Need help with ghostly effects

[jackiechad]

Hey all,
I'm new to photography (though I do have some video experience) and need to create a cover for a book. I have a model ready to pose for me and want to make sure I have my act together so I don't waste her time.

I'm starting with an image of a graveyard from the late 1800's with stone graves that have been broken open (by falling trees, I guess).

The model will be my ghost coming out of one of the open graves. I haven't decided on how spooky I want to make it. I'll try her just standing in the grave and play with having her crawl out. she'll probably be wearing an 1800's style white gown. I'll be taking the image of her seperately so that I can have full control over the layers. I plan to make her semi-transparent.

So my specific questions are these:
Should I take her picture against a black sheet so that I can cut her out easily? Or is there a better way to do it?
Are there any effects that might look good in addition (or instead of) transparancy?
Any lighting tips?

Thanks in advance for your advice!
Chad

 

[CT]

You can use a black sheet, but just make sure you don't get a black fringe around your figure when you chop her out. Other than that I'd say just by adjusting the opacity, brightness and contrast of your 'ghost' you should be able to get it looking suitably ethereal.

 

[Rhodese]

Hi, using Photoshop I tend to go for white backgrounds an the use the magic wand tool to make the main selection as it makes tracing easier I then mod it using a mask, then copy and paste to a new layer, also if you have a white background I think its easier to use the extract filter if you prefer, but if your going to use a white gown I suggest a contrasting backdrop but not black.

Note when you do the model shoot make sure the light is coming from the same direction as the graveyard shot.

So open the graveyard shot and copy the background layer, if you going to darken it to a night shot edit the copy ie. Levels or curves then open the model file and do the selection, when you are happy with the selection go to edit and copy it, then back to edit and paste it, this puts the selection in a new layer. Now with both pictures on screen pick up the move tool and click on the model picture and keeping the left button pressed drag the cutout onto the graveyard picture, if you hold down the shift key at the same time as you drag, when you drop, the copy will be centered. Close the model picture you don’t need it any more (this also saves ram). Now go to select and select all, then edit – transform – scale, holding down the shift key drag a corner square in or out to size the model to the scene hit enter or double click in the box to apply, then use the move tool to position her, edit to create same lighting (ie, levels and or curves). As for the ghosting, in the layers pallet make sure you are on the model, click on the opacity tab and adjust to your liking, also try different blending modes, now do the rest of your editing then flatten the image and save.

This is the first time I’ve done this, (posting that is) hope it makes sense.

 

[Matt]

Hi, using Photoshop I tend to go for white backgrounds an the use the magic wand tool to make the main selection as it makes tracing easier I then mod it using a mask, then copy and paste to a new layer, also if you have a white background I think its easier to use the extract filter if you prefer, but if your going to use a white gown I suggest a contrasting backdrop but not black.

Note when you do the model shoot make sure the light is coming from the same direction as the graveyard shot.

So open the graveyard shot and copy the background layer, if you going to darken it to a night shot edit the copy ie. Levels or curves then open the model file and do the selection, when you are happy with the selection go to edit and copy it, then back to edit and paste it, this puts the selection in a new layer. Now with both pictures on screen pick up the move tool and click on the model picture and keeping the left button pressed drag the cutout onto the graveyard picture, if you hold down the shift key at the same time as you drag, when you drop, the copy will be centered. Close the model picture you don’t need it any more (this also saves ram). Now go to select and select all, then edit – transform – scale, holding down the shift key drag a corner square in or out to size the model to the scene hit enter or double click in the box to apply, then use the move tool to position her, edit to create same lighting (ie, levels and or curves). As for the ghosting, in the layers pallet make sure you are on the model, click on the opacity tab and adjust to your liking, also try different blending modes, now do the rest of your editing then flatten the image and save.

This is the first time I’ve done this, (posting that is) hope it makes sense.

a very excellent explanation

 

[oldgit]

Chose a background that CONTRASTS with the subject.
ie dont use a white sheet for an albino in white nightie.

Makes the masking in PS soooo much easier.

If you are looking for the ultimate (?) in selection then use the channels.
-Go through each in turn R,G,B and then make a copy of the most contrasty one.

- This done bring up the curve tool and make a vertical(ish) line with it such that you get black and white.

- Then change hit the change add as selection button. This will add it as marching ants on your primary image (which should for safety be a copy of the background image).

-At this stage you can then go to quick mask mode and fettle if required or just go straight to...

-Finally change the marching ants into a layer mask .. you can then modify th e mask by painting in black, white (or any shade of grey inbetween).

Hope this helps