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My First Composite
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Feb 26, 2019 14:37:01   #
rdrechsler Loc: Channel Islands Harbor, CA
 
I’m new to this forum. Thanks for the invite Linda. I’ve known how to change backgrounds and some other basic manipulations for awhile, but this is my first attempt to create a work of art using six different images. I’m really hoping for some instructive feedback. I look forward to seeing your work and sharing mine as my skills progress. Thanks, Dick


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Feb 26, 2019 14:49:59   #
Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington
 
Welcome, to PP Forum, Dick! I think your image is creative and fun. I'll be interested to see if others have suggestions about the water. On the one hand, it fits the fanciful overall mood; on the other, there's something about the wave action that perhaps can be improved, but I can't put my finger on it.

I'm curious about your choice for pink sun rays. What led you there?

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Feb 26, 2019 15:06:54   #
Steve DeMott Loc: St. Louis, Missouri (Oakville area)
 
Welcome Dick
If your intention is art, then this is a very creative image. I would work on refining the crop edges so there's not an abrupt edge unless that was your intention.
If you're looking for realism, Then use images of real water and proper scale.
Still it's a great start & I'll look forward to seeing other creations from you.
Do you use Photoshop or another program?

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Feb 26, 2019 15:11:23   #
dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida
 
I like your use of bold strong colors. Creativity is the game.

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Feb 26, 2019 15:36:01   #
kenievans Loc: Dallas
 
Hi Dick and welcome to the forum. I have learned a lot from UHH and while I am certainly not an expert I will be happy to give you what feedback I can. I think you are on the right track. Your composition is good and I like the elements you added. I love the colors and abstract feel of it all. The light and texture on the sail is great. Here are a few things I struggled with and that you might consider.

1. Look at your light source and the direction it is coming from. Do your shadows and highlights make sense based on that light source? You appear to have a bright light shining on the lower left side that highlights the boat and the waves but you have the pink light streaks coming from the top as well and you have what appears to be a bright yellow sun on the other side of the boat. If your birds are flying above your light source then their undersides should be highlighted not the top of their heads. Unless you are creating a fantasy world (which can be a lot of fun) physics should still work the same in your image. You can use Dodge and Burn to help with this issue but it is easier if lighting on the elements you add match the lighting in your image.

2. Pay attention to the sharpness and texture of the elements you add in comparison to the other elements. I like your birds but they appear to be sharper and smoother than the other elements. The boat is more soft focused like the water and clouds. You can use different blur filters on those composite layers to try and get them the same or close to the focus level as the rest of the elements. It can also help to add a top texture layer that affects all of your other layers so there is the same cohesive treatment to all your elements.

3. Placement and size of your objects within the image affects the perspective. Think about the angle at which you are viewing the scene. The viewer appears to be low in the water looking up. Would your horizon line be that close? Pelicans are larger than seagulls but they appear to be about the same size in your image. You can use Free Transform to adjust the size of your composite elements as well as move them around.

I think you did a great job for your first composite. I am really looking forward to seeing your other creative efforts!

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Feb 26, 2019 17:23:29   #
rdrechsler Loc: Channel Islands Harbor, CA
 
I can see the feedback from this group is going to be invaluable. I've made a few changes, particularly with the water transitions and with the birds, although to a lesser degree. I want it to look like art but I'm trying to preserve just enough reality that you know it's a photograph. That's a really tricky proposition, but I did apply a light blur filter to the birds, as suggested. This art form is going to take tons of practice and trial and error. Just for fun, you'll be amazed where it started two days ago. I've attached that feeble attempt just so you can see how it's evolved. Thanks again for the great suggestions. Keep those cards and letters coming, Dick

Believe it or not, this is where the project started!
Believe it or not, this is where the project start...
(Download)

The latest iteration, with the help of your comments
The latest iteration, with the help of your commen...
(Download)

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Feb 26, 2019 17:27:45   #
rdrechsler Loc: Channel Islands Harbor, CA
 
kenievans wrote:
Hi Dick and welcome to the forum. I have learned a lot from UHH and while I am certainly not an expert I will be happy to give you what feedback I can. I think you are on the right track. Your composition is good and I like the elements you added. I love the colors and abstract feel of it all. The light and texture on the sail is great. Here are a few things I struggled with and that you might consider.

I think you did a great job for your first composite. I am really looking forward to seeing your other creative efforts!
Hi Dick and welcome to the forum. I have learned ... (show quote)


Wonderful commentary. I incorporated some of your changes in the latest version that I just posted. The bright light was actually a partial rainbow, so I want to leave it as is, especially as it adds so much color. It's not perfect, but I'm pretty happy now. How do you like the new water transitions?

