weekly Blondie606's 52 in 2014 Wk 52 Support-THE END :-)

[blondie606]

Hi Lynne,
I love the shell so that's my choice for shape, well lit with a lovely black bg
Re shoot .. mineral love it so cool
Numbers...good idea, fits the theme, I like the dof too

Thanks Judi

Hi Lynne

Well you have the Moto-X shots down to a 'T', very good ......... think I would have like a bit tighter crop though

Angel wings!.......are they yours? Great detail and lighting on the shell against the black bg

Re-shoot is very well captured, colour and detail again look excellent ......... I did think it was a shame that the water slashing out and up didn't stand out from the grass bg more, but not a lot you could have done about that

The M3 badge I like, white paint, reflection in the chrome M & 3's good, dof and the bit of colour adds nicely

Cheers Phil , the motox shot I deliberately went for the wider shot for 2 reasons......it was shot at almost max zoom so a little soft when cropped in & I'm really guilty of always going for close up's so trying to break the habit

Didn't know the shell was called Angel Wings , but now you've said it I can see it.....yup , tis mine , I have a habit of picking up shells when at the beach

welcome back lynne... 4 weeks to catch up on......

motocross rider - throwing a shape in the air, the wide shot sets the scene nicely, but I think also a closer one would work, especially with the eye contact from the rider.

shell is nice enough but lacks a wow factor i think.

for mineral, cracking work by DK there, well done that man. compositionally, I'm thinking the "horizon" shouldn't be so high, cutting through the cap as it is, but lower. Dare I say closer to a third maybe.

the M3 image is great, the 16V is looking very sad and ordinary alongside that, might say just go with the M3 one, and let the sharpness of the number and letter stand out, with the reflection in the chrome, against the white paintowrk.

Thanks Graham.......as per above comments for the motox shot but I do see where you & Phil are coming from

Yup , agree about the shell but wanted to shot it since I got it

Had the camera as close to the floor as I could get it as wanted a head on POV , suspect I should have used the bean bag instead...

16V....being a VW it's meant to be understated in a typical German way...but I'm getting to rather like the M3.....car wasn't half bad either

 

[blondie606]

Hi Lynne, great capture of the moto-x rider though it does look like you have lightened him a little
the shell is nicely detailed well lit and as usual a great black BG, can't choose between them both excellent in their own way.
Not too keen on the strawberry pic just the strawberry and the glass with splash would have been better for me the BG is too much and I am not keen on the bottle, probably because i had to look at loads of the weeks ago
Liking both the car numbers really nice clean images,

Thanks Allan...re the motox rider...I was playing with a new brush in CS6 & overdid it tad ...always learning...

might try a yet another reshoot of Mineral...I wanted the bottle in to make it clear what the theme was , wasn't convinced that it would convey the theme without it

Hi Lynne ...well done for that catch up .... I really like the shell...I thought at first it was a bit of creative shoppery but then I read it was a straight pic of your shell, it looks great against the black background...very nice.

Not sure about mineral...I think a much tighter crop...all your excellent hard work with the strawberry is unfortunately a bit lost.

Numbers ...the white one stands out for me....I really like the reflection in the chrome, and it's a very original idea too

Thanks Susie..DK did the hard work with the strawb , I just pressed the shutter ( & prayed it caught the action !)

I love the shell, 1st one I've found that fitted together perfectly

'Ey up, you

Shape, #1 is a bit tenuous but as a photograph I like it. Looks to have a light halo around him but that might be the BG foliage.

#2 works really well. Good detail and the BG is how I like it it looks a little off centre ?? Square crop would contract agains the shape of the shell IMO.

Reshoot, it's always strange when you see photographs when you've been there. I didn't think your reshoot would work very well with the hash light but you have done really well to freeze the waterdrops. I might have cropped in more to focus attention more on the bottle.

Numbers although they work very well together and have been very well composed I think they were better individually. Of the two I prefer the first one the white works better for me where is Iain's car?

Nice one missus and have you done your POTY yet??

Cheers.

Thanks Andy
yup , halo indeed from being too heavy handed with a new tool in cs6 !

