As I was waiting for the guests to arrive at Venice town hall for the wedding I shot a couple of weekends ago I noticed some masks in a shop window. I took a variety of shots, from different angles, but wasn't convinced that any of them would work out as there was quite a bit of glare from the window, and I couldn't really get an angle I was happy with.
That said, I did try processing three of them, all of which are included on the following page:
Unfortunately though, despite the fact that there are some interesting elements in each of the three shots, none of them ended up being worth posting, and I was about to ditch all three when I realised that they might work if I combined them.
In terms of the post-production: first, I combined the three images by stacking them and using Soft Light blend mode and masks to create an image composed of all three originals. I then duplicated and flipped the image, then used another mask to blend this newly created layer with the three images below it. I then warped and altered the colour balance of the left side of the image and increased the overall saturation using the Channel Mixer. I also added some local contrast using the Topaz Adjust plugin.
I don't have a tutorial that covers this sort of montaging technique, at least not specifically, but many of the techniques I used to blend the original images are covered in my Working with textures: part one tutorial.
The end result is an image, in my opinion at least, that's faithful to the spirit of the original scene, but not the reality. As always, let me know what you think.
Oh, and this one works much better with the black theme.
comment byIlan at 10:08 AM (GMT) on 18 October, 2009
Most people coming back from Venice bring back about the same photos of the same masks.
And, I'm not a big fan of such a 'strong' photo manipulation, but I must admit that even though I've seen these masks thousands of time by now, the final result here is very appealing .
Nice work.
comment byCarlos Garcia at 11:17 AM (GMT) on 18 October, 2009
I like the original three "reality" shots as well, even though I can see the struggle with the glare. These masks are fascinating and a little creepy as well :) The processed image is intriguing... the conversation of the masks... great concept and great results!
C.
comment byKrista at 02:32 PM (GMT) on 18 October, 2009
Hmmm... This is interesting. I like the colours and images, but not sure how I feel about the heavy processing.
comment bychiara at 04:21 PM (GMT) on 18 October, 2009
wow this is lovely
comment byBrooks at 06:20 PM (GMT) on 18 October, 2009
After staring at if for a while, I think I do like it. The only thing for me is the right side of the image is a bit strong. My eyes keep going back and forth between the two sides, like they can't make up their mind. All in all, I think you definitely were able to create a quite compelling image where there once was none. Nice ;)
comment byEnric at 06:39 PM (GMT) on 18 October, 2009
nice mask-mix :D I love the final colors, confusing but exiting
comment by April Pinsonneault at 06:56 PM (GMT) on 18 October, 2009
Although based on photographic images I use a different criteria than photography when I assess this image. For me, this falls into the graphic arts category and I think it is superb.
I have seen Italian Masks: a friend of mine made them and I sat and watched him sculpt them over plaster models in Mazatlan, Mexico; speaking of surreal experiences. Anyway, I wouldn't have guessed that this image was originally an Italian mask. The image evokes mystique and abstract expression although it clearly conveys theater, film, music and yes, I saw masks which I attributed to comedy and tragedy.
I also love the jewel type glimmer in the "forhead" or top of the picture...the glint of jewels speaks of illusion and fantasy and also the great expectations we all have and which we hope art will typify for us. I think it is a great piece and the choice of purple also adds to the ephemeral quality of the image.
I definately like this and somehow find this more user friendly as an addition to one's wall (than crisp clear images). Thanks for describing the processing to us Dave! This floats my boat and I was pleasantly surprised to see you create something in this genre. ***** 5 stars
comment bycsj @ID7 at 07:19 PM (GMT) on 18 October, 2009
This image lifts from my screen, like a 3D image, the more I look, the more I see .... very of the season, it looks like it would go well with a glass of red wine and good log fire. It is haunting / musical / theatrical ..... there you go, my 10pence worth.... good stuff... CSJ @ID7
comment byDave Carrington at 11:27 PM (GMT) on 18 October, 2009
This is an artistic flow worth developing: this has great depth, which is something that I find photography can lack. I admitted to someone recently that I'm a lazy painter who uses digital photagraphy as an easy means to an end: maybe I should re-evaluate my argument..? :-)
comment byJustin at 08:49 PM (GMT) on 19 October, 2009
I say bravo for creative forsight! Great photography and patient creativity together, I think, will always end up interesting.
comment byNick Lewis at 10:33 PM (GMT) on 19 October, 2009
David - This is sensational and a great example of what you can do with images when they don't work on their own or as originally intended. The more I look at it the more I see and I am glad that I hadn't drunk too much wine this evening!
