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Posted on 22/03/10 00:12:10 AM |
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George Green
* Posts: 7 Reply |
Fixing background perspective
Hello: I have taken a portrait of a woman sitting on a bar stool. I took this picture against a plain wall as background, with the intention of replacing the wall with a landscape. However, now that I have done that, she looks like she is floating in the air, and the whole picture looks very artificial. How can I fix this to make it look like she really was sitting in the background I have chosen? Thanks for any suggestions you may have. |
Posted on 22/03/10 04:57:12 AM |
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Babybiker
Shadow Spectaculator Posts: 151 Reply  |
Re: Fixing background perspective
Hi George, Is there any chance you could post the photo montage so we can get a better idea of what the problem is? |
Posted on 22/03/10 05:20:09 AM |
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vibeke
Kreative Kiwi Posts: 2157 Reply  |
Re: Fixing background perspective
Assuming your background has the right proportions it's probably a question of shadows. _________________ Perfect confidence is granted to the less talented as a consolation prize. |
Posted on 22/03/10 08:39:32 AM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 6934 Reply  |
Re: Fixing background perspective
I think this is almost certainly a horizon/eyeline issue. But we really do have to see the pictures to give an informed opinion! |
Posted on 23/03/10 01:30:44 AM |
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George Green
* Posts: 7 Reply |
Re: Fixing background perspective
Hi Folks: Thank you for your replies. I have attached a copy of the reworked picture. The scenic background replaces the original wall,and the red base replaces the original floor. I fitted both replacements to fit the dimensions and perspective of the originals exactly. Evidently, this didn't work to produce a real looking image. Any suggestions? Thanks George  |
Posted on 23/03/10 02:05:19 AM |
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Jota120
Ingenious Inventor Posts: 2615 Reply  |
Re: Fixing background perspective
Most people dont seem to like my comments. Sorry. I just do it in the best of faith in us all. She looks like a grand women. It s not the background perspective, but you need to fit her in the foreground I think? With a little bit of interest. I might have some images if you want that might fit the light (most important) That carpet is really bad. Maybe you get some Finish timbers, for the floor to put her feet on. Steve will get you on this, she has no seat. We cannot float in space! 
Ignore me, but I would really like to help you make this image work for you. Others here too. |
Posted on 23/03/10 04:36:32 AM |
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vibeke
Kreative Kiwi Posts: 2157 Reply |
Re: Fixing background perspective
Hi George here is a quick idea that might be of some help  _________________ Perfect confidence is granted to the less talented as a consolation prize. |
Posted on 23/03/10 07:53:57 AM |
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George Green
* Posts: 7 Reply |
Re: Fixing background perspective
Hello Vibeki: I love what you have done with the picture; technically, it does solve the immediate problem. However, the background scene is critical to the composition; ie: the two churches in the picture are important and are relevant to the subject, so it is critical that they be clearly visible. Your placement of the wall, on which the lady is now sitting, is a very clever solution. (Believe it or not, she is sitting on a bar stool, which is hidden by her skirt.) I will download your picture and experiment with chopping off the window area, leaving just the wall. Or maybe reduce the width of the window frames. Or experiment with other variations. Thank you for your ideas! Regards George |
Posted on 23/03/10 10:00:31 AM |
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Nick Curtain
Model Master Posts: 1768 Reply  |
Re: Fixing background perspective
George My view is that this all comes down to the old question of eyeline level. I would guess from the womans pose that you have taken the shot with the camera approximately level with her face, because we are looking down on her hands / knee. The horizon line in the background should be at roughly her eyeline level. My suggestion would be to replace the carpet (agree with Trevor) with either some paving or grass shot from the correct angle and add some more shadow under the dress. Nick |
Posted on 23/03/10 5:14:48 PM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 6934 Reply |
Re: Fixing background perspective
I agree with Nick's assessment. The carpet looks artificial because it isn't in perspective, and that's a problem. And you really need something for her to sit on! |
Posted on 24/03/10 04:40:34 AM |
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Babybiker
Shadow Spectaculator Posts: 151 Reply |
Re: Fixing background perspective
Three things spring to mind in addition to Steve & Nick's advice - 1- The use of carpet (any carpet) in an outdoor scene is visually un-nerving, especially when it is cut off against water, with no kerb, railing, wall etc. It's not something that you would normally see. 2- The subject seems to be too far back in the composition, when compared to the edge of the floor... perhaps bring her down just a touch so she is not hovering over the water. (even covering the top half of her body and looking at just her legs and the floor / water) 3- Rotating her slightly clockwise might help with the percieved balance of the subject. Would a stone wall be a suitable solution to the seating issue? |
