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Posted on 13/06/25 08:40:07 AM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7014 Reply  |
Challenge 1058: The steam bike
One of the features of the steam rally (the source of last week's Punch and Judy show) was an array of vintage bicycles. I was particularly taken with this bizarre powered version, a truly glorious construction. If you haven't already read my feature in CreativePro on the new features in Photoshop 2025 then prepare to be amazed: here's the original view of the bike, with an automatic Select Subject done in Photoshop: 
Now I reckon this bike could do with a suitably-dressed rider. And to aid you in your task, here's a link to the cutout version. |
Posted on 13/06/25 08:55:41 AM |
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dwindt
Realism Realiser Posts: 892 Reply |
Re: Challenge 1058: The steam bike
That is really remarkable. What a time saver that will be. Well described Steve. _________________ The grass is greener on the other side of the fence because there is more $hit there. |
Posted on 13/06/25 09:36:43 AM |
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Mariner
Renaissance Mariner Posts: 3035 Reply  |
Re: Challenge 1058: The steam bike
I use Affinity Photo which has a very similar tool. It sometimes leaves the edges a little fuzzy. It's good with cutouts of humans. |
Posted on 13/06/25 1:07:37 PM |
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Ben Boardman
Printing Pro Posts: 610 Reply  |
Re: Challenge 1058: The steam bike
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Posted on 14/06/25 12:19:42 PM |
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DavidMac
Director of Photoshop Posts: 5628 Reply  |
Re: Challenge 1058: The steam bike
What a splendid object! However ...... ........ powered it may be ... ........ but not steam powered - that's a petrol engine. I don't believe for a moment that it's vintage. The French VéloSolex, shown below, (which I remember) produced between 1941 and the '70s is more vintage than this invented fantasy. 
Take it from a teenage enthusiast who for years cycled over a hundred miles every week and assembled his own bespoke bicycle, this is a steam punk enthusiast's imaginings. An old(ish) motor and brass fittings bolted on to a cycle frame with cranks, rims, handlebars and brakes that are recognisably post '50s. But it's still a truly splendid object. Somebody put that together with real love and enthusiasm! Wonderful! _________________ The subtlety and conviction of any Photoshop effect is invariably inversely proportional to the number of knobs on it ....... |
Posted on 14/06/25 3:02:10 PM |
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lwc
Hole in One Posts: 3186 Reply  |
Re: Challenge 1058: The steam bike
What if...? 
Faux albumen print. |
Posted on 15/06/25 1:45:44 PM |
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DavidMac
Director of Photoshop Posts: 5628 Reply |
Re: Challenge 1058: The steam bike
You've fitted her beautifully Ben. Can't have been easy with the saddle so oddly low and far back. Loyd you are really good at these. This is very convincing. _________________ The subtlety and conviction of any Photoshop effect is invariably inversely proportional to the number of knobs on it ....... |
Posted on 15/06/25 2:31:24 PM |
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DavidMac
Director of Photoshop Posts: 5628 Reply |
Re: Challenge 1058: The steam bike
SOME "AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS" TRIVIA. Despite numerous popular images Phileas Fogg never uses a hot air balloon in Jules Verne's novel, although the idea is discussed. The balloon was introduced in the 1956 movie with David Niven, Cantinflas and Shirley McLaine. This the one I remember as a young teenager. I loved it! In the movie they use a balloon to leave Paris for Spain. I have added Princess Aouda to Phileas and Passepartout in the basket. This is, of course, completely inauthentic - she had yet to be rescued from sati much further on in the plot. My excuse is that authenticity was never a strong point in this movie anyway. Shirley McLaine as an Indian requires more than a little flexibility of perception to start with! My composite seems to be somewhat reminiscent of nineteen fifties technology too ......... 
 _________________ The subtlety and conviction of any Photoshop effect is invariably inversely proportional to the number of knobs on it ....... |
Posted on 15/06/25 7:22:39 PM |
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lwc
Hole in One Posts: 3186 Reply |
Re: Challenge 1058: The steam bike
Thanks David, I really enjoy making old images. Given the right subject, they have a distinct charm not present in modern digital photography… and besides, adding some noise and a bit of grain helps hide all the imperfections within my work. 
Your choice of a film is perfect, reflects the time frame of a ‘steam powered bike’… well done! The Shirley Mclaine casting is definitely a stretch. 
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Posted on 15/06/25 7:24:16 PM |
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lwc
Hole in One Posts: 3186 Reply |
Re: Challenge 1058: The steam bike
Early Color – Autochrome was a popular method of producing early color photographs. This method was developed by the Lumiere brothers (Auguste and Louis Lumiere) in 1904. It used potato starch granules, dyed red, green and blue, to create colored images on glass, similar to a slide.  |
Posted on 16/06/25 08:00:35 AM |
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tooquilos
Wizard of Oz Posts: 2892 Reply  |
Re: Challenge 1058: The steam bike
http://vimeo.com/1093607335 Ben, the girl fits perfectly. David, I love what you've done with the bike. Solves the problem of finding a rider! Loyd, the vintage sepia one is my favourite. The background of mine is from Rawpixel.  _________________ Dorothy: Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore |
Posted on 16/06/25 09:15:05 AM |
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DavidMac
Director of Photoshop Posts: 5628 Reply |
Re: Challenge 1058: The steam bike
If you go picture searching for these, some of them are just wonderful. I think I did a post about them here years ago. What I find so splendid here Loyd is not the man but the bike! It looks just perfect! _________________ The subtlety and conviction of any Photoshop effect is invariably inversely proportional to the number of knobs on it ....... |
Posted on 16/06/25 09:20:41 AM |
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DavidMac
Director of Photoshop Posts: 5628 Reply |
Re: Challenge 1058: The steam bike
i like the subdued palette Anna. The rider fits perfectly. _________________ The subtlety and conviction of any Photoshop effect is invariably inversely proportional to the number of knobs on it ....... |
Posted on 16/06/25 09:24:35 AM |
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DavidMac
Director of Photoshop Posts: 5628 Reply |
Re: Challenge 1058: The steam bike
BTW I notice there are what look like foot rests sticking out from the rear hub. Do you think when under power the pedals spin dangerously and the feet and legs need a way to be kept comfortably and safely out of the way? _________________ The subtlety and conviction of any Photoshop effect is invariably inversely proportional to the number of knobs on it ....... |
Posted on 16/06/25 2:27:54 PM |
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lwc
Hole in One Posts: 3186 Reply |
Re: Challenge 1058: The steam bike
Great bike crash Anna...! 
David... I started to remove the foot rests, but unless there was away to disengage the pedals they would be needed. The riders ankles would never be the same. 
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