In memorium

[Stacey Sedgman]

Hi Damien,

 

I lost my dad three months ago and although the concept is becoming somewhat cliche now I would really like to add him in to a photo of my sister on her wedding day two weeks ago. I've cloned out my grandad who was standing beside her and would like to add dad in his place. My attempt so far is attached, I just need help making it more realistic. How do I add a shadow etc around his feet? 

[Christina Keddie]

This is just one person's opinion, but -- I think you're currently in the uncanny valley of it being too close to real.  I think these in memoriam shots tend to work better when it's very clear that the person has been added in as a memorial -- I'd want him to be more transparent than you've currently got him.  And reducing the opacity would, I think, obviate the need for realistic shadows by his feet.

I'm so sorry for your loss, and I think it's lovely that you want to create something like this to honor his memory.

[Damien Symonds]

If your Grandad was there before, could you have used his feet shadow?

[Stacey Sedgman]

Unfortunately no the position of his feet wont work and they're much longer.

[Damien Symonds]

May we see the original?

I agree with Christina, for whatever it's worth.  I think his opacity should be lower.

[Stacey Sedgman]

Here is the original. I will definitely lower the opacity.

[Damien Symonds]

Oh gee, Stacey, that's a gift, use it.  Your Grandad's feet are at a plausible angle that your Dad's are not.  I'd try to use GD's feet, and merge the two men mid-leg if at all possible.  It wouldn't be easy, but it would DEFINITELY be worth it.

[Stacey Sedgman]

I didnt even think to try that. I'll give it a go now.

[Stacey Sedgman]

How is this?

[Damien Symonds]

Oh my goodness, it's wonderful.

[Damien Symonds]

I have a suggestion, but I'm not sure how it will work.  May I see a screenshot of your layers panel?

[Stacey Sedgman]

sure its a very boring layers panel though. I haven't done any levels work to it.

[Damien Symonds]

Whoa.

For future reference: http://www.damiensymonds.net/2010/09/extract-then-copy-vs-copy-then-extract.html

For now, I suggest adding a Levels layer above the dad layer, and clipping it thereto (Ctrl Alt G).  Then change the Levels layer's blend mode to either Soft Light or Overlay, and see if you like the slight extra punch.

[Stacey Sedgman]

Like this? (plus levels done and some other work done)

[Damien Symonds]

Gee, your cloning is pretty obvious in the background

[Stacey Sedgman]

yeah i'll fix all that and probably just go back to the car

 

[Stacey Sedgman]

Cloning better in this one? 

[Damien Symonds]

Good on the left, bad on the right.

[Stacey Sedgman]

Reworked the entire image from Raw all the way up. Happy to post in levels class too. How is the cloning and ghosting edit in this one.

[Damien Symonds]

No, sorry, the repeated patterns are still really obvious.

You'll need to find some generic greenery from a different photo to put in there, I think.

[Stacey Sedgman]

ok will do thanks Damien.