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Feb 26, 2019 17:57:49   #
Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington
 
rdrechsler wrote:
... Just for fun, you'll be amazed where it started two days ago. I've attached that feeble attempt just so you can see how it's evolved...
Yeah, the flamingo was just a bit over the top 😄

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Feb 26, 2019 18:06:54   #
kenievans Loc: Dallas
 
rdrechsler wrote:
Wonderful commentary. I incorporated some of your changes in the latest version that I just posted. The bright light was actually a partial rainbow, so I want to leave it as is, especially as it adds so much color. It's not perfect, but I'm pretty happy now. How do you like the new water transitions?


I think you have some wonderfully creative ideas. I like the change you made to the water and the way it blends into the background giving it more depth. It is not realistic but that is not the point. I also like how the birds are better blended. The edges don't pop out at you and say "hey I'm a composite". I can also get on board with the rainbow i just wish it was a little more defined as a rainbow so it didn't look so much like a setting sun.

With all that being said ultimately it is your creation and story to tell. We can help you with techniques to get you to your creative end and offer our own creative suggestions but if you are happy with it then that's all that really matters.

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Feb 26, 2019 23:39:38   #
EyeShootWideOpen Loc: Florida
 
rdrechsler wrote:
I’m new to this forum. Thanks for the invite Linda. I’ve known how to change backgrounds and some other basic manipulations for awhile, but this is my first attempt to create a work of art using six different images. I’m really hoping for some instructive feedback. I look forward to seeing your work and sharing mine as my skills progress. Thanks, Dick


Hi and welcome, Dick. I love doing composites and you did quite well, especially for being your first. I like all the comments and suggestions that you have received and the changes that you made as a result have improved the image. One helpful hint that I can offer when creating a composite, when adding elements that are off in the distance you can utilize opacity on your layers to bring a hazy distant feeling to that element. So something in the foreground would be 100% opacity and something in the far distance would be maybe 70% or whatever the case may be. Try playing with the opacity on your birds in the distance and see what you think. You might also try some very light blurring and playing with reduced opacity on your sky background, this process adds depth to the image and helps it feel a little more dimensional. Just a little food for thought and things I might try.

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Feb 27, 2019 06:12:18   #
nanaval Loc: Cornwall
 
Welcome Dick. Very good impact with colors and subject I like the way you have used the sea in front of the image, as the sky has the look of water color paint I think the strip of sea on the right horizon would blend in more if it were of the same style and not so smooth as |I find the eye goes to it.. Round the boat and especially between the legs of the man by the mast there are bits of the background the boat was taken from, at a distance not very noticeable except between the legs. When I take an object from another picture I roughly cut it out then place a layer beneath with a contrasting bright color, using the mask tool I can see that all the background has gone.. This also helps you to get nice smooth lines with no background so if you want to a filter on it it looks better..
Look forwards to seeing more of your work... Val

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Feb 27, 2019 09:08:12   #
Guyserman Loc: Benton, AR
 
nanaval wrote:
When I take an object from another picture I roughly cut it out then place a layer beneath with a contrasting bright color, using the mask tool I can see that all the background has gone.. This also helps you to get nice smooth lines with no background so if you want to a filter on it it looks better..
Look forwards to seeing more of your work... Val


Sometimes I hide all the layers below to easily see where the edge changes to transparent but a temporary bright colored layer sounds like a good idea.

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Feb 27, 2019 17:33:34   #
nanaval Loc: Cornwall
 
Guyserman wrote:
Sometimes I hide all the layers below to easily see where the edge changes to transparent but a temporary bright colored layer sounds like a good idea.


I find it is a lot easier as you can see if you have left any tiny bits, I have often cut something out and thought it fine, then put a bright layer behind and then see all the small bits that have not been taken out. Try it out and let me know if you find it works for you...

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Feb 27, 2019 18:55:52   #
NJFrank Loc: New Jersey
 
Welcome to the PP section. Others have already given you some good points. I will simply add continue to try different composites. Some will work others will not. But the good news you will learn something new with each attempt.

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Mar 14, 2019 13:48:03   #
rdrechsler Loc: Channel Islands Harbor, CA
 
Thanks everyone for your positive and constructive input. The final version of this image won an Award of Merit (the highest) at the Ventura County Camera Club last night. Hurray!!!

After the Storm
After the Storm...
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