fill effect. My key light on the first 2 images was a gridded beauty dish, with the big softbox angled mostly away to fill in the shadow side.
Anonymous

Kevin great work the second image is mesmerizing. Very cool concept as well.
Anonymous

Yes, excellent work! i really like the second picture the most.Is the lightning or the make up responsible for the shine on her cheekbones? Because i cant get the shine like this with my rimlightning´. I would be interested in further information on the lightning, because in my opinion it is outstanding!
Best regards jan
http://www.facebook.com/people/Yang-Gao/759205172 Yang Gao

Wonderful photos. The beads are not prominent at web scale but would be interesting nonetheless.
Take a little bit of water and mix it with … ? Can somebody help please?
http://www.facebook.com/alvaro.perezd Alvaro Pérez

Beautiful picture!!!!
congratulations
Anonymous

Wow! The images are crafted with light and dark! When I first saw them I figured you had ‘top of the line’ expensive lights! Heck, those are Alien Bees and foamcore boards! I have that! I am blown away by your artistic eye!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Fernando-Garcia/705346784 Fernando Garcia

Amazing work!
http://www.facebook.com/nwhurst Nathan W. Hurst

thanks @google-8b7be8af8e5389be041cf3aafb52ac27:disqus great work =-)
http://www.facebook.com/nwhurst Nathan W. Hurst

thanks @google-8b7be8af8e5389be041cf3aafb52ac27:disqus great work =-)
Anonymous

I have been trying to find and buy the 4′x8′ foamcore board HOLDERS like the ones you used in your video. Do you know the name they are called, or a source when I can purchase 4?
Doing searched for ‘foamcore board holders’ does not produce the metal ones like you use. They weren’t specially made were they?thxDebbi
Augusto Mc Carthy

Great Video!!! which software is used before Photoshop? thx August
Kevin Kozicki

Haha thanks. To me, it’s not about all the expensive gear. Is it nice? Yea some profotos would be cool. But more expensive lights don’t make better pictures. There are other benefits to them but…
Kevin Kozicki

Haha ummm are you talking about A-Clamps? You get them at home depot? At one point there is a false wall that was custom built in the studio but I just use it to block some bounce at one point. At what time in the video do you see them?
Kevin Kozicki

Thanks! It’s Capture One Pro 6. I use it for tether and initial color adjustments.
Anonymous

I agree with most the 2nd image is definitely my favorite. I like the blue undertones and pale skin.

Great idea turned into gorgeous images. Kudos to everyone for excellent work! Thanks for sharing!!!!
Juan Kis

Awesome Job Kevin!, very creative and a killer final product!
http://twitter.com/THEGREATZEEE THE GREAT ZEEE

thanks kev for that gem. i was wondering myself
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1426693023 David Cha

can i have yo numba?
you sexy