& I didn't think the reshoot would work either...thankfully the light was perfect & no flash needed

As for POTY...nope , still thinking

Really like the reshoot of Mineral. Nice and clean composition and sharp detail. Not sue how you got the splash to occur before the strawberry entered the glass. Do you have a "thing" about strawberries!

Cheers Andrew.....the strawb was caught on the bounce back from hitting the water & yes...I just love edible props

 

[blondie606]

Right , thought I'd get week 21 done sharpish......

& help required please @Southdowns or anyone else who understands layers !

I'm kinda happy with this but know I needed to use layers to blend everything correctly , partic the stones being carried as they look a little pasted on . This is where I lose the plot....how to use layers for this sort of image & which ones to use ???? I also wanted to use a texture on the background but again couldn't figure out how ? Each time I tried the texture applied itself to Woody & the stones.....any clues please ? I did try you tube / gavin hoey / google but didn't come up with any tutorials to do what I wanted......

HELP PLEASE :arghh:

I'm also thinking I should have cropped closer the the lhs ? It's 3 images pasted together to get a constant DOF then pp'd using silver fx


he's a strong little chap .....

Wk21 Strength b&w jpeg by Blondie606 Photography, on Flickr

 

[Tango32]

Hi Lynne

Love the motorcross shot your really nailing these, Im hoping to get to my first local race in the next few weeks and try to get some myself.
re-shoot again another lovely image details are superb

Numbers - both work well nicely lit good detail dof field is just right

 

[overbez]

Very quick as I'm in my tent... Try changing layer blend mode (it's normally set to normal.). to lighten.

On the texture surly a layer mask will allow you to remove the texture where you don't want it to be. Or again maybe try lighten blend mode?

 

[posiview]

Hey up

I think the main issue is one of brightness. If you've saved the image with the layers you could just darken woody a tad. The stones really don't look too bad. Darkening Woody will help. There is a slight gap between the stones and Woody's hands. I'd use the brush tool to just work the edges of the stone. Easy too say but hard to understand, I appreciate

I might be tempted to move Woody towards the stones and as you say crop a little of the LHS.

Regards adding a texture, this shouldn't be to hard to do but not easy to explain. You just have to isolate Woody so the texture is only applied to the BG. If you use the quick selection tool to select the BG only then try each blending option to see which one worked better.

My internet keeps crashing. Might be an idea to take the laptops to Wales and have a processing evening in....

Cheers.

 

[HWest]

I love that strong shot. The square crop is always a good bet for a strong image and the contrast adds well. i'd throw a spanner in the works and disagree with the Andy and suggest that, if you want to do anything, you should maybe darken the stones slightly with the Burn tool. The only burning I'd do on woody would be maybe around the shadows to add a little more depth to him but you could also do the ssame with a levels adjustment.

To add atexture just to woody I'd recommend a layer mask. If that's something you fancy give me a shout and I'll whack up a quick guide.

 

[posiview]

I love that strong shot. The square crop is always a good bet for a strong image and the contrast adds well. i'd throw a spanner in the works and disagree with the Andy and suggest that, if you want to do anything, you should maybe darken the stones slightly with the Burn tool. The only burning I'd do on woody would be maybe around the shadows to add a little more depth to him but you could also do the ssame with a levels adjustment.

To add atexture just to woody I'd recommend a layer mask. If that's something you fancy give me a shout and I'll whack up a quick guide.

Well, having seen some of your work, Tony, I have no problems deferring to you in this matter

 

[blondie606]

Hi Lynne

Love the motorcross shot your really nailing these, Im hoping to get to my first local race in the next few weeks and try to get some myself.
re-shoot again another lovely image details are superb

Numbers - both work well nicely lit good detail dof field is just right

Cheers Craig , be warned....moto x gets addictive

 

[blondie606]

Very quick as I'm in my tent... Try changing layer blend mode (it's normally set to normal.). to lighten.

On the texture surly a layer mask will allow you to remove the texture where you don't want it to be. Or again maybe try lighten blend mode?

In a tent ??? Tried all the different blending modes but still the texture only appeared on Woody & the stones....I know it's pilot error but......

