Will Korn
August 2026 - Mysterious Object
Original
About the Image(s)
This is a mysterious object from outer space that landed one night next to a brutalist building. No one knows what it is, nor has it been penetrable. Stephen King is investigating.
Before and after series shows what shading can do to bring depth and focus to an image using only Lightroom masking.
I have been studying how to do shading of architecture in Photoshop. It is precise, flexible, and very time-consuming. An approximation of this style can be done in Lightroom, a bit less precise, but much less effort.
10 comments posted
Will, I love the difference in the edited version as opposed to the color. You did a great job with the shading, making the image very mysterious. I love your commentary as well. Posted: 08/03/2026 23:55:13
I also think you did a great job going from the original image to this almost-abstract version of pure shapes and lines. And the shading seems really good, but I wonder if it makes sense in terms of direction. I'm spatially challenged, so I am not the best judge of this, but if the light seems to be coming from the upper right, shouldn't the parts of the straight building close to the round structure also be in the shade? What was the basis of your decision to add shade to certain parts and not others? Posted: 08/04/2026 19:48:19
You are right. It was more aesthetics than physics. Guilty. Posted: 08/04/2026 20:31:54
LOL :-) Posted: 08/04/2026 20:41:32
Great job of simplifying the image! And it is good to know that Lightroom can be so helpful with shading. I'm always looking for ways to avoid Photoshop. I see what Canan means about the shading on the building, but a bit of freedom from physics in the name of aesthetics certainly has its place in photography! Posted: 08/05/2026 21:46:32
Interesting/mysterious image. At first glance - looks like that orb is rising out of a body of water. Ominous. Monochrome is perfect. Can you share how you do the shading in Ps (not that I would have the patience to do it)? Posted: 08/07/2026 13:10:43
I would be happy to give a tutorial on shading using selections and the intersect tool in Lightroom.
Posted: 08/07/2026 21:51:30
Posted: 08/07/2026 21:51:30
I am very impressed by your B&W conversion. Your architectural images are excellent. Posted: 08/09/2026 20:09:56
the light and shadows play well here. The photo gave me pause and made me think of a cold war era movie scene. The composition works well. My only thought would be to play with the light a little more in the area i highlighted. just a faint tonal change. it may help to lead the eye into the background. it would be interesting if you could pull more detail from the reflection in the dome to use a pause moment in the background. Overall, I enjoyed looking around at the photo Posted: 08/15/2026 14:40:03
Your comment along with others' is correct, I was inconsistent with the lighting direction and lighting focus, it was not completely plausible. If I make another vesion I will redo it. Posted: 08/15/2026 15:09:42