Whimsey ~ Ruby Rose on Midnight Black

[JBW]

[Rebel]

Really interesting shot, very curious how yo managed to get to this final image?

[JBW]

Really interesting shot, very curious how yo managed to get to this final image?

I started with:

I added a touch of neon in Picasa. Went into Gimp painted the background black. Did the usual sharpening and colour balance and then I applied the emboss filter changed it to soft light and added it to the shot to give the textured look and enhance the sharpness.

[Rebel]

Cheers Brian, it makes for a really nice image.

[Shadowman]

Nicely done.

[JBW]

Nicely done.

some days it is nice to let the imagination have the upper hand.

[DanK]

interesting image--nearly an abstract

[JBW]

interesting image--nearly an abstract

thank-you. Interesting challenge to create an abstract from a photo.

[marlunn]

Brian, very impressive, could see that as a big wall mural in a night club/bar, not that I frequent such places you understand

[Geoff F]

You are certainly getting the hang of editing now, Brian.

[JBW]

Brian, very impressive, could see that as a big wall mural in a night club/bar, not that I frequent such places you understand

and if you did it would only be to capture the mood with a shot or two?

[JBW]

You are certainly getting the hang of editing now, Brian.

[Loose Canon]

Went into Gimp painted the background black.

Hey Brian!

May I suggest an alternative post production technique that I find useful?

If you remember our discussion on layers/masks?

If you want to black the BG as you have done rather than paint it black?

Add an additional blank layer on top of your layer stack, fill it entirely with black.

Give that layer a black mask. Black mask in this layer will conceal (black conceals, white reveals) and you will see your shot as you took it.

Click your layer mask on the black filled layer so it is active. Choose white as your foreground color for your brush and use this to “paint” in your black BG.

This will reveal the black filled layer on top of the stack where you paint with the white brush and paint in your black BG.

So what is the difference?

You only have to change the color of your brush from white to black if you “get out of the lines” and paint it back in. Should be a key shortcut to change the color from black to white. Very useful and faster when doing highly detailed brushing. You don’t have to hit “un-do” and then re-do and hope you get it right. You will be able to see the mistake and when you change colors you can repaint a mistake back in a little at a time. It is just a lot easier and faster.

The down side?

It adds another layer and a bit more file size. You can always merge the layers when you get it like you like to offset this if this is a concern.

This is more in line with a non-destructive workflow. You can keep the extra layers and always have the option to get back to the original with an unpainted BG by making the black-filled layer (with black mask) invisible.

It’s a great technique and offers a lot more options than painting the BG black directly to your image.

BTW Brian?

The shot rocks!

[Brownbear]

Ruby Rose on Midnight Black.. Exceptionally creative and yes, it rocks.

[selig1656]

So much fun to play around and take things to an extreme, especially if the end product is desirable.As my future step daughter would say, that's wicked!! The emphasis on the edges is a terrific touch.

[JBW]

Hey Brian!

May I suggest an alternative post production technique that I find useful?

If you remember our discussion on layers/masks?

It’s a great technique and offers a lot more options than painting the BG black directly to your image.

BTW Brian?

The shot rocks!

yes you may, yes I do, it do don't it!

I am going to copy your alternative technique to my sticky notes and give it a try.
I just tried it and it is a superior technique. The top left quarter was blacked out and when i made a mistake flip the colour and it was corrected. I like it.

[JBW]

So much fun to play around and take things to an extreme, especially if the end product is desirable.As my future step daughter would say, that's wicked!! The emphasis on the edges is a terrific touch.

It is fun. The 'neon' option in Picasa can work nicely.

[JBW]

Ruby Rose on Midnight Black.. Exceptionally creative and yes, it rocks.

Thanks. A thought just came into my mind. If you are still planning on a Bear shoot don't forget about the phosphorescence in the water. At night it can be incredibly beautiful.

[deetheturk]

Very nice B

[JBW]

Very nice B

with a little help from my friends on CiC.