That is really cool. You softened the edge of the pool enough so that it is not catching your eye but allowing it to remain focused on what's important.
Sorta - but (imo) not as much as if you got rid of the poolside completely and created a continuous watery bg to match the fg. To me, you've got a good silhouette, with the head/shoulders/arms - the poolside bg doesn't add - it subtracts from the clarity of the border / outline.
With the pic in post 31, try copying it onto another layer, rotate the lower layer 180 degress, move it down a little so's the swimmer in the lower layer isn't confusing the main (upper) layer image of same ... and blend in the under layer water as a new bg.
Do this very crudely / quickly (with layer mask) to get an idea - and see what you think.
Having a continuous watery fg / bg offers other creative options too - imo.
Don't forget that you already have a better water bg on the other arm flick pic, for this sort of approach.
<< Does this fly >>
With the pic in post 31, try copying it onto another layer, rotate the lower layer 180 degress, move it down a little so's the swimmer in the lower layer isn't confusing the main (upper) layer image of same ... and blend in the under layer water as a new bg.
Do this very crudely / quickly (with layer mask) to get an idea - and see what you think.
Having a continuous watery fg / bg offers other creative options too - imo.
Don't forget that you already have a better water bg on the other arm flick pic, for this sort of approach.
pp
Interesting idea. The blurring of the pool didn't seem to add enough to the picture but removing it from the bg... that might make the swimmer really pop.
Well done is better than well said. - Benjamin Franklin
After looking at this for a while I think this is now my favorite, just has a more natural feel. For me… Sometimes perfection is overrated. (But the edits are very nice and well done.)
Thanks so much for all of the suggestions and comments. I do like where you went with the edit PP! Thanks so much for the visual. I will perhaps play with the bg from the other water shot. I really wish I would have had more water to play with in real life! The pool is outdoors (obviously) and it is quite short. I didn't have much luxury as far as the b/g goes. If I wanted a head on shot I had to deal with either lawn chairs, or the brown buildings etc. MOST likely the poster will be the main print from this and since I can use the inserts to detract from the b/g it works well. Once again THANK YOU pp and everyone for your comments and suggestions. I'll let you know how he likes it when I put the session online. Oh and Trevor, I can't tell you HOW MANY TIMES I've worked and reworked a photo only to go back to the original, lol! Thanks for making that an option too
Hi Kidzmom: My comments refer to your 08-05-2010 - 6:05 A.M. post. IMHO:
The poster is nice but it sends my eye wandering and never really stopping at one particular photo.
I would like to see a three shot framed one, all photos the same size, with #4 on the left - #2 in the center and #3 on the right.
You have taken a great memory shot for this HS graduate which will be cherished by him, and his family for many years to come.
I know this is quite different from what you started out with, but it is just a casual observer's take on the photos.
Good luck.
After looking at this for a while I think this is now my favorite, just has a more natural feel. For me… Sometimes perfection is overrated. (But the edits are very nice and well done.)
It is funny how sometimes the first is the best but the experiment is fun along the way.
Looking forward to hearing what the swimmer thinks -- I'm sure he'll be thrilled! Good job
Well done is better than well said. - Benjamin Franklin
Comments
Single shot, no post processing, straight out of the camera.
Sorta - but (imo) not as much as if you got rid of the poolside completely and created a continuous watery bg to match the fg.
To me, you've got a good silhouette, with the head/shoulders/arms - the poolside bg doesn't add - it subtracts from the clarity of the border / outline.
With the pic in post 31, try copying it onto another layer, rotate the lower layer 180 degress, move it down a little so's the swimmer in the lower layer isn't confusing the main (upper) layer image of same ... and blend in the under layer water as a new bg.
Do this very crudely / quickly (with layer mask) to get an idea - and see what you think.
Having a continuous watery fg / bg offers other creative options too - imo.
Don't forget that you already have a better water bg on the other arm flick pic, for this sort of approach.
pp
Flickr
Interesting idea. The blurring of the pool didn't seem to add enough to the picture but removing it from the bg... that might make the swimmer really pop.
This is a *VERY* quick'n dirty shufties / try - just to see what it might look like.
I'll leave it to you to decide whether (or not) it's worth persuing / doing properly...
I didn't bother blending the bg water into something else - all I wanted to do was surround the guy's head with the stuff.
pp
Flickr
Kelly
My Photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/freezethemomentphotography/
http://www.kfsphotography.smugmug.com
The poster is nice but it sends my eye wandering and never really stopping at one particular photo.
I would like to see a three shot framed one, all photos the same size, with #4 on the left - #2 in the center and #3 on the right.
You have taken a great memory shot for this HS graduate which will be cherished by him, and his family for many years to come.
I know this is quite different from what you started out with, but it is just a casual observer's take on the photos.
Good luck.
ED
Photoman74.smugmug.com
It is funny how sometimes the first is the best but the experiment is fun along the way.
Looking forward to hearing what the swimmer thinks -- I'm sure he'll be thrilled! Good job