If you are fond of photography at an amateur or professional level, you may have heard or seen the amazing works of Andrzej Dragan. His works are high-contrast portraits with their own color style. The effect of his work is shocking and captivates attention. He reveals the details that can not be seen with the naked eye. The same effect can be created in Photoshop in a few simple steps. Let’s get a look.
In the screenshot below, you can see the processing portrait. If you want to use the same image, then you can download the photo here.
Final result
Step 1
First create a correction layer. Levels (Levels), apply about the same settings that I applied. Basically, we enhance the contrast with this correction.
Step 2
Next, let’s create an adjustment layer. Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation) and reduce saturation. If you want, you can in this step also correct color shades using the parameter Color tone (Hue).
Step 3
Next, let’s create an adjustment layer. Curves (Curves) for further correction of contrast and light highlights. You need to add three points to the curve line and apply the correction, as shown in the screenshot below.
Step 4
So, we are going to significantly sharpen with a filter. Colour contrast (High Pass Filter). Duplicate the original layer with the portrait of a man, then go Filter – Other – Color Contrast (Filter – Other – High Pass). Set a radius value of at least 10.
Change the blending mode for this layer to Overlap (Overlay).
Step 5
In the final step, we will highlight some of the details of a man’s face with the help of tools Clarifier 
(dodge) and dimmer 
(burn). In the screenshot below, you can see that the face is too bright.
Using the Dimmer tool (Burn Tool (O) with Exposure (Exposure) 50%, darken the following areas, which are highlighted in the screenshot below.
I also used a tool Clarifier (Dodge Tool) to lighten the eyes.
The final result in the screenshot below. Experiment with your photos using this image processing technique. You will be amazed at the dramatic effect that can be added to your photos in minutes.
Final result
Author: Nathan Brown
