Layer Mask

[antoeknee]

After Stans Snow Leopard post and the work with layer masks I had a play with this and some images from my visit to BWC.

Original image
Cat by tblake2007, on Flickr

As you can see the fence in the background isn't too attractive.

So decided to use this as a background
Grass by tblake2007, on Flickr

Actually there was a barn owl in flight in this shot but I cloned it out. Then duplicated the cat layer over the top and used a mask to reveal the new background. When you're doing this if the new background is close in tone etc. to the original you can hide the new background by clicking the icon that looks like an eye on the background layer.

After using the mask (admittedly a bit rough in the this example) I added a bit of a gradient to the background to hopefully give a more natural look.

Merge by tblake2007, on Flickr

You'll notice a bit of a halo because I've been a bit caviller with the mask, but more time and care would hide this.

Using layer masks isn't too difficult so have a play.

[Stan]

Re: Layer Mask

Well done and quite easy to get to this stage ?

Stan

[antoeknee]

Re: Layer Mask

Yep once you've done it once (did this ages ago so had to reacquainted myself with technique) its really quite intuitive.

[antoeknee]

Re: Layer Mask

Just to show how simple this is this is quick 5-10 minute edit

Original images

Sky
Sky by tblake2007, on Flickr

Sea Eagle
Sea Eagle by tblake2007, on Flickr

And merged
Sea Eagtle merge by tblake2007, on Flickr

As before bit more time and result would look better.

[Brian Sugden]

Re: Layer Mask

I thought it may be worth mentioning the revised rules for competitions/exhibitions run by the RPS, PAGB, FIAP etc., which can be found here http://www.rps.org/news/2014/may/nat...inition-agreed

Regards,

Brian

[Dave_S]

Re: Layer Mask

That's an interesting read Brian, and I think a very common sense approach.

Its obviously designed to prevent cheating by digital manipulation, which will unboubtedly please some, but not those that adopt the process to try and gain higher marks.

There's no doubt that 'layer masking' can change an average image, into to a good one, as both Stan and Tony have demonstated, but they have been completely honest about it, but is everybody?

That said, if its well done, how are these organisiations go to know that an image has been 'frigged' in this manner.

If they are going to rely on honesty alone, then it will be open to abuse.

Dave

[Tigger]

Re: Layer Mask

I need to give this a try - cheers for the information and the before and after

There's no doubt that 'layer masking' can change an average image, into to a good one, as both Stan and Tony have demonstated, but they have been completely honest about it, but is everybody?

That said, if its well done, how are these organisiations go to know that an image has been 'frigged' in this manner.

If they are going to rely on honesty alone, then it will be open to abuse.

Dave

This is the problem now Dave, you can't always believe what your looking at

[AndyMulhearn]

Re: Layer Mask

That said, if its well done, how are these organisiations go to know that an image has been 'frigged' in this manner.

If they are going to rely on honesty alone, then it will be open to abuse.

Having to provide the original raw image if your submission is shortlisted would be one way I could think of. A simple comparison between the shot taken and the one submitted would very easily demonstrate that someone had broken the rules.

[Dave_S]

Re: Layer Mask

That would certainly be one way of doing it Andy.

Personally, I think that digital image manipulation is good fun, and an extension of the hobby. Provided that one isn't claiming it 'as shot', then for hobby purposes its fine.

However, for competition purposes, I don't think it is playing fair. You might get a guy that's a damn good photographer, but not that skilled at photoshop, competing against a less than good photographer, who is very skilled with photoshop.

The latter being able to use that skill to turn a not so good image, into an impressive one.

Dave

[AndyMulhearn]

Re: Layer Mask

That would certainly be one way of doing it Andy.

Personally, I think that digital image manipulation is good fun, and an extension of the hobby. Provided that one isn't claiming it 'as shot', then for hobby purposes its fine.

However, for competition purposes, I don't think it is playing fair. You might get a guy that's a damn good photographer, but not that skilled at photoshop, competing against a less than good photographer, who is very skilled with photoshop.

The latter being able to use that skill to turn a not so good image, into an impressive one.

No argument from me Dave, I think you're spot on.

[the black fox]

Re: Layer Mask

Nicely done ,something I have never done yet ,but worth looking into,one of my FLICKR contacts dies it frequently to the point of all images look false though

[Dave_S]

Re: Layer Mask

That can be the temptation, and the potential problem Jeff.

Dave

[Stan]

Re: Layer Mask

Having to provide the original raw image if your submission is shortlisted would be one way I could think of

that is what the big competitions do anyway. When one of my shots for the British Wildlife Photography awards was shortlisted they wanted the original raw file

Stan

[AndyMulhearn]

Re: Layer Mask

that is what the big competitions do anyway. When one of my shots for the British Wildlife Photography awards was shortlisted they wanted the original raw file

Yes, I was reasonably sure I'd heard the requirement mentioned before.