Every now and then I like to play around with photo disciplines outside of my comfort zone. I recently purchased a Mazda CX5 and thought I would introduce it to the world with a fun photoshoot. I wanted something very dramatic and a city backdrop. I knew I wanted there to be a sunset sky and for the headlights to be on.
This is the final image.
Mazda CX-5 shot with Birmingham city backdrop.
Images I used to get there.
Original HDR shot of Mazda.
Birmingham city scape that I shot a couple of years ago.
Here’s how I got there.
I used Photoshop’s new Sky Replacement filter to change out the sky to something more dramatic and sunset-y. I copied the highlight and shadow ranges from the sky to match color tones in the rest of the image. I used motion blur and added light streaks to make the train appear like it was moving. The city-scape is from an original image that I shot a couple of years back. I flipped the image so that the light was coming from the right direction, and removed the birds and scaled it all down. I used three different types of brushes and light layers to enhance the headlights.
And there you have it. It was actually a relatively easy and super fun edit. I love being creative with layer in photoshop. Projects like these give me an opportunity to play with new tools in the program without the stress of having to deliver to a client if it all goes horribly wrong.
Next time I will make a video of the shoot and edit processes so you can see things in action.
Second Location:
This location is not as dramatic. However, I loved the graffiti wall and the existing tire marks that all frame the Mazda very nicely. I think if I were shooting this for the client, I would use a red car though.
Mazda CX-5 in Birmingham, AL
Here is a BTS of me shooting the Mazda in a second location.