Project 52 - 1st Quarter - Venser

[Venser]

Little late to the party, but I finally have time to start.
Here's the first image, time to take another to catch up.



edit - Explanation of how I did this.

1 - Take a photo of the background (BG).
2 - Take a photo of me (ME).
3 - In PS duplicate the ME layer and convert to B&W (MEMAP).
4 - Play with the brightness/contrast on MEMEP to make it somewhat extreme. It doesn't need to look good, this is simply what the displacement map is going to use to bend the lines.
5 - Add a Gaussian blur to MEMAP, I used something in the 25-30 range.
6 - Save this layer down as an 8 bit PSD layer.
7 - Duplicate the BG layer (BG2).
8 - On BG2, add a displacement filter and select the save MEMEP.PSD file when prompted. You should have a background image that has distortion where you were in your layer.
9 - Hold ctrl and click the ME layer. This should outlines me.
10 - Add a mask to BG2 and the outline from #9 should be the only thing visible in this layer now.
11 - Change the layer type to Overlay (Multiply sometimes works well depending on the situation.)
12 - I often add a 1-3 pixel Gaussian blur to the BG2 layer at this stage and change the opacity to something that looks right.
13 - Copy ME layer again and fill the area all black. Add a Gaussian blur of something like 30-40. Hit ctrl+t to bring in the transform tool. I use this to create the shadow behind me.
14 - On another layer I now use the dodge/burn tool to fix areas I think need fixing.

From here, you can do all the brightness, contrast, levels, curves work that you think needs getting done.

[Geoff F]

Interesting concept which mostly works for me. It is just that strap on his wrist which I find a little bit distracting.

ps. It doesn't really matter about starting late with your Project 52 providing you manage to catch up within the next couple of weeks - just when many of us are starting to lag behind.

[Shadowman]

Nice concept.

[purplehaze]

Great concept, Chris. I also regretted the strap. I'm wondering what it would look like if the lighting on you were flatter, the shadow less deep. And if the lines on your body were blacker. Just wondering. The concept is great and the execution admirable.

[TonyW]

aMAZING Interesting original concept. The treatment around the eyes is interesting too. I went looking for repetitions in the pattern but could not find any.

[Manfred M]

Great concept Chris; and the execution is right on too!

You almost manage a raccoon like mask there, but not quite. The only two quibbles I might have are the strap that others have mentioned already and the amount of space above the head. I wonder if a tighter crop there might not strengthen the composition.

Thanks for giving us something to think about...

[Venser]

Old photo of myself hitting up the zoo.



I'm not in love with this photo and have no desire to fix the things I don't like. The photo I took of myself doesn't have the right lighting and it looks too imposed in the image. It would involve setting up shop again for an image I don't like when I could be working on #3.

[IzzieK]

Lots of work on the #1, need lots of room too...but very nice idea. The second one is very nice...my kind of play...!!! Beth will enjoy this one too. Nice colour too. You are very creative...

[wilgk]

Great to follow another's journey on the road, I really like the the second composite. I admire the skill in the first, but just really like the content of the second, particularly old Mr Potato head in the background

[Venser]

I'm not going to follow the weeks. When I get an idea, plus the time to execute, I'm just going to fire away. With two kids under three years old at home, I can't delay opportunities.

Week 3


Saw something similar on 500px and had to give it a try. My shots are going to be very narcissistic in nature. Again, with kids and whatnot, the most willing subject at home will always be myself.

This year I'm determined to take 52 self portraits of some variety.

[mknittle]

Old photo of myself hitting up the zoo.



I'm not in love with this photo and have no desire to fix the things I don't like. The photo I took of myself doesn't have the right lighting and it looks too imposed in the image. It would involve setting up shop again for an image I don't like when I could be working on #3.

Hey it made me smile. That's worth something.

[Venser]

4/52


And now I need to think about the next one. Just spewed out all the quick ideas I had in the last four days.

[Venser]

I was unsure of I should remove the wrinkles or not. In the end I liked them enough to not edit them out.

There's not really much to talk about. I just want to do something different every week without repeating myself. This shot was conceived because someone asked what I would shoot if ghost was the theme without resorting to composites. Well, here it is.