Almost immediately after posting my previous blog update, a variation of the semi black and white image popped into the empty space between my ears. Why not add a beam of light, and where it strikes the model, have it restore her color?

This is easy to do. I drew the white beam of light on its own layer in Photoshop, then stretched it with Free Transform and adjusted the layer opacity. Next I added a mask to the black and white layer, and painted with a soft black brush over the area where the light hits our model Laurel in order to allow the color below to show through:

Laurel's original color is restored where the light strikes her.

I wanted more contrast between the semi black and white and the area of color, so I simply placed a Curves adjustment layer over the black and white layer and pulled the midpoint of the curve downward to darken.

I am always seeking new and creative ways to emphasize the already incredible beauty of the models I work with. Hopefully, the dreaded GWC (guy with camera) moniker will never be applied to me!