Calvin Hollywood's "Freaky Detail"

[Xenedis]

A German photographer by the very cool name of Calvin Hollywood some time ago devised a Photoshop post-processing technique called "Freaky Detail".

Hollywood's technique intensifies local contrast and brings out details.

It is very handy when applied to subject matter such as rock shelves, timber jetties, or any other weathered, texture-laden surface whose details you wish to enhance.

Here is how to apply it:

1. Stamp visible all layers (Opt-Cmnd-Shift-E) and rename the new layer to "Merged".
2. Duplicate the "Merged" layer (Cmnd-J) and rename the layer to "Freaky Detail Processing".
3. Change the blend mode of the "Freaky Detail Processing" layer to vivid light.
4. Invert the "Freaky Detail Processing" layer (Cmnd-I).
5. Apply surface blur (Filter -> Blur -> Surface Blur -> 40/40) to the "Freaky Detail Processing" layer.
6. Stamp visible all layers (Opt-Cmnd-Shift-E) and rename the new layer to "Merged with Freaky Detail".
7. Change the blend mode of the "Merged with Freaky Detail" layer to soft light.
8. Turn off visibility of initial "Freaky Detail Processing" layer.
9. Add a layer mask to the "Merged with Freaky Detail" layer, invert the mask (Cmnd-I) and brush in the effect.

The above keystrokes are Mac-centric. If you use a Windows machine, substitute Opt with Alt, and Cmnd with Ctrl.

To save a lot of time, I created a Photoshop action to automate the process.

If you wish to download my Freaky Detail Photoshop action, click here.

[ollie]

Awesome thanks for that. I have heard about it but never found a link to it.

[old dog]

show us some examples if you would X man.

[Xenedis]

show us some examples if you would X man.

I've used it on the rocks in these images:






I also used it to bring out more texture and details in these images:






There are others, but that should hopefully give you a sample of how I've used it.

[old dog]

thanks for that. Now I know what you mean. I like the effect on the rocks.

[Xenedis]

thanks for that. Now I know what you mean. I like the effect on the rocks.

It's great on rock shelves, but it's a technique that really does require moderation; otherwise, the result is too much contrast which takes on the appearance of overdone HDR images.

[Zarniwoop]

Wow,. Heard of this mentioned in another thread and had to find the technique. Great idea. Thank you for sharing