Patty asks about layer masks & channels
clarke patty
My photshop class lessons recently introduced channels, quick and layer masks, etc. I have a very vague understanding of the process at this point---Holy Moly that's a lot of information to swallow in one gulp.
Anyway, I've started my search for divine understanding of this photoshop phenomena in all of my dummy, bunny and Kelby books. (AND of course the forum!)
Here's my request for your advice---
Since I don't yet totally understand what these functions do much less how I can make it happen---I'd like some direction for my class project. (rough draft due in 10 days)
Project:
Take 2 - 5 of your own photos or royalty free photos and combine them into a final photo composite that appears to have been taken as one photo. Final project can't be larger than 8x10. The end result can be surrealistic but must appear to be cohesive. You have to import your photos into the final document in their entirety and then use channels and layer masks and other "cool tools" to create your project. No limitations on what tools etc. you use (but keep in mind I haven't learned the advanced stuff yet), but you MUST have a channel and layer mask.
I have an idea I would like to pursue for my project. I like to combine the learning experiences and the many hours these assignments take and make someone smile. Until I get good, I pretty much gear around family and friends, because no matter what the end result is, if it includes pictures of "my People" they smile. That's a great reward.
Don't want to bore you with too much info, but I want to do a surrealistic photo that will have significance to my 22 year old son who graduated from college last year and is pursuing his career goal of becoming an airline pilot. He asked my advice about a situation with his job, didn't end up following it, and then wanted to discuss the options when things turned south etc. Long story short, he said, "mom, hindsight is 20-20, can we just talk about where I'm at." Anyway, I want to combine a picture of a toilet with one I have of him when he was a year old floating on a little orange raft on the river and put him in the toilet bowl.(kind of like the tidy-bowl guy from years ago) Message being--"not only is hindsight 20-20, but don't find yourself up "sh__t's creek without a paddle. I want an airplane in the sky and maybe a forest or desert scene to be the dominant background.
So, in addition to learning how to do all the photoshop magic, I have to locate my source photos. I don't want to spend alot of time searching for photos that don't have the easiest background or whatevers to accomplish the project. (keep in mind, I'm not that good YET>) Any advice?? Any web sites I should visit to become inspired with the creative application of layer masks etc.
It might also be that I'm aspiring to do something beyond my reach and I should just combine 2 or 3 photos of people into a final group picture. That just seems so boring to me. But, sometimes boring can be more palatable then intense frustration.
Thanks, Patty
YrbkMgr
I can't help with websites for stock photos, so hopefully someone will chime in with some sources.
That notwithstanding, once you get your images, my recommendation is to do some "rough sketches" of how you think you want the layout to work. From there you can drill down into the detail and I'm sure some folks here will help you figure out how to achieve your look.
Fwiw, I too had trouble figuring out the language that surrounds channels and masks. It's easier than it sounds, its just that some of the terms or language surrounding it can get confusing.
Finally, if this were my project to do, I would be taking family photos of my parents, my grandparents, my children, my siblings, and thier children and creating a composite of us all together (since no photo like that exists in the family) - I would avoid surrealism only because most of my world is pretty surreal already <grin> - really though, I find surrealism an artistic trait that I simply don't possess.
Peace,
Tony
clarke patty
Just wanted to tell you thanks for the input. I followed your advice and did a family thing. Took a current picture I had of the house where my great grandpa lived that is a historical preserved site in Arkansas and "masked in" my 81 year old dad, my aunt & cousin who are 90 and a couple other 70-ish relatives. I was very proud of the end result and think I'll get a pretty good grade! I do now have a better understanding of masks and stuff too! I'm glad you steered me away from the surreal thing. You give great advice.
Next project is designing a CD cover.
Thanks bunches,
Patty
Gustavo Sanchez
When I need a picture for personal experiments (so, no other use), I usually seach in galleries of digital cameras' reviews or armies (US, Canadian, etc...) web sites.
This is because they usually post pictures that have enough quality to experiment with them. Many other places suffer from excesive JPEG artifacts.
I do not overindulge in downloading, however. I feel it's somehow "unpolite".