photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Canon DSLR Challenge | all galleries >> Challenge 64: Round (host: Sharon Lips) >> Eligible > The Crystal Always Failed To Pay theToll * Traveller
previous | next
April 1, 2006 Traveller

The Crystal Always Failed To Pay theToll * Traveller

I'm trying to learn how to work with transparent layers, and the transform tool. I'll come up either with something better or different during the UCLA game tonight. I think I need a new set of globe shots to work with.


other sizes: small medium original auto
share
jimhwy04-Apr-2006 23:09
This is very cool. I love the shot of the bridge all by itself, but the UFO whizzing through is great. I wouldn't know where to start making a shot like this. I really need to learn a lot more about photoshop. Reading Victor's suggestions is helpful too, but I'd need to learn more just to get to the point of being able to implement what he's suggested. Regardless, this is great. I love the way the blue goes with the orange lighting.
Guest 04-Apr-2006 21:00
Trav, here's how:
1. Make the traces-layer active
2. Add a layer mask: Layer>Add Layer Mask>Reveal All
3. Fill with a gradient: Click on the black and white squares at the bottom of the tools-palette to make the foreground and background colors black and white respectively. Choose the gradient tool from the tool-box (press G on the keyboard) and make sure it is a linear gradient in the options well under the main menu. Now click and drag from the right edge of the photo towards the left. The result is a gradient from black to white on the mask. You can repeat the last step as many times as you'd like, changing the start and end points of the gradient to suit your needs. Remember this about masks: white reveals and black conceals and grey is semi-transparent.
Canon DSLR Challenge04-Apr-2006 19:27
Thanks, Olaf, you ALWAYS come through with a good answer. I have no idea what a gradient mask is, but I have seen it and will explore further. Best Wishes, Traveller
Guest 04-Apr-2006 13:33
Sure you can Trav - just add a layer mask to traces-layer and fill it with a gradient from black to white...
Canon DSLR Challenge04-Apr-2006 13:03
Thanks for the thought Victor, but how do I reduce opacity on a sliding, rducing scale? I did reduce opacity of the Ball and speed lines over all on the transparent layer...but I couldn't do it in a graduating fashion, could I? Thanks again, Traveller
Canon DSLR Challenge04-Apr-2006 04:57
Speed lines, eh? The first time I looked at the picture, I didn't even see the ball and what, to me, looks like a frame supporting it. I'm not sure how I could have missed it. If you really want speed lines, I suggest the following:

* First and foremost (and I think this is actually a must), if it's meant to be coming toward us across the bridge, you need to adjust the perspective of the speed lines. This should be fairly straightforward, since you have lots of parallel lines (parallel to the speed lines) to find your vanishing point. The speed lines should have the same vanishing point.
* Vary the opacity of the speed lines with the distance from the ball. The farther away from the ball, the more transparent they should be, perhaps fading into nonexistence before disappearing behind the bridge so you don't have to mess with that.

But do my first suggestion first. That should take care of at least 90% of the problem, I think.

-- Victor
elips03-Apr-2006 04:46
This is fantastic, Traveller! And I mean that literally! What an imagination you have. I like the nighttime shot of the bridge and the "crystal" being in blue makes for a nice contrast. Since you are working in transparent layers can you make the crystal's "whoosh" a little more transparent? The way it is now it looks a little like there are really long elastic bands attached to it. Maybe that's it, maybe if the whoosh wasn't attached to the crystal it would read more like what I think you are trying to do. A really fun shot! ~Sharon