Composite

[jjeling]

I tried a new type of composite photography the other day. Instead of rotating them and aligning them together, this is a base/background image, with a number of photos layered on top. This one happens to include 4 images. The background is a normal image, then the layers are added with varying degrees of opacity to fit your need. I tried getting each person in there from two different angles. The lighting made it kind of difficult. Anyone with experience in this please chime in. Thanks again. Cheers!

[Mad Aussie]

These are so hard to pull off well. I usually add some graphic elements as well when I use this. Haven't done so for a long while though.

I think the technique tends to make things look too busy and messy. It also tends to take away from anything in the photo that was well done on it's own merits and becomes more 'art' than 'photography' I think.

For this I think seeing as you have a very busy background I would probably have put in less extra musicians.

[jjeling]

Those were my thoughts exactly. It is really busy. Not too sure How much differently this could have gone. This is the first time Ive tried anything like this. I just laid pictures on top of one another. I think Im going to try it again in a few days and try cloning things in. Ill end up posting the revised version in this thread. Thanks for confirming my thoughts.

[Mad Aussie]

There's so many ways you could play with those images and make a nice layered composition out of it.

My advice would be to think more basic. My first instinct would be to use only the the background of the room with it's purple chairs and the curtains etc and then blend in the large musican playing the cello (?) I think it is. The big ass voilin thing anyhow

Start there ... use layer masks as well so you can have more control over the blending process and when you have him right ... maybe look at adding another musician to the fray.

Sometimes though ... less is more.

[jjeling]

I tried this again. This time I cloned them in different positions at 100%. It still seems like it is too busy. Or maybe I should have cloned them in at less opacity. Either way, this case is closed at this point. If anyone else wants to give it a try Ill post all four pictures so you can try. Other than that, this is what I got. PP is a skill I really need to develop. In the meantime Im going to stick with the camera.

[Mad Aussie]

Not that I have time right now but I'd have a go at it for you if you wanted. I could then send the PSD file to you if you liked it so you see how I did it. steve@astrovisual.com.au

I like this version you've done better, simply because it's less confusing more than anything else.

[Marko]

I like your first version way better. For me it was quite interesting, I mostly had a problem with all the empty space especially the whole top left. I think I'd play with the placement again so that the composition flows a bit better....this is hardstuff tho for sure

[jjeling]

It is extremely hard. After Steve's post I decided to send him the originals. He did an awesome job with it. I have found both version I have done interesting. It is abstract, I am a sucker for abstract, can't help it. He did end up completing a few versions of this. They are much more professional than mine, and compositionally are much stronger. As long as he says ok I would like to post his results?

[Mad Aussie]

It is extremely hard. After Steve's post I decided to send him the originals. He did an awesome job with it. I have found both version I have done interesting. It is abstract, I am a sucker for abstract, can't help it. He did end up completing a few versions of this. They are much more professional than mine, and compositionally are much stronger. As long as he says ok I would like to post his results?

Go for your life

[jjeling]

First off, I have to give credit to Mr. Aussie. These are his works, using my images. This is quality editing and composition management. Thanks again Steve. Good work.