Photoshop Dioramas

JohnReid · 15 April 2004, 07:53 AM

Maybe this is old hat to you guys but I have just seen some photos of where guys have used their own models as part of a Photoshop composition.The whole idea just blew me away.I really do think that this could very well be the future of modeling,creating art with your own models.What a neat idea! I always thought that the future of our hobby was dim until now.What a great way to appeal to the younger generation by combining computers and modeling to create a whole new artistic direction.I am 63 and I want to learn how to do this.Where do I start?

Cheers! John.

JohnReid · 15 April 2004, 08:49 AM

Me again

If you would like to see some nice examples of what I am talking about go to

http://home1.gte.net/konman/AcesMenu.html

Cheers!

15 April 2004, 09:55 AM

Looks like you left the colon out of the address, John.

http://home1.gte.net/konman/AcesMenu.html

Photoshop is rather pricey (if you didn't already know) but very powerful. There are many books and tutorials available to help you learn how to use it. If you photograph a model against a uniform background color, you can delete that color, rendering it invisible, and place the model in front of anything. You can even paint your own sky.

Model railroaders have been on to this for some time, adding smoke to the images of their steam engines.

JohnReid · 15 April 2004, 12:08 PM

Sorry about the colon.Thanks for the info. Cheers! John.

Xeidos2 · 15 April 2004, 02:01 PM

Paint Shop Pro is about 1/6 the cost of PhotoShop and for this kind of project it would probably get identical results.

One of the bigger challenges facing someone trying make these kind of compositions is getting a good image of the plane model. A regular camera usually doesn't have the depth of field to keep everything in focus. The fuselage will be in sharp focus, but the wing tips will be fuzzy. I would imagine some of the modeling websites would have tutorials on how to get good photographs of models.

Another thing to be mindful of is making sure the light on the model matches the light in the background image.

Tim West · 18 April 2004, 07:07 AM

Hi all,

Even better than PS Pro for those on a budget or those who just want to try out a raster program would be very happy with The Gimp. A full function graphics program that can do almost everything that PS and PS Pro can do. Best part is its free!! Not a bad app for the money B)

http://www.gimp.org/index.html

Interesting concept, using real models with CG that might be fun.

Cigogne · 19 April 2004, 12:41 PM

Hey, accept no substitutes... there are alternatives to paying full price if you want the REAL Photoshop. The latest version is Photoshop CS (version 8) and, yes, a bit pricey. But... why not buy version 5 thru 7? Here is how you can do it.

1. Buy a used version of Photoshop. You can do this at Half-Price books are related outlets, etc. that sell older software.

2. Buy Photoshop Elements, which is a stripped down version of Photoshop, but has the essential functionality for working with images.

3. Buy a scanner that has Photoshop/ Photoshop Elements bundled with it.

Also, when working with images, it is important to pay attention to light source/directional lighting. It stands out like a sore thumb when you put a model with certain lighting in front of an image that is lit completely different.

My two cents worth!

19 April 2004, 05:44 PM

Cheaper still has been to borrow my Mom's original to dabble with it (PS Version 4 point something.)

Before you bemoan the morals of today's youth, I am 51 and she is 80.

Mark_Miller · 19 April 2004, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cigogne@Apr 19 2004, 02:41 PM
[b]Also, when working with images, it is important to pay attention to light source/directional lighting. It stands out like a sore thumb when you put a model with certain lighting in front of an image that is lit completely different.

I must agree with Cigone.
Photoshop is undoubtably the best image edit software out there.
Haven't tried Paint Shop Pro in something like 10 years.
But, it wasn't any match for Pshop then.
and the corel product is unimpresive.
But, I have used Pshop for so long I would probably have a hard time switching to another application regardles of quality

Also agree about the importance of matching the light source.
but, chosing a background with an indistinct light source can make life a little easier.

Lots of great background images on the web
Here is my favorite:
Jeremy Engleman
click on "sky set"
If you are into 3D Cg work check out all the textures
some great stuff in here.

Tim West · 19 April 2004, 11:48 PM

Cigogne,

I have not upgraded to CS yet, is it worthy spending the money to upgrade? Are there any neat features included.....like incremental saves? or other cool stuff

I would also agree with you and Mark that there is no beating PhotoShop but if I had to choose between PS pro and Gimp, I would go with The Gimp.

Oh, I do have a copy of MS Photo Draw, and it to is better than PS Pro. MS mailed me a copy as a beta gratuity and I have used it on a limited basis from time to time. It s geared more towards the casual user and has some powerful features but its still not PS.