"In every marriage more than a week old, there are grounds for divorce. The trick is to find, and continue to find, grounds for marriage." --- Robert Anderson
Not sure if you're interested, but I took the original B&W photo a few years ago. I just recently used my tripod with an indirect light source to capture the image digitally so that I could edit it.
I first used Serif PhotoPlus editing software to colorize the background and to adjust the contrast and brightness. I used the smudge tool to blend some surfaces and fill in areas that had been cropped in the original. I tried to match the original textures and tones so that the new and the old would blend seamlessly.
To preserve J's identity, I chose a mask that I thought would complement the New Orleans feel of the setting. Because her features are so distinctive, however, I had to add the cigarette holder and smoke to further obscure her appearance. I added a flower to her hair just for whimsy. The image's soft, painterly quality comes from the software's median cut filter, which I applied once the I'd edited the image the way I wanted it.
J says this manipulation is among her favorites. I'm glad you like it as well.
Thanks for the breakdown. Being a graphic designer and semi-practicing artist myself, I'm always very interested in the process used within a digital photo manipulation and the resulting art. I'm not familiar with your program thought, I use Photoshop.
E: I can't afford Photoshop. (-; I'm using a couple of freeware applications that are sufficient for what I'm interested in doing just now. If I had Photoshop and could magically become proficient, I would no doubt enjoy its capabilities.
Jane: I have a couple others in the works, but some just won't translate to the blog. Masking J's identity without compromising the composition is a challenge, so some paintings are for my eyes only. And, of course, J balks at letting me post nudes, even if her face is obscured.
I'll try to get another manipulation up in a week or so. Meanwhile, I'm working on another Retrospective installment. It's not been an easy one to write; our relationship sustained some serious damage during that time.
6 Comments:
J is very beautiful. I like very much what you do with the photos -- very creative. Her poses are also quite interesting.
Thank you, WN. She's definitely easy on the eyes and an inspiring subject.
Not sure if you're interested, but I took the original B&W photo a few years ago. I just recently used my tripod with an indirect light source to capture the image digitally so that I could edit it.
I first used Serif PhotoPlus editing software to colorize the background and to adjust the contrast and brightness. I used the smudge tool to blend some surfaces and fill in areas that had been cropped in the original. I tried to match the original textures and tones so that the new and the old would blend seamlessly.
To preserve J's identity, I chose a mask that I thought would complement the New Orleans feel of the setting. Because her features are so distinctive, however, I had to add the cigarette holder and smoke to further obscure her appearance. I added a flower to her hair just for whimsy. The image's soft, painterly quality comes from the software's median cut filter, which I applied once the I'd edited the image the way I wanted it.
J says this manipulation is among her favorites. I'm glad you like it as well.
Thanks for the breakdown. Being a graphic designer and semi-practicing artist myself, I'm always very interested in the process used within a digital photo manipulation and the resulting art. I'm not familiar with your program thought, I use Photoshop.
Are you lining up a show? I hope so.
E: I can't afford Photoshop. (-; I'm using a couple of freeware applications that are sufficient for what I'm interested in doing just now. If I had Photoshop and could magically become proficient, I would no doubt enjoy its capabilities.
Jane: I have a couple others in the works, but some just won't translate to the blog. Masking J's identity without compromising the composition is a challenge, so some paintings are for my eyes only. And, of course, J balks at letting me post nudes, even if her face is obscured.
I'll try to get another manipulation up in a week or so. Meanwhile, I'm working on another Retrospective installment. It's not been an easy one to write; our relationship sustained some serious damage during that time.
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