Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I've been getting a lot of mileage out of the shots I took of grapevines through a window!

#1 is a composite of the two images shown below it.

The deer was added as a separate layer, with "multiply" blend mode, and some slight masking where I didn't care for how the light looked. I haven't done many of these, or used textures much, so I don't know how different blend modes and combinations of images will come out. Definitely fun to experiment!

#2 is a stylized image, including "mosaic tile" - a PS Elements artistic filter, and is what I used as the base image for the composite.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions; I'd greatly appreciate your feedback.

You are welcome to play with any or all of the shots and re-post your own vision.

Thanks!

(Download)


(Download)

drmarty Loc: Pine City, NY

The cool thing (and sometimes frustrating) thing about what we do is that that every image is different often doesn't come out as we previsualized the result. I view this as a positive thing as it keeps us in learning mode and keeps from getting too deep in a rut. I am always aware that Mother Nature provides the raw materials and what I contribute is only an interpretation of the feeling they generate. Humbling isn't it? You did some fine work here!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thanks so much, Doc. For me, putting our own interpretation on what Mother Nature - or man - gives us is what art is all about.

drmarty Loc: Pine City, NY

Yep!

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

You did an excellent job with this one, Linda. A viewer would have to do some pixel-peeping to see that it was anything other than genuine. Very well done and very appealing image. And yes, those grapevines appear to be a gift that keeps on giving, lol!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thank you, Randy. I'm very pleased you enjoyed. As I mentioned in Snap Shot's thread on masking, you and Bob and a few other generous folks on UHH were great help with getting me over the layer-learning hump!

I only have three original photos of the grapevines; I'm sure getting my money's worth

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

Interesting Linda, the first time I scanned quickly over your included images, I didn't pick up on the mosaic tile patterns. Until I looked closer at the download. What I like most about this image is the artful way you blended the layers together ....... you successfully hid a little green flower in front of the deer's nose, placed the slats of the window in a good position to highlight portions of the deer, but most impressively, incorporated the tile background at low enough of an Opacity that you can't really tell it's there unless you know what you're looking for and go pixel peeping. To me, that's why its so important to learn layers and masking. It adds a whole new world to photo editing.

You may know this,but I'll repeat it anyway. When combining two layers together, and you need to move one of the layers so that it's in the correct position (like the deer behind the slats of the window), use the Free transform tool. it forms a bounding box around your image which you can then drag left or right, up or down, even stretch out a side. Sometimes I do this with cloud backgrounds ..... I want to position a white cloud in just the right place, but now the border of the image doesn't cover the palette. Just grab the right side of the photo and stretch it out so it covers the whole background.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thanks so much, Bob. In fact, my first version had the deer's eyes obscured by the window frame - oops - so dragging was a simple and effective solution.

I also did the stretch bit with a b&w of a different grapevine shot to make it a texture in a flower pic. A great tool and easy to use.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

I suspect we will do a lot of "preaching to the choir" in the following months, especially as we see who our compadres are. I also realize that some folks are new to layers and masks, so what I say to you will be read by someone who didn't know that before, and says "Hey, I'll have to try that!" . So I hope that participants are encouraged to add their own observations like this snippet, even when they know the OP has it down pat, just so we can share the little tips and tricks with the larger audience. I wish for this section to become increasingly educational so we can start to explore new things together - the hard stuff.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Agree 100%. I'm happy for any "preaching" - lol - and respect your vision for this forum, Bob.

jwt Loc: Texas Hill Country

Some beautiful work here Linda and now I'm more determined than ever to master layering and create composites as I've got so many images that would accept that sort of thing. Again my friend great work and more enticement. Thanks for sharing.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thank you, Jim! I know Bob and Bill will get you over the hump in no time

jwt Loc: Texas Hill Country

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

Very creative composite with a couple of simple shots...good work!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Thank you kindly, Bob! It was luck how they blended so well, since I have very little experience with composites or textures. But many of my favorite straight shots are luck (right time/right place), I'm not ashamed to admit