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Morphing out of reality

© Dale Hardin

Morphing out of reality

Uploaded: September 03, 2013

Description

These two have begun to leave the real world and blend into the magic of the circus.

Shutter Speed: 1/80.00 F-stop: f/5.6
Focal Length: 18.00

Exif: F Number: 5.6, Exposure Bias Value: 0.70, ExposureTime: 1/80 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 1600, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 18.00 mm, Model: SLT-A77V

Comments

Joannie Bertucci level-classic September 03, 2013

Great imagination Dale and your presentation is perfect! :-) #1543078

Dale Hardin September 03, 2013

Thanks Joannie. I was a bit apprehensive about this because I didn't know if anyone would get it. It's kind of off the wall. #10832158

Stephen Shoff September 03, 2013

Are they morphing or are you? #10832176

Susan Williams September 03, 2013

I'm scared. #10832193

Elaine Hessler September 03, 2013

I'm confused. #10832196

Dale Hardin September 03, 2013

I figured this would be a bit "out there" for most people. Found these guys at a farmers market in Toronto and shared their table as we all ate crepes.

They were very interesting guys and very animated and social but when I asked for a photo, they complied but became rigid and expressionless.

They were partly in front of a very colorful background that intrigued me, so I expanded it and changed their shades and textures to match, thus, morphing them into the scene. I thought it created an interesting and unusual result. #10832203

Debbie E. Payne September 03, 2013

I'm speechless, not to mention clueless. The guy in the yellow shirt definitely has some of you in him... Right? #10832239

Susan Williams September 03, 2013

Actually Dale, I think this is very creative. I think you should do the eyes of the man in the yellow shirt similar to the eyes of the man in the blue shirt, just to lessen the possibility that this is real. #10832258

Dale Hardin September 03, 2013

Interesting reaction, Debbie and Susan. This is how these two guys looked. I just applied a mixture of detail reduction, color changes to match the background, and a few other tweaks here and there. Also modified the background.

I didn't change the basic features. I did think it created a bit more interest that the one on the left, looked sort of natural, while the one on the right looked as if I'd applied a cartoon type application to him. #10832283

Susan Williams September 03, 2013

Well, the one in the blue shirt has a funny looking ear. #10832308

Dale Hardin September 04, 2013

I see what you mean Susan, but that "ear" is actually the face of the man behind him. If you look closely, you'll see he is looking down and is facing the camera.

Had I noticed that, probably would have made a bit of a separation. #10832878

Michael Kelly level-deluxe September 04, 2013

I am in the "don't get it" category. Sorry Dale. #10832929

Dale Hardin September 04, 2013

No problem Mike. If everyone "got it" there would be no uniqueness in this world. #10833102

Debbra Bailey September 04, 2013

Hi Dale! I remember you showing me this shot when I was at your house :) I know it is not for everyone, but I love that you get so creative! Their expressions are so funny, especially the guy on our right! #10833178

Dale Hardin September 04, 2013

Thank you Deb. Waiting anxiously for more images of your trip. Probably can find on Facebook, right? :o) #10833203

Debbra Bailey September 04, 2013

Oh Dale, you optimist! I haven't even touched them. We had a foster son move in with us as soon as we got home, and school started again today. I am trying to find my groove, then I might get to a shot or two!! #10833256

Dale Hardin September 04, 2013

Oh, that'r right. It's "me" that is retired isn't it? Forgot what all you working folks have to go through. LOL! #10833305

Elaine Hessler September 04, 2013

I think this has been interesting to see all the different responses. I think you did a pretty good job-it was difficult to tell if this was a picture of a picture. And the guy on the right has the weirdest expression-he looks like he had a lobotomy. This one blend in well, the other guy has a few edges I can see.

Glad you felt comfortable enough to post this experiment. The guy on the right is really weird looking. And are those bullets under the bill of his hat? #10833428

Dale Hardin September 04, 2013

Elaine, I was wondering when someone would comment on the hat. Those are LED lights. #10833459

Peter W. Marks September 05, 2013

Well, I guess that as they gave you permission to photograph them it is ok. But I do have reservations as this is leaving me rather uncomfortable as I am another one who doesn't get it. I am just not sure what I am looking at. #10833889

Dale Hardin September 05, 2013

It's OK Peter. Basically this is two interesting guys that were in front of an interesting background that I expanded. The background was so interesting that I wanted the guys to be part of it, so manipulated them until they blended with it. See? Simple. :o)

And no cracks about the "simple" part. :o) #10834115

lisa anderson September 05, 2013

I think this is very creative, and also very creepy. The effect is unsettling. Great idea, Dale. #10834213

Dale Hardin September 05, 2013

Thanks Lisa. Trying to get outside the box and stretch a bit. Baby steps. #10834273

Peter W. Marks September 05, 2013

OK Dale, I see now what you are doing. I think my unease is similar to what I experience when I look at even the top street photographers' images of down-and-outs huddled in some inner city doorway or a Vietnam vet panhandling.
I know Elaine didn't mean it insensitively but mentioning that one looked as if he had a lobotomy had me thinking how our culture has deteriorated to such an extent that we throw thousands of these folk out of mental facilities onto the streets as "it is too costly to keep them there". #10834347

Elaine Hessler September 05, 2013

I agree 100%. Perhaps I should have used another set of words-hope I didn't offend anyone.

How about-looks like a deer in headlights? #10834378

Rita K. Connell level-classic September 05, 2013

Dale I think where you are going with this is kinds cool, because they are so interesting. but this would be my take I would use your topaz cartoon filter and focus just on the two of them and not the background. then when you select, then I would erase the filter off the background and make it opposite. make them into the cartoon characters. I actually like it. its kinda fun to play around and get outside of the box. I think you need to make it more obvious. #10834596

Dale Hardin September 05, 2013

Rita, the effect is just on them now. That is how I matched them to the background. The idea was for them to blend not stand out. But your idea certainly would be a totally different and interesting take on it. #10834608

Jeff E Jensen September 06, 2013

Hmm, I thought I had commented on this.

This is interesting, Dale, and some interesting discussion as well! #10834879

Dale Hardin September 06, 2013

Thanks Jeff. They were fun guys to visit with. #10835029

Beth Spencer September 06, 2013

Very Interesting Dale! These guys look like some of the patients I take care of! :) I like your idea though! #10835538

Dale Hardin September 06, 2013

thank you Beth. #10835566

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