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Posted on 26/06/04 01:43:49 AM |
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russ davey
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George & Jack
Not quite up to the standard of other images in here, but im still learning and I thought I'd post my latest pic 
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Posted on 26/06/04 11:52:59 PM |
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trinityofone
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Re: George & Jack
Not bad! The expressions are priceless! A couple of tip-lets, add some noise to the paper/book to take away the 'drawn' look. With the eyes, unless the 'spong' (maiden will get the reference) look is intentional, add some highlight burn shadowing around the edges and maybe adjust the contrast/brightness of the whites. _________________ It must be Thursday, I never could get the hang of Thursdays |
Posted on 27/06/04 00:17:27 AM |
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russ davey
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Re: George & Jack
Thanks Trinity, the two points you make are exactly the things that were bugging me about that pic. Thanks for the advice. As soon as I did this image, the next day I got forwarded an email and someone had used the same Dummies idea with David Beckham "Taking Penalties for Dummies, by Zinadine Zidane"! I spose its an obvious joke really but its a bit of an annoying coincidence that after I did the pic another person thought of the same (but slightly better!) idea! |
Posted on 27/06/04 00:30:07 AM |
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russ davey
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Re: George & Jack
Ok here's my second attempt - although the pages of the book still seem very cartoony and not very realistic, I added noise wasnt too sure how much to add but this is the result. |
Posted on 27/06/04 00:34:51 AM |
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russ davey
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Re: George & Jack
Always attach the image!  |
Posted on 27/06/04 11:57:07 AM |
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trinityofone
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Re: George & Jack
This is a bit of a hack job but see what you think. For the book, I used Add Noise>Gaussian>Monochrome set to around 3, put a new layer over it and painted a little white for reflections and also added a little more shadowing by the arms and hands. I also dropped the brightness a bit. On the eyes, I added some more shadow and darkened the whites a little. 
_________________ It must be Thursday, I never could get the hang of Thursdays |
Posted on 27/06/04 2:28:44 PM |
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russ davey
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Re: George & Jack
Yeah good job, I think next time ill probably not try and have the book 3D with the white pages showing, ill probably have the spine showing instead as its less obvious. Thanks for the input Trinty.  |
Posted on 27/06/04 6:12:37 PM |
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trinityofone
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Re: George & Jack
In images like this, I'd probably have tried to find a picture of a book and just overlay a different cover, it's very difficult to make a hand-drawn image fit seemlessly into a photograph. _________________ It must be Thursday, I never could get the hang of Thursdays |
Posted on 27/06/04 9:55:12 PM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7000 Reply  |
Re: George & Jack
Russ, Good to see you here. Been a long time! What's with Bush's shoulder? Is that intentional? Steve |
Posted on 27/06/04 10:20:29 PM |
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trinityofone
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Re: George & Jack
(Rubs eyes) I didn't notice that! I'd guess that in the original image, Dubya's right arm was elsewhere and Russ has mirrored the left. Not only do I need a proof reader, I need a proof viewer too - is there any hope for me? _________________ It must be Thursday, I never could get the hang of Thursdays |
Posted on 27/06/04 11:05:34 PM |
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maiden
Golden Gif Gagster Posts: 471 Reply  |
Re: George & Jack
Overall it's a pretty funny image and yes, Trinity, I agree about the 'sponged' eyes. In all honesty I think the eyes and the book distracted me from the wonky shoulder as I never even noticed it. Bush's right arm and shoulder could do with some reworking and I think Trinity's reworking works better particularly on Chirac's eyes which makes his expression priceless. Good concept though. |
Posted on 28/06/04 00:02:41 AM |
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russ davey
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Re: George & Jack
You guys didnt know President Bush has a deformed shoulder? Oh, actually youre right! I seem to have over looked this! But I didnt mirror the arm, its actually an original image and someones suit is wonky!! Im trying to find the original - but have no luck as of yet. The man whos body was used has a very odd shoulder its true! Actually it could be a gun under his jacket? Yes its been a long time Steve, to put things in perspective I was reading one of the threads here about digital cameras - when I visited you in London, you had just got a Nikon Coolpix 9700 (I think) I was very envious but at the time that camera was £900, I see your using something different now! It amazes me how despite how busy you must be you still make time to help other people, thanks!
