Fantasy Island

[Horus]

No, not the TV program I was taking macro (very close-up) photographs of a Dandelion clock when the thought struck me that it looked like a little island with palm trees on it. So I added a moon and some waves to create this little fantasy island and thought you might like a look.

[Grandad]

That's brilliant Horus

But I always have a 'how did you do that' question when you post one of your creations. This time it is "How did you get all the background black"? That complicated dandelion simply could not have been cut out as a selection????

[Kiya]

Very nice with a great imagination from you Horus I would never of thought of it myself ...its lovely

[Horus]

Thank you folks, Grandad would you like a quick answer to your question, or would you like me to do you a short tutorial to explan the proceedure better? It involves a similar technique to this picture that I posted in another thread that had to have a similar technique applied to it as the original is only plumes of smoke, which is difficult to photograph.

Best expanded as large as possible to see colour, texture and the background.

[Grandad]

Horus, I think a SHORT tutorial would be best but please don't spend too much of your time on it.
Many thanks

[Horus]

OK Grandad here is the short tuition.

First of all it is easy to get the jet black background if you start by using a black background.
So when I am setting up for my macro picture, I use the black side of a round reflector or a piece of black card behind the subject. See the unedited picture below:



Drop the picture into Photoshop or similar and zoom to a suitable size where you can see the background more clearly.

The first thing you will notice is that all the small creases and light reflections on the circular screen is very noticeable and uneven, so if you tried to sample this colour you would get all sorts of variations.

Next select IMAGE then ADJUSTMENTS then LEVELS and you should see something like this:

You may have to sit closer to your monitor to see the detail


Now move the (top) left hand slider across towards the right hand side and the black will become very pure and even in colour as seen here:



At this point you can ‘Crop’ whatever you need and ‘Paste’ it into a new larger picture size so that you can position the ‘crop’ anywhere you like within it.

Once you are happy with it just use your ‘eye dropper’ to sample the black background colour and use the ‘Bucket Fill’ to flood the empty space around your crop.

That’s about it mate.

[DJKeefy]

Hey well done Horus. I love it (not sure about the moon though)

[LovelyLadyLux]

You definitely get an A++++++ in terms of creativity H. Would have never dawned on me to even create something like that but it is super cool. Nor would I have ever thought about doing a background that way either.

Nice photo and more - even an interest picture. If the entire world explodes and goes down and if this is all that remains those aliens of the future will really have something to scratch their heads about and think.

[Horus]

Thanks folks. Keefy the moon is another of my own pictures and it was just added to give a focal point for the light shining on the waves.

[Grandad]

Thanks a lot Horus, I will copy and print to keep with all your other tutorials.

[Horus]

Just a little update for my friends on here.
I was extremely chuffed today to find that my Fantasy Island picture above was being showcased on a well known camera manufactures world site as one of only six pictures that are considered by the members to be the best ones. They all have equal 1st status and they remain there until knocked off by a more popular picture, which of course is inevitable as time passes otherwise they would never change, but in my case 1 day of fame is a compliment.

[Jayway]

WOW !! CONGRATULATIONS HORUS - : http://www.egypt4u.com/forum/posting.ph ... ilies&f=32# AND --- maybe you could make one with sun +blue sky+sea??? thankyou for this post ---

[Kiya]

A big Congratulations from me...Well Done

[Ruby Slippers]

Congratulations from me too, Horus!

[Grandad]

Jolly well done H

It is a stunning picture and I marvel as to how you got those seed 'parachutes' SO sharp, brill

[Horus]

Thank you all very much indeed.

[LovelyLadyLux]

WOOO HOOO H!!! CONGRATS and WAY TO GOT!!!!