Deep Thoughts........

© Naveed Sheikh

Deep Thoughts........

Uploaded: April 05, 2004

Description

My first attempt of creating a Portrait of my son Zakariya. This was taken sometime back in 2002. I liked the way it turned out and thought I would share it with all of you.

Comments

Theresa McCloskey April 05, 2004

Very nice, Naveed - love the reflection :-) #114624

Dale Ann Cubbage April 05, 2004

He's beautiful Naveed! This is a great shot, and the reflection is wonderful! I love how you spell his name, too! #465235

Lorelei A. Hoffarth April 06, 2004

This is beautiful! Can I ask - is it a mirror with everything black around him, or is it black plexiglass? I am doing a reflections project for our photo club and would love to try this out. #465294

Naveed Sheikh April 06, 2004

Thanks for the wonderful remarks. Lorelei, to answer your question, it probably would have been easier to do it the way you think I did. But in fact, in the original image Zakariya was laying on our rug, and the background was filled with a TV, sofa etc. With Photoshop, I simply colored in everything black. I then selected his body, made a new layer, rotated it and changed the perspective. By altering the opacity of the second layer, it gave it that "reflection" look. It took a lot of work, but the end result is why I am hooked on Photoshop now! So you see, your method would be a lot quicker. Hope that helps. Thanks again for the comments. Good luck. #465303

Lorelei A. Hoffarth April 06, 2004

Wow ... I never would have guessed! I love Photoshop too, but don't think I could accomplish that! It's lovely, although I was kind of wondering how the black was so "seamless." I'm gonna have to re-think this as my presentation is using slides - might have to try some Photoshop, and then have a few made into slides if they turn out. But I hear it's quite expensive to do that. #465778

Naveed Sheikh April 06, 2004

Lorelei, it really is pretty simple. To get the "seamless" look, just select the colour for the background - in my case I selected black - and as an amateur that I am did it the hard way. I simply selected a large enough brush with feathering for the outer extremities and then a smaller brush size for the inner. I am pretty sure that if any Photoshop pros see this method they will probably think I'm crazy, but it worked for me. ... #465897

Dale Ann Cubbage April 06, 2004

Wow, Naveed, hearing how you did it makes this even more impressive! That reflection looks real! Nice work! #465978

Naveed Sheikh April 06, 2004

Thanks again Dale Ann ! #466004

April 20, 2004

Very very nice pic. I am working for the health of babies. Can I use this pic for my pamphlets, brochure, if yes can u pls mail this pic to me?
Dr Manjeet Kaur #494453

Leah Marshall April 21, 2004

I also like this pic, but would like to offer a suggestion to make it even better. I use real plexiglass to make these type photos for products. I can't pin point exactly what is off with the distortion of the reflection, but I think it should be closer to the subject, and more underneath. Hope I am not offending. #494904

Ian Downey April 21, 2004

Hi there,
I looked at this photo originally and thought how nice and well taken, but, then I found out the other half was manufactured. Personally, and I`m not biased by any means, at least I think I`m not, I feel that photos which are manufactured after the event are not in the real world as they do not record what the person saw or was trying to capture originally.
Now I accept that a certain amount of post processing is necessary at times but to completely change what was shot is not in my opinion a true record of what was taken.
No offence meant by my observations and I hope they are taken in the spirit in which they are given.
Regards,
Ian #495799

Naveed Sheikh April 22, 2004

Sorry all for the delay in response, my computer crashed.... just got it back online. Thanks to all for your comments. Ian, I agree with you. But had you not have found out that this image, besides my son, was fully altered you still would have liked it. I am not a professional, nor do I consider myself to be an advanced amateur; but merely a proud father who tried to make a nice, frameable portrait of my first born to give to my father. As far as the "real world" is concerned, don't you think that props, filters, and simulated lighting (flashes) are also non - real world alterations. Sure they require precise adjustments, and involve alot of skill, but so does the use of photoshop. I appreciate your comments, and your honest opinion and hope that you don't get upset with my comments. #497447

Dale Ann Cubbage April 22, 2004

Naveed, I have missed seeing your work! I'm glad to see you're back! And I agree totally with your comment to Ian. Photography is very subjective, it's what the eye sees and how it is percieved that is important I think. Had you not mentioned that the reflection was manufactured, no one would have known! Because you did an outstanding job on it! Beautiful image, still, no matter how you achieved it! #497450

Naveed Sheikh April 22, 2004

Thanks, Dale Ann for your remarks. Glad to be back ! I will contributing some more in the near future !! P.S. Love your wedding and prom photo's they were GGRRRREEEEAAAATTT ! #497453

April 23, 2004

Naveed can you pls let me know if I can use your photo-Deep Thoughts, for my pamphlets.Can you pls reply me at my id-mkaur87@hotmail.com #497862

Sherrie H. Penny April 24, 2004

Naveed, wonderful PS-ing.... #499841

Tammy McAllister April 24, 2004

Hello Naveed,
You responded to a photo of mine earlier tonight. Obviously, I loved your photo. Thank you for sharing your son and your knowledge.
Sincerely,
Tammy McAllister
#500439

Naveed Sheikh April 24, 2004

Sherrie and Tammy, thanks for the comments. #500481

Laura Clay-Ballard June 02, 2005

i really do love this one. I can see why you cherish it. #1424634

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