(.......or have I?)
comment bydjn1 at 10:04 AM (GMT) on 20 October, 2009
Thanks everyone :)
comment byAndy at 11:52 AM (GMT) on 20 October, 2009
Very interesting visually; great concept.
comment byAnneli at 11:18 PM (GMT) on 2 November, 2009
WOW! This picture hit me in the stomach with the greatest force! I love the colours and the mysique! W*O*W!!!!!!
As I was waiting for the guests to arrive at Venice town hall for the wedding I shot a couple of weekends ago I noticed some masks in a shop window. I took a variety of shots, from different angles, but wasn't convinced that any of them would work out as there was quite a bit of glare from the window, and I couldn't really get an angle I was happy with.
That said, I did try processing three of them, all of which are included on the following page:
.../archives/venezia_6.php
Unfortunately though, despite the fact that there are some interesting elements in each of the three shots, none of them ended up being worth posting, and I was about to ditch all three when I realised that they might work if I combined them.
In terms of the post-production: first, I combined the three images by stacking them and using Soft Light blend mode and masks to create an image composed of all three originals. I then duplicated and flipped the image, then used another mask to blend this newly created layer with the three images below it. I then warped and altered the colour balance of the left side of the image and increased the overall saturation using the Channel Mixer. I also added some local contrast using the Topaz Adjust plugin.
I don't have a tutorial that covers this sort of montaging technique, at least not specifically, but many of the techniques I used to blend the original images are covered in my Working with textures: part one tutorial.
The end result is an image, in my opinion at least, that's faithful to the spirit of the original scene, but not the reality. As always, let me know what you think.
Oh, and this one works much better with the black theme.
Most people coming back from Venice bring back about the same photos of the same masks.
And, I'm not a big fan of such a 'strong' photo manipulation, but I must admit that even though I've seen these masks thousands of time by now, the final result here is very appealing .
Nice work.
I like the original three "reality" shots as well, even though I can see the struggle with the glare. These masks are fascinating and a little creepy as well :) The processed image is intriguing... the conversation of the masks... great concept and great results!
C.
Hmmm... This is interesting. I like the colours and images, but not sure how I feel about the heavy processing.
wow this is lovely
After staring at if for a while, I think I do like it. The only thing for me is the right side of the image is a bit strong. My eyes keep going back and forth between the two sides, like they can't make up their mind. All in all, I think you definitely were able to create a quite compelling image where there once was none. Nice ;)
nice mask-mix :D I love the final colors, confusing but exiting
Although based on photographic images I use a different criteria than photography when I assess this image. For me, this falls into the graphic arts category and I think it is superb.
I have seen Italian Masks: a friend of mine made them and I sat and watched him sculpt them over plaster models in Mazatlan, Mexico; speaking of surreal experiences. Anyway, I wouldn't have guessed that this image was originally an Italian mask. The image evokes mystique and abstract expression although it clearly conveys theater, film, music and yes, I saw masks which I attributed to comedy and tragedy.
I also love the jewel type glimmer in the "forhead" or top of the picture...the glint of jewels speaks of illusion and fantasy and also the great expectations we all have and which we hope art will typify for us. I think it is a great piece and the choice of purple also adds to the ephemeral quality of the image.
I definately like this and somehow find this more user friendly as an addition to one's wall (than crisp clear images). Thanks for describing the processing to us Dave! This floats my boat and I was pleasantly surprised to see you create something in this genre. ***** 5 stars
This image lifts from my screen, like a 3D image, the more I look, the more I see .... very of the season, it looks like it would go well with a glass of red wine and good log fire. It is haunting / musical / theatrical ..... there you go, my 10pence worth.... good stuff... CSJ @ID7
This is an artistic flow worth developing: this has great depth, which is something that I find photography can lack. I admitted to someone recently that I'm a lazy painter who uses digital photagraphy as an easy means to an end: maybe I should re-evaluate my argument..? :-)
I say bravo for creative forsight! Great photography and patient creativity together, I think, will always end up interesting.
David - This is sensational and a great example of what you can do with images when they don't work on their own or as originally intended. The more I look at it the more I see and I am glad that I hadn't drunk too much wine this evening!
(.......or have I?)
Thanks everyone :)
Very interesting visually; great concept.
WOW! This picture hit me in the stomach with the greatest force! I love the colours and the mysique! W*O*W!!!!!!