Research current and recent photographic illustration practitioners and styles and identify several (at least 3) which appeal to you personally, or you feel would be useful from a commercial point of view.
I guess I have to start with some sort of definition of what a photographic illustration is.
"The terms illustration photography and photographic illustration, however, suggest a more limited meaning [than the dictionary definition of illustration] – namely, that photographs in this category are more than faithful images of objects. In addition to representing objects, such photographs are expected to communicate something less tangible to the views, such as a concept or a mood." ("Illustration Photography" by George Cochran in Focal Encyclopedia of Photography: Digital Imaging, Theory and Applications, History, and Science, pg. 324, 4th Edn. (2007), Focal Press)
"Within the industry of photojournalism, a controversial photo presentation style – “photo illustration” – has been debated for its effect on the credibility of the industry since its formal introduction to the news business in 1976 when the term “photographic illustration” first appeared in a photojournalism text book (Edom, 1976) and also, in the same year, was added to the Picture of Year Competition as a new category (Brill, 1993)." These comments are illustrated in relation to some new coverage that included faked images such as, "cover photo of Martha Stewart posing for the magazine before she was released from prison, but the photo turned out to be her face added onto a model’s body"; "front-page composite photo of President Clinton and Cuban leader Fidel Castro about to shake hands. The Clinton and Castro photos were taken separately at different times and locations but digitally pasted together"; and "photo showing a teenage schoolgirl snorting drugs at a school locker to go with a teenage drug problem story. The whole scene involving the girl was staged". (Photo Illustration in U.S. Newsmagazines during the Past Three Decades, PhD dissertation by Yuk-Kwong Edmund Lo, (2008) Scripps College of Communication of Ohio University, http://etd.ohiolink.edu/send-pdf.cgi/Lo%20YukKwong%20Edmund.pdf?ohiou1215544026, viewed 5 Aug 2012.)
"Photo illustrations differ from news photos in content, creation, and purpose. They are staged or produced, and are manufactured situations. They often are set up in a studio and are used for fashion, food, and product promotion. When an existing photograph is altered for artistic purposes, such as by adding or deleting content, it also is considered a photo illustration. Environmental portraits shot on location are not considered photo illustrations." (Photo Guidelines, University of Wisconsin, http://universityrelations.wisc.edu/policies/photo-guidelines.php, viewed 5 Aug 2012.)
One of the first things I must say is that I'm not a big user of Photoshop nor of illustrative techniques. I'm not unaware of the techniques having several books and magazines relating to illustrative techniques I've not taken the time to learn about them and tend to stick primarily with Lightroom for my image enhancement.
All three of these practitioners have several things in common. They are all professionals in their field; they are creative; they get lots of publicity via social networking and email subscriptions to them; they provide lots of free tip, tricks and tutorials showing the breadth of their knowledge; and by having built up a name for themselves are able to sell video, disks, books, ebooks and their services.
The first photographic illustration practitioner I'd like to discuss is Matt Kloskowski. Matt is the Education and curriculum Developer for the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP), author of books, videos and instructor of seminars and classes on Photoshop. His latest book Photoshop Compositing Secrets: Unlocking the Key to Perfect selections & Amazing Photoshop Effects for Totally Realistic Composites (2012) 380 pgs.
I've always found Matt's articles and videos to be very informative, clear and concise. He is true to that teaching style in the book. He starts out with "10 things you need to know about compositing" which include, starting with a background or the subject; using stock photos; selection in photoshop; lighting is everything; secret weapons - plug-ins; and more. From there he teaches the reader by building on techniques and sharing tips of how to get the best out of the techniques and the rational behind them.
As far as style of illustration is concerned Matt, I would say, is mostly involved, in this book at least, with portraiture that includes individuals or several groups of individuals being composited into a single image. He takes as much care to prep the backgrounds as he does with the individuals. Some of the chapter headings include Creating Motion; Professional Office; Family/Group Portrait; Live Concert; Movie Poster; Adding Illustrations; and Advanced commercial Compositing. There are downloadable image so the reader can practice the techniques.
The second practitioner is Scott Kelby. Scott is a photographer, designer, author and President of the NAPP and many other credentials relating to Photoshop. The aspect of his work I want to look at is found in his book Professional Portrait Retouching Techniques for Photographers using Photoshop (2011) 351 pgs.
Like Kloskowski the Kelby book is clear concise with easy to follow step-by-step instruction, illustrations and photographs. The topic of this book although portraits it deals with retouching of the individual subject rather than compositing several different images. The broad topics covered are Retouching Eyes, retouching skin; Reshaping Facial Features; Retouching Hair; Retouching the Lips and Mouth; Slimming and Trimming; and his retouching Checklist with his 5/10/30 minute Retouch processes.The checklist has 60 points in 5 areas face, skin, mouth & lips, hair and body. His down to earth comment about the checklist, "... hopefully you're not going to do all 60 things to any single photo (or you have an entirely different problem. Well, your subject does) ..." There are downloadable image so the reader can practice the techniques.
Alex Koloskov's work keeps showing up on various photographic related Facebook pages and I've been following him for a year or more on both his sites. Koloskov http://www.koloskov.com which is his commercial website for product, jewellery, food and liquid photography. The Photigy website http://www.photigy.com is the real fun stuff where he provides tutorials and behind the scenes look at his sometimes unbelievable work. His work with liquids is what fascinates me the most. His video on the making of the Google logo using paint is great. http://tinyurl.com/7qu89th the video is 2:53 min. The creativity of people never ceases to amaze me.
Tutorial for Creating a Live Concert using Photoshop Composting. Source Photoshop Compositing Secrets: Unlocking the Key to Perfect Selections & Amazing Photoshop Effects Totally Realistic Composites, by Matt Kloskowski (2012) ISBN 978-0-321-80823-3, Published by Peachpit Press.
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