Hey up

I think the main issue is one of brightness. If you've saved the image with the layers you could just darken woody a tad. The stones really don't look too bad. Darkening Woody will help. There is a slight gap between the stones and Woody's hands. I'd use the brush tool to just work the edges of the stone. Easy too say but hard to understand, I appreciate

I might be tempted to move Woody towards the stones and as you say crop a little of the LHS.

Regards adding a texture, this shouldn't be to hard to do but not easy to explain. You just have to isolate Woody so the texture is only applied to the BG. If you use the quick selection tool to select the BG only then try each blending option to see which one worked better.

My internet keeps crashing. Might be an idea to take the laptops to Wales and have a processing evening in....

Cheers.

Thanks Andy , I tried different blending modes but still it only appeared on Woody & the stones ? FWIW I'm happy with the brightness. What do you do with a blending brush & where do you find it ? I selected Woody & stones , inverted selection , applied texture & then....nothing happened at all I didn't use all the layers , I used the shot of Woody on it's own then cut & pasted the items on to it , positioned as best I could then flattened it .I don;t understand layers enough to do it any other way

I love that strong shot. The square crop is always a good bet for a strong image and the contrast adds well. i'd throw a spanner in the works and disagree with the Andy and suggest that, if you want to do anything, you should maybe darken the stones slightly with the Burn tool. The only burning I'd do on woody would be maybe around the shadows to add a little more depth to him but you could also do the ssame with a levels adjustment.

To add atexture just to woody I'd recommend a layer mask. If that's something you fancy give me a shout and I'll whack up a quick guide.

Hi Tony , I found layer masks but have no idea what you do with them . I can follow a tutorial that uses layers , but when faced with an image I need to tweak I don't know where to start.....really bloomin frustrating !

 

[HWest]

I'll do you a quick tutorial tonight - all the ones I've made for work are on the server there and I can't get them off over half term. Once you've got it cracked though, you'll never look back.

 

[Phil-D]

Lynne. I can't help or comment on the PP, its way beyond me .

Detail in the pebbles and woody look good to my inexperienced post processing eye though and its a good clean black bg

The only thing I though, woody and the pebbles look to be floating ............

 

[blondie606]

I'll do you a quick tutorial tonight - all the ones I've made for work are on the server there and I can't get them off over half term. Once you've got it cracked though, you'll never look back.

Thanks ever so Tony , had another play last night & sort of managed it but pressed that many buttons I'm not sure how I got the end results

Lynne. I can't help or comment on the PP, its way beyond me .

Detail in the pebbles and woody look good to my inexperienced post processing eye though and its a good clean black bg

The only thing I though, woody and the pebbles look to be floating ............

Cheers Phil....yeah , my obssesion with dark black bg's give's the problem of not being able to ground the image

 

[Richard Gill]

Reshoot of mineral is great, very sharp! The M3 numbers is the better one for me.

 

[Southdowns]

Hi Lynne, great shot! I'm not sure I can help just from seeing the result (looks pretty good already), but if you can save the file/s to a memory stick, I can give you a few pointers next time we meet; I'll have my laptop with me

 

[HWest]

Hi Lynne.

Here we go. A layer mask is basically a see through over-layer which is white. By painting black or grey you can make the layer you've applied the mask to more or less transparent.

So, for example, here's a base shot (a discard from a photoshoot with a mate ages ago, so that's why it's not the best shot in the world) opened into PS:

1 by ReanimatedImagery, on Flickr
Next, I overlay an old wet late texture to it:

3 by ReanimatedImagery, on Flickr

Although I like the overall effect, it's really made the face lose impact. So, I add a layer mask to the texture layer:

4 by ReanimatedImagery, on Flickr
5 by ReanimatedImagery, on Flickr

I can then paint black over the face area on the layer mask:
6a by ReanimatedImagery, on Flickr

Which cuts through the texture and gives me a result like so:

6 by ReanimatedImagery, on Flickr
End of Part 1

 

[HWest]

Part II:

I want to add a bit more ehtereality to the shot so I create a new layer and use Apply Image so that I get a flattened version of the image on a single layer. I then apply a Diffuse Glow filter to the whole thing.