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Posted on 28/06/04 09:14:34 AM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7000 Reply |
Re: George & Jack
Well, I've finally pensioned off the Coolpix 5000 that stood by me through two editions of the book. I've upgraded to the Canon EOS 300D, which is an absolutely stunningly good camera. Thanks a lot, guys - you paid for it! |
Posted on 28/06/04 09:34:33 AM |
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russ davey
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Re: George & Jack
Looks like a nice camera steve, but no swivel like the old Nikon! |
Posted on 28/06/04 09:38:21 AM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7000 Reply |
Re: George & Jack
I know, ths swivel is a problem. That's why I'm hanging on to the Coolpix for the moment. The expressions on your montage were great, by the way - sorry I didn't mention it earlier. My eye was drawn to Bush's deformed shoulder! |
Posted on 28/06/04 12:13:51 PM |
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russ davey
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Re: George & Jack
Good idea, I was very close to buying a Coolpix like yours, but in the end I couldnt really afford it so I got a Canon Ixus V3 which does the job although not quite as well as the Coolpix. Im now even more envious because I love the way the EOS is digital but also SLR, it must produce some fantasic images! Thanks for your comment on the pic, Im still learning and although I am now coming up with better ideas, I still forget the most obvious innacuracies (like the shoulder there) But thankfully I now have your book to make the things that used to confuse me much easier. I remember coming home from your house before with sheets and sheets of my writing so I could remember all the techniques you showed me. The book is such a great idea, and its so nice that you choose to share your knowledge, techniques and secrets with us all. Im not sure I would be so generous if I had spent years working with photoshop and finding out how best to achieve photoreaslistic images. I suppose with a book at least you have royalties but back when I visited you, you freely shared your techniques which was very kind. |
Posted on 28/06/04 1:58:26 PM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7000 Reply |
Re: George & Jack
When I was midway through writing the first edition I had a sudden moment of panic, realising I was giving away all my techniques. Then I turned the TV on and saw a cooking program by some celeb chef who's written loads of books and made dozens of shows - but he still cooks, though, doesn't he. Kind of set my mind at rest. Aside from that, I really do get great pleasure from helping people to appreciate just what a great program Photoshop is. Something about it just turns me into an evangelist for Adobe. Keep posting your images! Steve |
Posted on 28/06/04 2:28:04 PM |
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russ davey
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Re: George & Jack
Yes that makes sense. I dont think anyone can rival your creative reputation even with access to all the time saving and clever techniques found in the book. Essentially, at least from my point of view you're a pioneer in this field and when you discover how best to do something, its natural that others should want to follow in that direction, so the book just makes that process easier. When you introduced me to a newspaper art editor, he said to me "its always difficult looking through portfolios because there's so many Steve Caplin wannabe's" which I suppose is the same as people wanting to cook like their favourite tv chef. However, I pointed out to him that its not about copying people's work which you admire, instead its about that work having a positive influence on your creations. I was producing montages before I discovered Steve Caplins work, but when I did discover it, it changed my perspective on how things should be done. I didnt seek to copy it, I have just used it as a positive influence to better communicate my ideas. Its a bit like music, the Beatles were pioneers and have changed the way composers and musicians work in so many ways, and influenced them, but that doesnt mean every band today is are "Beatles wannabes" I think personally its about giving people the tools and influencing them to help them express their creativity. Its really is helpful to finally have a book that explains using photoshop in a practical context, something which other books Ive read really dont deal with. |
Posted on 28/06/04 2:36:22 PM |
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trinityofone
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Re: George & Jack
As you've said to me in the past, technique is one thing creativity is another. Even with your book, to use the chef analogy, the dish may still end up tasting like Pot Noodle _________________ It must be Thursday, I never could get the hang of Thursdays |
Posted on 28/06/04 3:29:35 PM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7000 Reply |
Re: George & Jack
Wow! I've never been compared to the Beatles before! An awesome responsibility. Anyway, what's wrong with pot noodles? |
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