Another double exposure

Anthony8858 · #8 07-04-2001, 05:56 AM

Ron,

Can you describe the "layers" in your double exposure?

Kind of a "step by step" process to create that image.

Ron · #9 07-04-2001, 08:50 AM

It's not really a show do thing, it's more of a make it up as you go thing as each set of images will require a different process.

The image of my daughter posted a while back (her and her boyfriend at the beach) was a composite of about 4-5 images.

This one of the senior is 2 images. I started with portrait image which was lit by the sunset. I cropped it and moved the subject a bit left to allow for the rest of the composition. I then loaded up one of the silouettes I shot of her. The silouette was a bit large, so I used transform and scale and shrunk it to make it visually comfortable in size. I have two layers in pshop, The silouette is on top.

Because the sun-set sky color didn't cover the entire portrait picture beneath it, I grabbed an area of the sky and copied it and pasted it in the upper left of the portrait image. I alighned it to it just touched the edge of the silouette image. (to extend the sky) It didn't 'mesh' well where it matched up with the right side of the sky, so I used transform, flip horz to flip it over which made a better color match at the seam.
I set the transparancy of the 2 soluette/sky layers to 50% or so, so I could see the portrait underneath. I then used a eraser tool with various brushes to uncover the portrait image underneath. I use sharp edge and soft edge brushes and different eraser transparancy settings as I work to wipe away parts of the two top images (the copied sky and the silouette) to reveal the portrait under neath. Once I get this to where I like it, I reduce the transparancy of the two upper levels (sky and silouette) so that they are no longer transparent. I then flatten the layers into one for final clean up. (blending the sky with the silouette to clean up the seam) and to clean up the edge around the subjects hair where all 3 layers blend.

This is pretty much the steps of the process, of course, I also moved around the top layers so that the composition is nice, and things alighn well. Compare the first one I did with the re-done one. The later is better composed and the sunset and reflection in the water lines up nicer with the lighthouse/pier that is in the portrait shot.

What's neat is - you can do this with pretty much any picture/theme. You can have a child reading a book, and have a multiple exposure blended in of a photo of a page in the book (showing the page he is reading) as if you are seeing what the child is seeing or thinking.... I've done this will film double exposures in the past and it's awesome.

Anthony8858 · #10 07-04-2001, 10:07 AM

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.

I'll give it a try.

Myron_Bursell · #11 07-07-2001, 09:39 PM

Cool photo.......It is great to do something like that.........
I am using my D30 for all my seniorsa this year.......I'm excited about it I have already had good response from the kids.
I do not tell that I am using digital, some know and some do not know, but they like the retouching and skin tones I can add which adds deepth.
Keep up the good work......

Myron [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Ron · #12 07-07-2001, 10:28 PM

Wish I could use it for all my seniors. I've shot 44 so far, all appointments for July and August are filled, (about 125 per month)
Then will finish up in September.

I do use it for my "few" beach sessions, and I have been using it on my daughters sessions. She's a senior this year and we're shooting a few pics each month for her.

Here's one...
Kami-senior-Pic.htm

Norm_Cabana · #13 07-07-2001, 10:43 PM

Ron,

From a guy who can't take decent photos of people, are you by any chance planning to teach classes on how to do this stuff? I'm referring to the lighting, posing, and Photoshop work.

Thanks

Norm Cabana

Ron · #14 07-08-2001, 09:09 AM

I'm asked that all the time.
I don't know if I could teach, I don't really have many rules, I just go by how the pose and shot feel to me. I haven't figured out how to teach or share a feeling.

The light for this one was all natural. (I use no flash outdoors - EVER) I did use a reflector to take some light from the sky and throw it in from the right side. This also gives the eyes a major kick. (my major goal when shooting portraits). This was taken very late (about 7:30pm) and the sun was very low behind some trees.

The retouching on this one is minimal. I duped the layer and gaussian blurred the bottom layer. I then use the eraser on the top 'sharp' layer and slightly erase away the sharp layer in places I'd like to soften. I then flatten the layers and use the rubber stamp to smooth out the skin a little. (remove freckles from the shoulders etc.)

That's about it - this is a typical bread and butter senior shot, like those I do all day this time of year.