8 by ReanimatedImagery, on Flickr

8a by ReanimatedImagery, on Flickr


It's a bit much, as I only really want the glow on the face and myabe some of the other highlights. So, I apply another layer mask and mask off all the areas where I don't want the effect:

9 by ReanimatedImagery, on Flickr

One of the nice things about Photoshop and Gimp is that they put layers masks automatically on to adjustment layers so you can control what happens where. So I add a Hue layer and tint the whole shot green

10 by ReanimatedImagery, on Flickr

And using the mask am able to take the tint off the eyes so that the eyes really pop out on the final shot:

A face in the dark by ReanimatedImagery, on Flickr

The same technique can be used with a blurred layer to give fake depth of field:

Witchfire by ReanimatedImagery, on Flickr

Or with multiple layers to build up composites:

Passion by ReanimatedImagery, on Flickr

I tend not to use the pen tool or most of the selection tools when doing big composites now; using Layer Masks gives me a lot of control and flexibility and it is very, very easy to correct mistakes.

So if you look at this one, every element of the shot - the toy, the card walls, a texture layer for each wall, the two people, the shadows, the writing - was just placed one layer on top of another and the unwanted parts of each layer masked off.

The End is Nigh by ReanimatedImagery, on Flickr

Hope all that helps.

 

[superpippo]

Hi Lynne

Shape - moto x fits the bill. Shell is a bit off centre as Andy has pointed out. Good b/g and lots of detail in the shell - good lighting. Cracking copyright logo
Strength - excellent idea and really hits the theme. Good lighting on both elements and captured a lot of detail. As i read your blurb I knew that I could not answer any of your queries re layers and then I read Tony@HWest and that confirmed it

 

[Allan.H]

Hi Lynne, not sure wether to comment or not as it seems to be a work in progress, its a nice idea but would like to see what you had envisioned for it
Glad to know I am not the only one who presses buttons in PS and hopes for the best, takes me hours of frustration sometimes to get anywhere with it

 

[susiejb]

Hi Lynne .... well done on a great idea with this one.

All I can see a slight loss of texture on his top arm, and as you say there is a slight gap beneath the stones. I would maybe have placed him nearer the stones ...I'm not sure

It will be interesting to see any changes that you make, and the final idea you have in mind, you are certainly setting yourself some challenges

 

[Dark Knight]

Thanks Andy




hi Dean....do you mean lose the polariser ? No flash just good ole natural light & a reflector....think I should have used the light tent...next time I will

Nah not loose the polariser... that's all I could think would get rid of them... guess your tent idea sounds like a plan !!!

 

[Dark Knight]

Hey Lynne

Shape - A couple of different shots there, the shell is a lovely image, excellent black plenty of detail, but compared to the bike shot it lacks excitement, so the bike shot does it for me, excellent action and angle again, super detail too

Re-Shoot - ....

.helped by my amazing assistant , strawberry dropper extraodinaire @Dark Knight

.... Well I did get some of them to go in the bowl

Seeing the amount of effort you put into these shots and the strong light conditions I think it's a great effort, a shame the water splashes don't stand out a tad more as the action stopped is excellent, still a nice summery fresh shot, great detail even down to the strawberry water too

Numbers - Nice duo, the border is a tad heavy, but for a grab shot that M3 image is excellent, love the reflection in the badge and the BMW badge just out of the DoF, real nice detail on the VW grill too, nice one [/quote]

 

[Dark Knight]

Blimey... there is loads on here !!!!

Strong - I know your personal challenge was to improve your PP skills, and this image sure pushes you again, I think it just needs something to ground woody & the rocks, as you ask for a texture would probably do it for me (Not that I have ANY idea about blending or layers) what you have done with 3 shots is great, well lit objects and again plenty of detail, can't wait to see your next edit once you get some tips, very well done for now still

 

[mr.si]

Hi Lynne, the shape of that shell is great - nice find and well shot.
The MXer is certainly throwing a shape over that jump but I prefer the shell.

I like your reshoot - you've captured that splash brilliantly and the colours are brill.
Numbers - I agree that the BMW stands out better than the VW shot, even though the 16V is in red. I like it better of the two. Nice and shiny and good DOF focussing in on the number.

