How to Cheat in Photoshop

Steve Caplin wrote:
A terrific blend from puffin31939, who has replaced the modern ship with some perfect sailing vessels. I really like the extra crispness and warmth you've brought to this image - very impressive.

Clever work from GKB - that interesting sloping building is in fact the Oslo opera house, which is just a short distance up the coast. The sloping approach, incidentally, leads right down to the sea.

A fine view from Emy, with the man transplanted to a mountain setting. The only thing that stands out here is that he seems to be floating slightly: the position of his feet doesn't appear to align with the ground somehow, and it may be to do with those grasses next to him.

A gorgeous night view from Frank, with subtle illumination on the man neatly matching the colours and tones of the background. A beautiful and expert job, Frank.

A neat book cover from brewell, very tastefully designed. I think you may be trying to cram too much of a story into that background, though, what with two women (is one of them a nun?) and the Statue of Liberty.

The figure in sciteach's entry seems oddly unperturbed by the approaching fleet, despite the fact that they're heading straight for him. I like the way the smoke blends in - very dramatic.

A fine sailing ship from Ben Boardman, fitting perfectly into the scene. What an extraordinary cutout job - must have taken you hours to trim around all that rigging! The rowing boat adds a neat focus on the right, too. Nicely achieved. Thank you Steve enjoyed this one/

I like James's serene scene, especially the way the man turns his head as the boat passes. Some great movements from the dog, too: you've really got this animal movement down perfectly, James.

A clever transplant from Linda Eckert, who has not only moved the man but blended the background into a new location. I like the additional dog, who adds interest to the foreground. (Incidentally, the photo is mine - David was just posting it for me this week.)

A fantastic scene from ahmedalij, who has not only added period sailing ships but has dressed the man in vintage clothes. Adding the trunk, of course, meant not having to replicate the clothes in the reflection - a clever solution! I like the frame in the second entry - very good work.

A novel approach from srawland, who has flipped the boat and castle to duplicate the background. It's a neat idea, but is it just too symmetrical to be convincing? Some judicious editing of the reflected version - perhaps removing the spire, adding a window or two - would help to break up the symmetry. The second entry works much better!

A glorious scene from tooquilos, with magical goings-on in the distance. Is that a camera the man's standing in front of? And does he perhaps need a shadow? Some splendid light effects in the animated version - very atmospheric!

Very find colouring in Josephine Harvatt's sunset image - I especially like the translucent fur beneath the dog. But it does raise the question: does the man need a shadow? And how would it appear on that wet, shiny deck?

Very neat ship removal by Garfield72, but is that new view too sunlit for this overcast day? I don't think we should be able to see such strong shadows on the buildings. I prefer the second entry, with its attractive harbour - I like the way the boats curve around towards us.

A great view from Daniel Millar - but what I like most is the additional figure, with his cleverly worked reflection in the wet planks. Very nicely achieved!

Detailed work from Mariner, who has not only changed the background, he's removed the man and the dog entirely. Excellent replacements - I especially like the reflections of the boy and the boat. The only change I'd make would be to desaturate the boy a little, especially his bright shirt and shorts.

A great view of a period ship fro Deborah Morley, very neatly filling the background - it looks as if the man's staring straight at it. Is the land on the right a little too close, though? Still trying to spot the splodge removed in the second entry!

I like Ben Mills' period boats, which convey just the right feel. But I get the odd sensation that they're floating in the air - is it just me or do they appear rather too high up in the scene? Shouldn't they be on a level with the other boat?

A dramatic naval battle from darren, which you'd think would draw more of a crowd. I really like the clever way you've extended the jetty and added the rowing boat - very nicely done!

Good motion and a great boat from michael sinclair, with a very neat animated gif. One small suggestion: flip the man's head so he's looking at the ship, rather than to the side of it.