Banshee

I came across an old image the other day that I don't think I've posted here. I like to combine textures with images that were shot in some proximity. In this case, a boatyard and weathered paint on a shack a few blocks away.

12 layers from 3 images (water was added) with a lot of masking and little use of blending modes.

Very well done. It conveys both the power and beauty of the sea. It also shows the fragility of man's attempts to conquer the sea.

Wow x 10*6!!
Great compositing, Diane. I wish you'd post a tutorial on that one.

Thanks guys! Maybe I'll think about that... But it's really a case of every image is different! About 90% of it is, I put the "texture" layer over the base layer and mask out certain areas that don't fit well. Add a few masked adjustment layers, some clipped to the top layer (no need to clip any adjustment layers to the bottom (BG) layer as they are right above it). Experiment with blending modes on each layer. Pour another glass of wine...

Diane, you are a wizard at combining photos and nearby textures, but this image is so much more than that. I like the blue & orange combination along with the black & white. The white vignette is very effective. You took the shot of the boat at a great angle, too. It all works together so well . . .

I like your how-to explanation!

Very well put together and a great in-your-face POV! Very powerful. And I see we both find a glass of wine part of the routine! :cheers: Could you explain what you mean by " Add a few masked adjustment layers, some clipped to the top layer (no need to clip any adjustment layers to the bottom (BG) layer as they are right above it)."? Especially what is "clipped"? Thanks.

Thanks guys!

Nancy, I misspoke when I said "top layer." Should have said clipped to some of the layers above the BG. A clipped adjustment layer applies to a masked layer, when you want an adjustment to affect only it and not any of the layer below that you see through its transparent areas. At the bottom of the adjustment panel there are 5 icons. The leftmost is the clipping icon.

You don't need to clip any adjustments that are above the BG but below any masked pixel layers because there are no layers below the BG to see through it.

The masked layers are things like the "splashing water" where some parts were masked to reveal what was below, like the boat and the ocean.

Folks, Steve Patterson has published a great tute on clipping layers. Even I can understand it. And it contains a bonus: a darned cute Yorkie.
http://www.photoshopessentials.com/b...ks-essentials/

He's using a clipping mask to affect visibility of parts of pixel layers -- a handy trick. In this image I'm using clipping a little differently (and more simply) to clip an adjustment layer to a masked pixel layer.

Fantastic image Diane!! Outstanding compositing. It is a very dynamic image, you can almost feel the boat coming at you.

When I do my art collages I usually have like 30+ layers and many are adjustment layers clipped to the layer below so I can only change the saturation or hue, or use curves or levels on just that one layer.

Thanks for all the info on clipping layers!

Way to go, Judy! It's a great technique!

A dynamic, powerful, unusual image! The angle of the boat is really unique and effective. The textures make it look like it is plowing through the water on stormy seas. Fantastic colors. I'm slightly bothered by the dark grey, almost black, area in the upper right quadrant--it pulls my attention away from the rest of the image and doesn't blend in well. Excellent work!!

Thanks, Anita -- that area is created by the frame texture. I thought about softening it there -- will have another look.

That's really cool Diane, nice dramatic action and unexpected color palette. Glad to see the technical discussion too!

Thanks Kerry! I need to spend more time playing!