 

[andy0306]

Hi Lynne,
Not much to add to what's already been said, but for the record. The M3 wins over the 16v, but I'm biased to BMW The shell is a lovely shot, the mineral re-shoot is a great capture, maybe a closer crop
Strength is a great idea, but as someone pointed out earlier, they do look to be floating. Woody certainly has a lot of uses, might have to invest in something similar for the future.

 

[Pinkbikerbabe]

Shape - love the Moto cross image no crit from me.

Numbers - I agree it does feel like a grab shot but does fit the theme.

Re shoot of mineral I love the composition and the water splashing out off the bowl.

Strong - I love it I just like your shots with your woody man, well thought out good composition.

 

[blondie606]

Reshoot of mineral is great, very sharp! The M3 numbers is the better one for me.

Thanks Richard...looks like the M3 is winning this one

Hi Lynne, great shot! I'm not sure I can help just from seeing the result (looks pretty good already), but if you can save the file/s to a memory stick, I can give you a few pointers next time we meet; I'll have my laptop with me

Cheers Mark...I'll keep battling with it but will bring the files to Wales as I suspect I'll fail miserably !!

@HWest

WOW...thanks a million for that Tony.... I will get the hang of it , think I understand the different steps , going to have a play this week using your excellent instructions

 

[blondie606]

Hi Lynne

Shape - moto x fits the bill. Shell is a bit off centre as Andy has pointed out. Good b/g and lots of detail in the shell - good lighting. Cracking copyright logo
Strength - excellent idea and really hits the theme. Good lighting on both elements and captured a lot of detail. As i read your blurb I knew that I could not answer any of your queries re layers and then I read Tony@HWest and that confirmed it

Thanks Alan......

Hi Lynne, not sure wether to comment or not as it seems to be a work in progress, its a nice idea but would like to see what you had envisioned for it
Glad to know I am not the only one who presses buttons in PS and hopes for the best, takes me hours of frustration sometimes to get anywhere with it

Cheers Allan, work in progress for sure , really appreciate Tony posting his instructions as I want to improve this image to the point I saw it in my head....it could be a while in the making though

Hi Lynne .... well done on a great idea with this one.

All I can see a slight loss of texture on his top arm, and as you say there is a slight gap beneath the stones. I would maybe have placed him nearer the stones ...I'm not sure

It will be interesting to see any changes that you make, and the final idea you have in mind, you are certainly setting yourself some challenges

Thanks Susie......I don't like making anything easy for myself

Hey Lynne

Shape - A couple of different shots there, the shell is a lovely image, excellent black plenty of detail, but compared to the bike shot it lacks excitement, so the bike shot does it for me, excellent action and angle again, super detail too

Re-Shoot - .... .... Well I did get some of them to go in the bowl

Seeing the amount of effort you put into these shots and the strong light conditions I think it's a great effort, a shame the water splashes don't stand out a tad more as the action stopped is excellent, still a nice summery fresh shot, great detail even down to the strawberry water too

Numbers - Nice duo, the border is a tad heavy, but for a grab shot that M3 image is excellent, love the reflection in the badge and the BMW badge just out of the DoF, real nice detail on the VW grill too, nice one

[/quote]

Blimey... there is loads on here !!!!

Strong - I know your personal challenge was to improve your PP skills, and this image sure pushes you again, I think it just needs something to ground woody & the rocks, as you ask for a texture would probably do it for me (Not that I have ANY idea about blending or layers) what you have done with 3 shots is great, well lit objects and again plenty of detail, can't wait to see your next edit once you get some tips, very well done for now still

Thanks Dean , once I get the texture sorted I think I know how to create a shadow to ground woody & the stones better plus I need to make the stones on his arm more realistic....I will not be beaten

Cheers again for your help with the strawberries.....

 

[blondie606]

Hi Lynne, the shape of that shell is great - nice find and well shot.
The MXer is certainly throwing a shape over that jump but I prefer the shell.

