Steampunks, Star Wars and a Load of Filters.
Oct 22, 2020 05:12:32 #
In this composite all the images are my own and so are the filters bar the smoke and flames. Filters can be anything that takes your fancy - another image, an out of focus blur of colours, or a frosted window perhaps - just anything. The problem is you don't quite know the affect they will have on your base or composited images, so its trial and error. And to complicate things further, the blend mode used for the filter will dramatically change the effect of the filter. Patience is a virtue as my granny used to say. The reward is sometimes coming up with something you really like, or getting to know the filters you use regularly and so being able to predict what might happen. In this image the filters have added colour, enhanced the smoke, and brought out the texture of the metalwork. Do you use filters, and do you have a particular purpose for which they are employed? And please feel free to critique the image I've posted. You will need to download it to view the colours as intended.
Oct 22, 2020 07:31:42 #
Oct 22, 2020 08:58:37 #
A very engaging work, Dave!
In my reply to Curmudgeon yesterday, I provided the photo used in one of my layers:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-670467-1.html#11673938
Instead of selecting/copying/pasting only the moon itself, because of the blend mode and the layers underneath, I was able to simply use the entire pic. Another time I saw a little problem with a result and realized I could tweak the overlay/texture slightly so that the problem disappeared when blended with the layer below.
I appreciate your discussion of the power of layers and blend modes and some of the possible images that can be used as textures etc. In our texture library are a variety of photos people are welcome to download and work with, as well as some resources for free images: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-630884-1.html
It's great fun to experience the happy surprises 😊
In my reply to Curmudgeon yesterday, I provided the photo used in one of my layers:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-670467-1.html#11673938
Instead of selecting/copying/pasting only the moon itself, because of the blend mode and the layers underneath, I was able to simply use the entire pic. Another time I saw a little problem with a result and realized I could tweak the overlay/texture slightly so that the problem disappeared when blended with the layer below.
I appreciate your discussion of the power of layers and blend modes and some of the possible images that can be used as textures etc. In our texture library are a variety of photos people are welcome to download and work with, as well as some resources for free images: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-630884-1.html
It's great fun to experience the happy surprises 😊
Oct 22, 2020 09:43:25 #
Oct 22, 2020 09:57:25 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
A very engaging work, Dave! br br In my reply to ... (show quote)
Yes, black or white (or very dark/very light) backgrounds are easiest to make disappear with blend mode. It does save a lot of time! Bought overlays often rely on this - the smoke in my image is a good example but if you can make or buy overlays with clear backgrounds (.png’s) that’s a bonus. Textures are very easy to generate for yourself, there is so much to photograph indoors or out. It a matter of getting into the habit of looking. Occasionally (and on just about every composite I make!) a line appears as if from nowhere. Switching the individual layers off will reveal which is causing the problem, then it’s a matter of brushing it away on the layer mask. It’s caused by shades of light or dark that the blend mode hasn’t quite dealt with.
I agree a Linda, it’s fun to see what happens - and if you don’t like it, dump the layer and try something else.
Oct 22, 2020 15:13:54 #
Love what you have done in creating this image. Lots of hard work- well executed and nicely rendered. I would say you pulled that off very well. Please stay well and keep on sharing.
Oct 23, 2020 08:40:02 #
When I try composites I find I have to continually try different textures and blends. More times than not I am not successful. But that is part of the process. Your submissions are usually spot on and creative. And this one is no exception. I have a long road to travel to get to your level. But that too is part of the process. Keep posting your wonderful and creative images.
Oct 23, 2020 08:40:57 #
Oct 23, 2020 10:11:59 #
Ourspolair wrote:
Love what you have done in creating this image. Lots of hard work- well executed and nicely rendered. I would say you pulled that off very well. Please stay well and keep on sharing.
You're right, two rainy days of work! Thanks for your comments, much appreciated.
Oct 23, 2020 10:13:59 #
NJFrank wrote:
When I try composites I find I have to continually try different textures and blends. More times than not I am not successful. But that is part of the process. Your submissions are usually spot on and creative. And this one is no exception. I have a long road to travel to get to your level. But that too is part of the process. Keep posting your wonderful and creative images.
Thanks Frank. Yes, it does take time to get the hang of filters but sometimes they surprise you and make life easy.
Oct 23, 2020 10:17:20 #
nanaval wrote:
Very good, as you say so much better in the download. 
Thanks Val. I don't seem able to come up to the mark for UHH colour system, at least in the thumbnail. Linda has generously supplied instruction on more than one occasion but I'm missing a point somewhere. Strange thing is they load fine on other sites!
Oct 23, 2020 11:37:10 #
magnetoman wrote:
It's not really "strange" - it's technical jargon, something to do with coding, thumbnails vs. downloads/original. Here is one Google grab copied below. Personally, the "why" doesn't matter to me; I just do what I'm told 😁... I don't seem able to come up to the mark for UHH colour system, at least in the thumbnail... Strange thing is they load fine on other sites!
Although modern browsers are more flexible, sRGB is still the safest choice of color space for the web. Again, this is because it roughly matches the gamut of most electronic displays. Using bigger color spaces risks draining your photos of color, especially on tablets or smartphones that may not be color-managed.
Oct 23, 2020 12:20:56 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
It's not really "strange" - it's technic... (show quote)
Ah, I’ve seldom done that Linda!
Oct 23, 2020 13:31:06 #
Beautifully done. That is the first Steam Punk Jedi I have ever seen 
I also make most of my own backgrounds and filters. Being honest I seldom have more than a generic idea of where I want to go when I start a project. Add, subtract, multiply and divide; any and all capability Photoshop and plug ins have are fair game. Most of my projects never see the light of day but then, occasionally, ...
I also make most of my own backgrounds and filters. Being honest I seldom have more than a generic idea of where I want to go when I start a project. Add, subtract, multiply and divide; any and all capability Photoshop and plug ins have are fair game. Most of my projects never see the light of day but then, occasionally, ...Oct 23, 2020 14:05:35 #
Curmudgeon wrote:
Beautifully done. That is the first Steam Punk Jedi I have ever seen I also make most of my own backgrounds and filters. Being honest I seldom have more than a generic idea of where I want to go when I start a project. Add, subtract, multiply and divide; any and all capability Photoshop and plug ins have are fair game. Most of my projects never see the light of day but then, occasionally, ...
I also make most of my own backgrounds and filters. Being honest I seldom have more than a generic idea of where I want to go when I start a project. Add, subtract, multiply and divide; any and all capability Photoshop and plug ins have are fair game. Most of my projects never see the light of day but then, occasionally, ...I doubt that anyone really knows what the outcome will be when they start to make this type of composite Curmudgeon. As you will know, the filter effect is not something easily predicted. You should be posting more of your work! We all want to see it.
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