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In A Hard Place... Again!

© Norman P. Banks

In A Hard Place... Again!

Uploaded: June 16, 2007

Description

Iraq
Artistic rendering of photographic images

*Available for Purchase

Comments

Steve M. Harrington June 16, 2007 0

A fine image, Norm. The tones, texture and color are quite effective.
Steve #674500

Pat Gamwell June 16, 2007 0

Powerful & dramatic shot, Norman! The lighting is exquisite! #4401986

Norman P. Banks June 16, 2007 0

Thanks Steve & Pat, I'm glad that you both liked the image!

It sort of came together of its own accord while I was practising making displacement maps.

The two images that I used for practise were chosen at random, a brick wall and a bald eagle.

After blending the two, I sat back and shut down "active mind" and let "still mind" play and this is what was suggested! (smile)

Norm #4403099

David Pratt June 17, 2007 0

Great work Norm! Very dramatic is right. It took me a few minutes to pull the eagle out of the background. Very nice work! #4403937

Norman P. Banks June 18, 2007 0

Hi David, thanks again!

Another Photoshop moment. (smile)

Norm #4406720

Roxanne M. Bubar June 18, 2007 0

Fantastic details, textures and image. #4409794

Norman P. Banks June 19, 2007 0

Thanks so much, Roxanne!

Using a displacement map of the foundation image allows a much more realistic blending of the two images.

Norm #4412448

Mitch Spence level-classic June 19, 2007 0

Well, you know, I didn't see the eagle at all. Not at all. I saw all the textures and colors, saw what is actually the eagle as an element of light, and felt the image was ambiguous, and stramge, and very interesting. But I didn't see the eagle. Huh. I don't know about displacement maps and will have to investigate. #4414225

Norman P. Banks June 20, 2007 0

Hi Mitch!

Thanks for the interesting commentary about this imsge.

I use to layer images and then spend time trying to feather, blur, burn/dodge and soften the edges, so as not to have them appear as if layed on top of one another.

A displacement map made of the foundation image makes the overlying image flow more into the nooks and crannies of the foundation and appear more realistic.

This is great for backgrounds with texture and designs like the brick wall used in this image.

As I told Steve, the idea that was suggested to my mind as I looked at the result was the war in Iraq. The Eagle symbolising the U.S. seemed to be in a dark place or alley and that was how I came up with the title.

Thanks again
Norm #4416448

Mitch Spence level-classic June 20, 2007 0

Norm, thanks for your explanation on displacement effects. I knew I had just run across this somewhere and just found it again. Very interesting. The example there was quite different from what you've done here, but I see what's going on, sort of. After I realized that the eagle was there, I did connect it to the symbolism regarding Iraq. #4416553

Norman P. Banks June 21, 2007 0

Hey Mitch, it was my pleasure!

Since I responded this AM, I've come across a great definition of a DMap.

"It is designed to conform one image to another using the shades of grey in the image to create the distortions in the second"

Norm #4417864


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