I like your reshoot - you've captured that splash brilliantly and the colours are brill.
Numbers - I agree that the BMW stands out better than the VW shot, even though the 16V is in red. I like it better of the two. Nice and shiny and good DOF focussing in on the number.

Thanks Simon ....the 16V badge & grille took a lot of PP to make it look bright & new but I guess the M3 does stand out better

Hi Lynne,
Not much to add to what's already been said, but for the record. The M3 wins over the 16v, but I'm biased to BMW The shell is a lovely shot, the mineral re-shoot is a great capture, maybe a closer crop
Strength is a great idea, but as someone pointed out earlier, they do look to be floating. Woody certainly has a lot of uses, might have to invest in something similar for the future.

Thanks Andy...Woody is a great help...never complains or argues...just a bit difficult to pose sometimes

Shape - love the Moto cross image no crit from me.

Numbers - I agree it does feel like a grab shot but does fit the theme.

Re shoot of mineral I love the composition and the water splashing out off the bowl.

Strong - I love it I just like your shots with your woody man, well thought out good composition.

Thanks Mandy.....sometimes a grab shot is all I have time for but it keeps me in the game

 

[HWest]

[quote="blondie606, post: 6290511, member: 29597"

@HWest

WOW...thanks a million for that Tony.... I will get the hang of it , think I understand the different steps , going to have a play this week using your excellent instructions [/quote]

Just have a play - that's how we learn! Hope they're useful.

 

[d00d]

Strawberries, bikes, mineral water and that shell.

 

[Judi]

Hi Lynne,
Like your strong/strength the stones look ok to me but he does float a little, I like dk bg's and have the same problem

 

[Tango32]

Hi Lynne, I quite like what you done for strong, I cant really add to any things that been said and after reading Tonys help guide im even more confuzzled with pS lol

 

[blondie606]

[quote="blondie606, post: 6290511, member: 29597"

@HWest

WOW...thanks a million for that Tony.... I will get the hang of it , think I understand the different steps , going to have a play this week using your excellent instructions

Just have a play - that's how we learn! Hope they're useful.[/quote]

Have a play...how many hours have I lost this week following that little gem of advice ....Not 100% happy with the result but getting closer to what I envisaged.....cheers again @HWest

 

[blondie606]

Strawberries, bikes, mineral water and that shell.

Thanks David

Hi Lynne,
Like your strong/strength the stones look ok to me but he does float a little, I like dk bg's and have the same problem

Cheers Judi , kinda realised a basic error......trying to create a shadow on a black ground....:banghead:

Hi Lynne, I quite like what you done for strong, I cant really add to any things that been said and after reading Tonys help guide im even more confuzzled with pS lol

Cheers CRaig....it makes more sense when trying it out , but it also tries my patience [/quote]

 

[blondie606]

Ok , followed Tony's instructions & sort of getting the hang of it....still not 100% happy but getting there...another few years & I should have this layers thing nailed

Wk 21 Strength final by Blondie606 Photography, on Flickr

I was more concerned with the texture background than the shadows....which is probably obvious.......

 

[overbez]

that works better than the black BG IMO......

noticed the irony in this weeks theme Lynne ....

 

[Pinkbikerbabe]

Really loving the second strong edit and well done for sticking with the pp work something I really must get to grips with.

 

[blondie606]

that works better than the black BG IMO......

noticed the irony in this weeks theme Lynne ....

Cheers Graham......oh yes , Irony indeed !
I really need to stop using black backgrounds .....

Really loving the second strong edit and well done for sticking with the pp work something I really must get to grips with.

Thanks Mandy

 

[blondie606]

Week 22...crikey , almost 1/2 way through the year already...where has the time gone ....

Texture is the theme...I almost decided to post my edit of Strong But instead decided to play some more in PP...not going to be everyone's cup of tea....lots of textures though


Wk 22 Texture by Blondie606 Photography, on Flickr

3 separate photo's of the same leaf placed on a tree stump , had a bit of a mare trying to resize them correctly ! Copied & pasted on to a textured background .Altered the color of the BG , then applied drop shadow & stroke to frame them individually , played with the different blending modes to add a little bit of texture to the leaves . Cropped to a pano type finish & hey presto .