• Photos

  • Level

  • Score

In A Hard Place... Again!

© Norman P. Banks

In A Hard Place... Again!

Uploaded: June 15, 2007

Description

Iraq
Artistic rendering of photographic images

*Available for Purchase

Comments

Steve M. Harrington June 15, 2007

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

Pat Gamwell June 16, 2007

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

Norman P. Banks June 16, 2007

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 16, 2007

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 17, 2007

Hi David, thanks again!

Another Photoshop moment. (smile)

Norm #4406720

Roxanne M. Bubar June 18, 2007

Fantastic details, textures and image. #4409794

Norman P. Banks June 19, 2007

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

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

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

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 20, 2007

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


To discuss, first log in or sign up (buttons are at top center of page).

Get Constructive Critiques

Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.


 

Did You Know?

Discussions by Category: You can view photo discussions on various themes in the Community > Photo Discussions section of the site.

BetterPhoto Websites: If you see an orange website link directly under the photographer's name, it's totally okay. It's not spam. The reason: BetterPhoto is the one that offers these personal photography websites. We are supporting our clients with those links.

Unavailable EXIF: If there is no other information but 'Unavailable' in the EXIF (meaning no EXIF data exists with the photo), the 'Unavailable' blurb is not displayed. If there is any info, it shows. Many photos have the EXIF stripped out when people modify the image and resave it, before uploading.


 

The following truth is one of the core philosophies of BetterPhoto:

I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.

You learn by doing. Take your next online photography class.

You &

Love It!


Copyright for this photo belongs solely to Norman P. Banks.
Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.