Posted on 24/03/10 10:32:19 AM |
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George Green
* Posts: 7 Reply |
Re: Fixing background perspective
Hi Folks: Thank you for your comments. I have incorporated your ideas, and the following is the result. I think it is an OK effort, for a couple of hours work. The expletive deleted wall and pavement took a long time to get right, but in the end looks almost real. Thanks again for all of your suggestions  |
Posted on 24/03/10 10:53:29 AM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 6934 Reply |
Re: Fixing background perspective
Much better. For comfort, I'd move the floor up so her foot rests on the ground - she looks in danger of toppling off. Also, the light on the buildings in the background comes from the left, so her shadow should be to her right, and rather softer (use Gaussian Blur to smooth it). I like the way you've done the top of the wall. |
Posted on 24/03/10 11:47:09 AM |
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Nick Curtain
Model Master Posts: 1768 Reply |
Re: Fixing background perspective
Agree with Steve that the image looks much better. I think that final touches could be to :- Warm the figure up a little using a Photo Filter adjustment layer to blend her with the ambient light. Add some shading to areas where the directional light would be hidden. Slight application of the smudge tool on the hair is always a great way of adding realism. Be subtle though!. Nick |
Posted on 24/03/10 12:22:12 PM |
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Jota120
Ingenious Inventor Posts: 2615 Reply |
Re: Fixing background perspective
That looks much better to me. Great idea and rendering of the foreground IMHO and the perspective works well . I think the extra effort was worth it. Steve and Nick have good additional suggestions of course.
Another small suggestion, I would maybe pucker her skirt as goes from the horizontal part of the wall she is stting on and falls down over the vertical. Just a very small hint would work I think and place her tighter on/with the wall. Trevor |
Posted on 26/03/10 02:33:57 AM |
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George Green
* Posts: 7 Reply |
Re: Fixing background perspective
Hi Folks: I have incorporated many of the more recent suggestions, and here is the final product. As a result of the suggestions I have received here, I have learned a lot. So thank you all for your suggestions. It also occurred to me as I was reading your suggestions, that I would not want to be on trial for anything and have any of you come in with the crime scene photos. You would get me not only for every unsolved murder in town, but also for the JFK assassination, Monica Lewinski's dress, and probably even global warming. Regards, George  |
Posted on 26/03/10 8:06:10 PM |
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Nick Curtain
Model Master Posts: 1768 Reply |
Re: Fixing background perspective
Hi George Our comments were not meant to be critical and were designed purely to assist. I hope they were taken in the spirit intended. For me, the most important element when making montages is the match in lighting. You can make the best cut out in the world, but if the light is at different a temperature / direction / intensity, the job of making the image look natural is very difficult. The lady is casting a strong shadow on the wall, yet the shadows are not carried through the image, for example parts of her upper left arm would be thrown into shadow by her torso. The lighting on the background and wall is warm, but she appears cold in comparison and perhaps a little too bright. My recommendation would be to shoot the model in the same lighting conditions as that present in your intended background. Sorry for these comments after the work you have put into this, but I'm afraid she does look 'put there' Nick |
Posted on 28/03/10 01:25:56 AM |
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George Green
* Posts: 7 Reply |
Re: Fixing background perspective
Hello Nick: No, of course I do not take any offence at any of the comments made by people who responded to my picture and subsequent changes. That, after all, is why I posted the picture and asked for comments. My final (tongue in cheek) comment was, in fact, meant as a compliment to the people who were responding with suggestions and comments. Their insights and technical analysis of the pictures indicate a level of observation and expertise that is way beyond mine. I am really impressed by the depth of knowledge presented by the comments, yours included. As I said previously, as a consequence of the contributions made here by respondents, I have learned a lot. I now look at my work with "completely different eyes", and notice things of which I was completely unaware previously. Thank you again to all those who took the time to respond and contribute their expertise. |
Posted on 28/10/10 2:53:57 PM |
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dejá_vu
Guest Reply |
Re: Fixing background perspective
This topic has been solved almost 6 months but I could not help making a small point. Do not you think that she is leaning too much to the left? It seems to me that position is somewhat awkward. It seems she is going to fall at any moment
I would try to turn a few degrees to the right, just to look more stable. Just that. Thanks _________________ There are men who fight one day, and are good men. There are men who fight a year, and they are better. There are men who fight many years, and they are very good. But there are men who fight all over their lifes. Those are the indispensable. Bertold Brecht |