ADA 60cm Spring 2007 - Page 10 - Aquascaping

Steven_Chong · 04-03-2007, 01:39 PM

I've had some PMs asking for help with photo editing. I was planning to share what I learned anyway, so I'll get to it. First, I'll start off by explaining how to use a tool I myself just learned how to use.

Layer masks:

Here's the original photo of the tank, pretty drab. The camera really sucks at picking up differences in green, which I've mentioned a couple times. There's other elements and colors going on in the photo, so the camera's distinction between different greens is not so good. For that, I figured out I could use layer masks to restore the distinction myself.

Start off by copying and pasting the image again on itself in a new layer. From there, you change the settings (color balance, hue/saturation, brightness.contrast etc.) to get it where you want it. Then, create a mask in the layer, and fill it in black. The black mask will make your new layer invisible. Then, use the paint tool, and in the mask, paint over the areas you want to restore with white.

This will be the result. From here, you can edit the main photo, or else make seperate layers and masks for different parts.

I ended up with this:

I've got class now, but I'll be back with cleaning up this photo to its final form, and making the blue background (handy if you don't have cardboard and spray paint handy).

**turtlehead** · 04-03-2007, 05:05 PM

Selective color and levels do the same trick. Which is what I do

Steven_Chong · 04-04-2007, 12:09 PM

I like layer masks because I can play with it in detail a lot. Having a tablet with high sensitivity and playing with things like opacity and brush settings, it's possible to control it even more I think. Lots of ways to do the same thing though.

FelixAvery · 04-04-2007, 02:54 PM

well my camera sucks for color, all the greens come out yellow, and everythign else is red!
so i use iphoto to change it, its really easy, just sliders

Steven_Chong · 04-04-2007, 06:06 PM

I've been going up and down, back and forth thinking about this tank for a while. I've been so unsure of my thinking that I decided I'd call for some backup--

I'd e-mail my high school art teacher (the one who taught me how to think like an artist) and begged for guidance.

I kind of want to share what he wrote back:

Quote:

Hey Steven,
It was great hearing from you. As usual, you have challenged my thinking and here is some things I have been contemplating...
On your first question...

Which is better, other’s opinions or your own intent and integrity, that is something you can only answer. If your original intent was influenced by landscapes from Japan, then you are holding your ground. Just because something does not fit into a preordained mold does not mean it is not worthy. For example, people did not like Van Gogh’s paintings at all. He was ridiculed and teased for the colors he used and the painting style he was creating. Look at Van Gogh today.... Hmm......

On your second question....
I showed the photos to a couple of people who had no idea what you were trying to do, and they got the sense that it was a forested landscape, something you may observe from a train or car along the highway. Seems like you have hit the right feel of the piece. Yes, it is a big mass, and the reason is it is a forested landscape which looks like a big mass. I would contemplate that you may want to differentiate more on your green choices, other then that, I got your idea. I know it is a great tank.

Hope this helps and let me know if I can support you in other ways. Keep tough and strong my friend, I think you are going down the right path.

Pete

Mmm, I'm not surprised Pete couldn't give me the end-all answer to the othere v. own opinion question. That one's up to personal feel like he said.

I must admit though that I'm happy Pete's art students were able to get my motif so clearly . . . it makes me feel happy, accomplished I guess. Opinions of outside artists can be really useful, since theit opinions aren't influenced by Amano or other aquascaping cultures. Especially valuable for someone who doesn't want his work to be Amano-copying.

Steven_Chong · 04-04-2007, 07:12 PM

Trim plants, and try again.

Aquaspot · 04-04-2007, 08:08 PM

This looks more like a winner.

Ben

ranmasatome · 04-04-2007, 08:33 PM

Steven..
I think with the new trim the tank does look better..
The trim does give it more dimension and with the colour scheme on the greens.. i think it would work out to be a great tank.
I do however feel that the moss on sticks?? well.. those have to be trimmed closer to the sticks so that you can see more nuances of the wood that is present there.
Presently..you can see the stick shaped wood.. but only the topish sides...being able to see more, again, would give the tank a little more substance..

I enjoy your tanks alot...just cos.. i think like me..they are more "how we see nature and try to put them in a tank in our own vision" kinda tanks. Don't get me wrong.. i think amano does superbly awesome tanks..but that is how HE sees his nature...and i think they are beautiful and inspirational. Keep truckin man....there will always be others that see what you see...its always like this being less "mainstream".

Steven_Chong · 04-04-2007, 08:45 PM

Thanks Ranmastone. I know what you mean by our work compared to Amano's.

I will eventually trim the moss, but mostly because I have to. lol

This isn't a forest scene after all-- it's a mountain scene, so I just feel that the shape of sticks shouldn't be made too obvious-- because the shape of trees wasn't at all obvious in the place I saw. I know that trimming the moss closer would make it look good-- it's just, not be my layout anymore.

Maybe I'll do it for just the closer trees on the right side because "they're closer"

And I'm still am kind of heart-torn on the trim in the middle.
-on one hand, I just love looking at the spot I trimmed-- it looks, so so so far away . . . yay!!
-on the other hand . . . the other one just resonates with my memories the tiniest bit better.

eklikewhoa · 04-04-2007, 09:13 PM

Looking real good!

Do you think it would give the scape more effect if you trimmed so that the trees are bit more defined? Not so much to where there is gaps in between but just thin it between them.