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How to add smoke, breath or fog to an image


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Hi guys. I took this photo of my son on a very chilly evening. After doing my edit to it, I'm pretty happy. I just think that seeing his warm breath in the frigid air would add something special to it. Every time I try to add it, it looks really fake! I've tried different tools and opacities, but still can't get what I want. 
*I'd also like to know how to achieve a realistic smoke or fog to an image.. not this one, but others. =) Thanks!

Millersburg, Ohio Family Photography_0144.jpg

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Have you seen any images out there with "warm breath" showing?  Can you post a link so Damien can follow what you envisioning.  If not, that's ok.  Sometimes it's just something we have in our heads.

As for the other images, I think it's better if you post images for the smoke and fog to go on (new threads)...I suspect each image is different?  Also here link examples of images with smoke or fog that you have seen if you can.
 

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Sure! Here's a few examples: 

In this photo, I highly doubt that the cat would stir up this much dust with it's feet. So, I'm assuming it's dust created in post. (She does a lot of similar dust/fog/smoke.) https://500px.com/photo/72652233/dust-on-the-way-by-elena-shumilova?ctx_page=2&from=user&user_id=1171535

Another by Elaina (unless Russia is just incredibly polluted, lol. j/k) https://500px.com/photo/29546491/last-winter-walk-by-elena-shumilova?ctx_page=4&from=user&user_id=1171535

And, here's one by Adrian. He has a lot of infiltrating light indoors. I'm assuming using a similar technique? https://500px.com/photo/139904245/speaking-between-the-lines-by-adrian-c-murray?ctx_page=1&from=user&user_id=2977031

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I asked for "breath, fog, or smoke." I was thinking breath for the original photo I had shared, but was interested in learning the technique for all three scenarios (assuming that they all used a similar approach). 

Ok, here's a breath shot: https://500px.com/photo/94343515/breath-by-elena-shumilova?ctx_page=2&from=user&user_id=1171535

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Perfect.

So, what you need to do is set up your kettle in front of a black backdrop.  As it boils, take various photos of the white steam against the black.  Save them all to your "steam library".  When editing them, make sure the black is perfectly black - 0/0/0 values.

Then, it's easy enough to File>Place one of those files onto your photo, and immediately change its blend mode to "Screen".  Then play with its rotation, size and opacity to your desire.

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Awesome! I'll give it a try once the holiday weekend is past and will share my results! Thanks for the advice. I'm excited. 

In regards to fog, do you have a similar suggestion? 

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