Weekly Assignment #146: Dissolved Portrait

[Nikolai]

(Inspired by one of the last posts by Brian Laser, although many did use this technique before him)

The idea is to place the subject relatively close to the background, put the camera on a tripod (or somehow else secure its position), take two images - one with the subject, one without it and finally blend them in your favorite image editor.
Please note that for this task you don't want to create so called "textured portrait". Instead you want some areas of the subjects being completely replaced by the background. The partial blend should only take place on the area borders, if at all.
Tips:

take the subject shot first, then the background only
for better final image place your subject as close to the background as possible
to get the proper effect (i.e. for the final image to make sense) you may need to put some exta tweaking: duotone/bw, some artistic filter, etc.
Good luck dissolving! :wink

[dlscott56]

Is there a sample of this somewhere? Not sure I understand.

[Nikolai]

Is there a sample of this somewhere? Not sure I understand.
Sure: second (BW) one in here:
http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=1437960&postcount=7
It's not exactly what I had in mind (her face is semi-transparent), but you can get an idea...

[dlscott56]

Sure: second (BW) one in here:
http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=1437960&postcount=7
It's not exactly what I had in mind (her face is semi-transparent), but you can get an idea...

Ok, thanks.

[catspaw]

nifty. am going to have to give this one a try -- with an interesting background of course!

[PupWeb]

Displacement map of your subject? Or would this give your subject too much depth?

[Nikolai]

Displacement map of your subject? Or would this give your subject too much depth?
No, DM is not what we're after. It should be conceptual/design (i.e. manual) decision, not relying too much on the subject darkness...

[Pixel Popper]

I don't see any posts in this thread, so I am not sure if it's not active, or if there is a different issue. Anyway, I wanted to post for this assignment, and get any feedback you all would care to offer. Thanks!

http://howard-starrett.smugmug.com/Art/Artsy-Stuff/i-Mp44r3C/0/XL/Illusions-in-Blue-XL.jpg

[Nikolai]

I don't see any posts in this thread, so I am not sure if it's not active, or if there is a different issue. Anyway, I wanted to post for this assignment, and get any feedback you all would care to offer. Thanks!

Thanks for playing! :thumb
Despite of the lack of entries, I'm afraid it doesn't qualify. :dunnoPlease read the guidelines for the task. :deal

[Pixel Popper]

Thanks for playing! :thumb
Despite of the lack of entries, I'm afraid it doesn't qualify. :dunnoPlease read the guidelines for the task. :deal

Ah, sorry about that. I looked at the example image without fully comprehending the specifics of the guidelines. :dunno Very well, then, off to find a more appropriate place to post. Then to retry the assignment with a better understanding.:thumb

[reyvee61]

I can't believe no one is playing...sounds like fun.....

[Nikolai]

I can't believe no one is playing...sounds like fun.....

Well, apparently dgrinners mostly belong to one of three groups: those who already know everything there is to know about photography, those who think they already know everything ther is to know about photography, and, last but not least, those who don't give a damn... :wink

[Bryce Wilson]

This image was taken this past summer in the manner described in the assignment. I wasn't going to post it as it was done prior to the assignment being given. But, as no one else seems to want to do one and get it critiqued by someone that really knows what they're doing and is willing to offer advice, I will.

My daughter. She's at that age where she feels Just Like Another Brick In The Wall.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6733417577_34ce32436e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/6733417577/)
Just Another Brick In The Wall (http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/6733417577/) by Bryce Wilson (http://www.flickr.com/people/60399337@N06/), on Flickr

[Nikolai]

This image was taken this past summer in the manner described in the assignment. I wasn't going to post it as it was done prior to the assignment being given. But, as no one else seems to want to do one and get it critiqued by someone that really knows what they're doing and is willing to offer advice, I will.

My daughter. She's at that age where she feels Just Like Another Brick In The Wall.

[/URL]
[URL="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/6733417577/"]Just Another Brick In The Wall (http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/6733417577/) by Bryce Wilson (http://www.flickr.com/people/60399337@N06/), on Flickr
Great entry, thank you! :clap I love the concept and the treatment! :thumb
Especially considering I am a "Pink Floyd" fan :-) :wink:rofl:deal

[ChrisJ]

Well, apparently dgrinners mostly belong to one of three groups: those who already know everything there is to know about photography, those who think they already know everything ther is to know about photography, and, last but not least, those who don't give a damn... :wink

There's a fourth group: those who have kids and don't have much time for cool photography anymore! :wink

[Nikolai]

There's a fourth group: those who have kids and don't have much time for cool photography anymore! :wink

Oh, man, I said "mostly"... :deal:wink There are all sorts of exceptions :rofl

[PappyRoot]

Great entry, thank you! :clap I love the concept and the treatment! :thumb
Especially considering I am a "Pink Floyd" fan :-) :wink:rofl:deal

I am sorry if I seem dumb, I am a newb to photography. But why is this one great and on the mark but the last one not? I reread the rules, I looked at your example and can't figure out why one is acceptable and one not. They both look the same to me.

Love & Prayers
Darryl

[Nikolai]

I am sorry if I seem dumb, I am a newb to photography. But why is this one great and on the mark but the last one not? I reread the rules, I looked at your example and can't figure out why one is acceptable and one not. They both look the same to me.

Love & Prayers
Darryl

Darryl, the difference is essentially described here: "Please note that for this task you don't want to create so called "textured portrait". Instead you want some areas of the subjects being completely replaced by the background. The partial blend should only take place on the area borders, if at all."
HTH