How to photograph a fine art architectural image and process it in Photoshop

See how I create fine art architectural images in New York City. Follow my Photoshop workflow. Music by Andy Cohen.
Photoshop tutorial starts at 6:50

[@danielhenry7963]

I'm smiling as I write this because I've been chasing clouds around Manhattan all afternoon after work (yes today, May 4th). Every time I see them across the river (I live on Staten Island) I start smiling and hop in my car and drive over. Great work my friend...I'm learning from you!!!

[@JCImagesBehindtheShot]

That is fantastic David! Do you post on IG? Would love to see your work.

[@danielhenry7963]

@danhenrynewyork

[@marcelopinto8713]

Great Work!!! thanks

[@johnharrington6357]

Love your architectural images and in particular the real axed manner you explain everything. Keep up the great work and stay safe

[@JCImagesBehindtheShot]

Thanks John!! You too friend!

[@DrEye-be3pj]

Thank you very much for showing your photographic workflow. A lot to learn!!!

[@JCImagesBehindtheShot]

Thanks for the kind words Ralph! Hope you are safe and healthy my friend!

[@MarkSpomer]

Hey Jay, I was rewatching one of my old videos I hadn't seen for years and your video came up at the end as a "suggested video"! Really like your comps and creations! Makes me want to come back to Manhattan! Keep up the great work.

[@JCImagesBehindtheShot]

Thanks so much for the kind words, Mark! I really appreciate it.

[@OmarHernandez-zi7qf]

Great video. Easy to understand. Great job.

[@JCImagesBehindtheShot]

Thanks Omar!!

[@henrimontesinos1506]

Hello Jay, I am french and i follow you since a long time. Your job and yours tutorials are very great and help me very much because they are very complete and Simply to undertstand. Bravo monsieur !

[@JCImagesBehindtheShot]

Merci Henri! Hope you are well my friend!

[@frankdeblon5507]

Thanks a lot Jay. I learn so much because you explain so clear. I admire your work ! Stay safe.

[@JCImagesBehindtheShot]

Thank you, Frank. I appreciate the kind words!

[@regryan8044]

JC I am slowly getting it,, great stuff. Its a pity Melbourne is in lockdown.

[@JCImagesBehindtheShot]

Hopefully things open up soon. Can't wait to see what you come up with. Are you on IG?

[@juancarlosguzman2827]

Awesome video JC , thanks for sharing I want to start shooting architectural and follow your techniques

[@MichaelKantormusic]

Great videos!

[@ttanarugsachock6745]

Wow, magnificent piece of art.

[@judyn.adhitianto3887]

Very helpful tutorial! Thanks a lot

[@JCImagesBehindtheShot]

Thanks Judy!!

[@scotty4418]

Nice work Jay, hopefully will get my trip to NYC rebooked soon. Had this location marked to visit last week so it was nice to see it through your lens none the less

[@JCImagesBehindtheShot]

Thanks Scotty. Let me know when you do get to New York and we can compare ideas of the best places to shoot. Would be happy to give you suggestions

[@scotty4418]

@@JCImagesBehindtheShot Thanks Jay, appreciate the kind offer and will be in touch when I get the opportunity to return

[@tjo333]

Thx, great tutorial (again)

[@JCImagesBehindtheShot]

Thanks Theo!!

[@holgerglaab8182]

Thumb up!

[@Nasarullahbaig]

May I ask you one question, is there any legal restrictions to take pictures of these high buildings in NYC, also do which lens you recommend for these pictures? Thanks for your quality contents.

[@JCImagesBehindtheShot]

No legal restrictions. However, quite often I have to be outside of the property line. I have been chased away by some security people at various locations. Property line is not always marked but sometimes it is.

[@Nasarullahbaig]

@@JCImagesBehindtheShot soon I am visiting NYC, wish I can meet you in person, please when you make your next video on same subject, do give us little information of property lines, that how we can avoid any issue. Thanks again for your amazing contents.

[@peterelling-jordt71]

Stunning how you create these images - I would like to use the way of doing this on classical cars and motorcycles - any hints?

[@ralstondarlington2525]

For my part I am learning that I am missing a trick by not applying gradients opportunely to my layer masks when I light paint cars and bikes. In fact I found these videos because I was wondering how I could light paint a building, and what I now realize is that it is not necessary. For architectural photography you can achieve a similar result by using one photo with multiple selections (as shown here by Jay). In the case of vehicles however, because they are not geometrical objects like a building, I think conventional light painting is a more suitable technique: i.e. take multiple photos each with its own stroke of the lamp. These exposures are then effectively individual selections, illuminating specific parts of the vehicle, which are then composited using masked layers in Photoshop.

[@peterelling-jordt71]

@@ralstondarlington2525 - Thank you, maybe I will with light painting... A new challenge. Thanks...

[@poweilin]

Great tutorials. Thank You. Could you please share how many stops of ND lens & how long of exposures that you use for this cloudy morning shoot? Thank You

[@JCImagesBehindtheShot]

Hi Richard. I used a 10-stop ND filter. I just checked on one image and it was 86 seconds.

[@richardrizzo_photography]

Another great tutorial Jay, hey we're looking a bit like shaggy these days. :)

[@JCImagesBehindtheShot]

Too true. Hope you are well!

[@richardrizzo_photography]

@@JCImagesBehindtheShot so far so good, thank you.

[@l.c.margaritou-tsokanos3692]

great video ,many thanks !!! which lenses did you used for this progect?

[@JCImagesBehindtheShot]

Thanks. I should have mentioned it. I used a 16-35 f/4 Nikon lens for these shots.

[@dqmoser4128]

Always pick up some PS knowledge when you post these tutorials. thanks for taking the time. unrelated to your photo magic -- did you know that the Citibank building was basically rebuilt on the inside after it was constructed and occupied? they made an engineering mistake and had to add internal trusses, and to stop swaying there is a 400 ton stabilizing weight suspended inside the triangular top. Well, maybe you DID know that. Re: the hat/hair? Same here. Next will be the top knot if we're going to live like this for awhile longer.

[@JCImagesBehindtheShot]

I was just thinking about the top knot today! (Man bun?) I did hear that story about the Citi building. I believe they discovered the issue as a hurricane was heading toward the eat coast.

[@morpheusthyrux]

Hi Jay, wants to know which PS tool is best for precision selection when you are working on sky and encounter buildings which may have arches, curves and starlight lines

[@nomadasan]

Pen tool

[@DiviPhotos]

Take the hat off let me see if you really look like shaggy

[@JCImagesBehindtheShot]

I might need a ponytail first! Thanks for watching!