How to Cheat in Photoshop

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Posted on 28/11/13 6:55:46 PM

vibeke
Kreative Kiwi
Posts: 2166

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Re: Challenge 481: The view from above

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Posted on 29/11/13 07:53:09 AM

Steve Caplin
Administrator
Posts: 7052

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Re: Challenge 481: The view from above

A great set of reclining bodies from ahmedalij starts this week's entries, with two couples who fit the rooftop well - even if the man on the far right does seem to have an unfortunate facial skin condition. I like the warmth you've added to this scene, which gives it a good late evening feel.

A timely (ha ha) entry from Josephine Harvatt, who is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who - and, by the look of the avatar, turning into a bit of a monster as well. Great choice of bodies: I like the way the couple on the left are in dark shadow - and that hurtling Tardis is a great addition.

A very neatly modelled umbrella from Garfield72, although I'm sorry you've had such trouble with the shadow. It looks to me as if it's simply not sitting on the ground plane, which could be the reason why it looks like it's floating. The manually added shadow in the second entry works well, except for the rectangular block that goes over the umbrella itself - and, of course, the remaining original shadow of the umbrella, still on the ground. The reclining nude fits well in there; the man, though, has been photographed too close, and has too much perspective for this distance.

Some well-placed cats and dogs from Emy, and the man up the ladder works well - looking for another cat? I especially like the way all the shadows have been added, matching the originals perfectly. Nicely done.

An ambitious entry from vahn, who has transported the balcony to a far more exotic seaside setting. And it very nearly works: there's something about the mismatch of angles that makes the pool look a little awkward down there. A great close-up eagle, though, and a good reaction from the woman on the balcony.

Once again michael sinclair, for reasons best known to himself, has provided his own starting picture - and then gone on to populate it with a fine assortment of bodies, so neatly nestled in there you hardly notice them at first glance. Well, I suppose it is on-topic, after a fashion, but it would be good to see what you can do with the image I provide. All those empty balconies, though, are surely a missed opportunity for mischief.

A sparkling alien invasion from Deborah Morley, with a 3D spaceship terrorising the rooftop. I like the man gesticulating at them, except that his perspective is too extreme for this distance. But the new lighting works particularly well. A very interesting entry.

I'm always amazed by the lengths that tooquilos goes to: the still image features a wide range of spying material, all collated and overlaid to make a convincing FBI desktop. I like the grimy depiction of the crime scene in the animated version - and the parade of evidence. Poor old Manuel, though.

Some great goings-on from joeysala, with people liberally sprinkled around the scene - and performing some seriously dangerous stunts on the flimsy trellis. Excellent shadows, blending in perfectly with the originals; I especially like the subtle reflection of the woman sitting on the floor below. The man nearest us is too strongly in perspective for this distance from the scene, though. It's a tricky thing to gauge.

I thought at first that James had opted for a still image this week, but there's plenty of subtle action: the girl on the recliner changing position, the pair of doves on the trellis, the woman on the balcony below, and the goose waddling into shot and being chased away by the cat from upstairs. Splendid!

Extraordinary work from Mariner, who has perfectly integrated a rooftop pool into the scene, complete with reflections of the building and trellis - and with floating corpse, very neatly semi-submerged, as well as a collection of surprisingly sanguine bystanders. And a terrific new background for the whole building, too. A huge amount of work and thought has gone into this - fantastic entry, Michael!

A crowded terrace from Vibeke, with a fine cast of characters, all with appropriate shadows... I like the man sitting on the balcony below, and the new background town. Very nicely populated.

Posted on 29/11/13 10:10:11 AM

Deborah Morley
Makeover Magician
Posts: 1319

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Re: Challenge 481: The view from above

Thanks Steve, thought he looked a bit wrong, but couldn't work out what it was. Is this better? I have angled him more.

Posted on 29/11/13 10:38:54 AM

Mariner
Renaissance Mariner
Posts: 3126

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Re: Challenge 481: The view from above

Thanks Steve. As you say, a lot of work went into that, but it's true - when you love what you do then it isn't work at all.

Posted on 29/11/13 10:48:45 AM

Steve Caplin
Administrator
Posts: 7052

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Re: Challenge 481: The view from above

Deborah Morley wrote:
Thanks Steve, thought he looked a bit wrong, but couldn't work out what it was. Is this better? I have angled him more.

The angle does help, but the real problem is that the photo of the man was taken too close to him, which means there's a strong perspective difference between the size of his head and the size of his feet.

From the distance at which I took the terrace photo, you'd hardly see any difference in those relative sizes.

Posted on 29/11/13 1:21:55 PM

josephine harvatt
Gag Gadgeteer
Posts: 2603

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