How can I take 1 part for 1 image and add it to another?

[viper_biker]

I was playing about with my camera tonight and thought I'd try something differnt. Basically, the 2 images are identical apart from the AF point in the viewfinder. What I was looking to capture was taking the boot and adding it to the shot with the battery. Simply cutting the boots and copying it to the second image. I have CS3 and Capture NX 2 on my PC, but I really don't use it often other that Auto-Corrections. Can someone give me an idea of how to process the 2 images below into my desired shot.

It may well come out completely crap and if it is, I'll just move on and try something different. These are the 2 images,

 

[mteam]

Have a look here mate layer mask guide

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=37165&highlight=layer+mask

 

[viper_biker]

Is that the same method? I've done that before with OK results,

 

[mteam]

Had a quick go using layer mask

[/IMG]

 

[photogirl]

Hello, I like doing these sorts of images too, the best thing to do is open up both images as two different layers in Photoshop, then use a mask between layers to draw between the layers.

The only thing with these images is that you might have a problem as you have photographed the background image of the boots with the battery still in the picture, so when you blend them you won't be able to get a crisp finish as the backgroud layer will give a yellow glow around the battery - which is the out of focus battery shape.

Next time, fix your camera on tripod or floor, use a remote switch so your camera isn't knocked out of place, photograph the background in focus first on an F11, then place your foreground item in the shot and take the second shot, focusing on the foreground object only, and ensure it is sharply focused, and on about an F8 so its nice and crisp around the object too.

Then open them both up as two separate layers, put a mask on between the two (use a temp opacity fill tool on the layer so you can see where you are drawing). Use a medium soft brush at various opacity to get a natural result, then select the contents of the mask that contains only the battery, and add a diffuse glow filter to that to give it a bit of pop.

 

[photogirl]

Here's my edit for you, but like I say would get a much better result without the battery in 1st pic, and the middle ground crisp. And move the cat toys next time! LOL I always have cats getting in the way at mine too. Hope it all helps and really looking forward to seeing all your next ones.

 

[cowasaki]

I do a lot of these type of pictures and my favoured technique which I find most flexible is to load the donor image and turn it into a non background image (quickest way is to drag the image on the layers pallette to new layer then delete the original layer) then use the eraser to delete the rest of the picture. You can then use free transform to play with the size and orientation of the element you want before dragging it into the main picture where you can then move it around re size again and re transform till it is exactly what you want.

Oh and then obviously I add a border (see sig)

 

[viper_biker]

Thanks for the help/advice, but what I was wanting it to have the pictues with the battery in focus wthonly the boot behind it in focus. Like cutting the boot out of pic one and pasting it in pic 2 so that everything is blurred apart from the boot and the battery.

 

[Jayst84]

Thanks for the help/advice, but what I was wanting it to have the pictues with the battery in focus wthonly the boot behind it in focus. Like cutting the boot out of pic one and pasting it in pic 2 so that everything is blurred apart from the boot and the battery.

In that case, I think you really need to shoot it without the clutter around the boot (a lot of the sole is obscured). Also, as mentioned above, shoot the boot without the battery in the way, you're just making life hard for yourself later on. I had a very quick play with the images, but I reckon it'd be quicker to re-shoot.

load the donor image and turn it into a non background image (quickest way is to drag the image on the layers pallette to new layer then delete the original layer) then use the eraser to delete the rest of the picture.

Save yourself half a second by simply double-clicking on the layer and hitting enter.

It's generally considered 'better practice' to work with layer masks, rather than erasing information. Non-destructiveness is next to godliness.

 

[viper_biker]

I tried it again without the battery in the foreground and my idea is just not goona work. It ends up looking like a sore thumb and the boot looks just wrong, definately not the way I envisaged how it would look.

See below,

 

[Jayst84]

You could try shooting it all in one, with a really small aperture / wider angle to get huge depth of field. Then add blur in PS to select areas afterwards. May give you more control to get to where you want.

 

[DavePaliwoda]

I'd recommend taking a look at both Layer masking and the lens blur tool, especially with regards to using masks with it; this will explain how to do it and a whole lot more 'around' what you're specifically after (especially with regards to blending images together/taking elements and adding them to other pictures and making them fit), and will improve your photoshop abilities greatly.