Beware of the Dog
Every so often I get this boost of creativity and feel inspired to do something different, even a little outrageous with one of my images. This was the case with this image that I captured when we arrived at San Quirico D’Orcia in Tuscany
RAW file
This is the image straight out of the camera. I haven’t done a thing to it. What I love about this scene is the layer upon layer of the buildings and how the converge. As I stared at it on my computer screen I wondered what it would look like if the buildings were slanted and those stone walls started to squeeze together. I used the “pinch” artistic filter in Photoshop, at about 55%, to bring the stone walls in and the back buildings forward forcing the centre door to inch closer. That looked pretty cool but I still wanted to make it a bit more ominous looking. I had a black and white image of a dark and cloudy sky and used that as a texture overlay using the blending mode “multiply” at 100% opacity. I then used a layer mask to bring back some of the detail in the walls and selectively lighten certain areas.
As you can see from the original image Fido was nowhere to be seen. He is from that village. I captured him only moments earlier standing on one of those high walls. I used the Quick Selection tool to select only him from the image he was in, created a new layer from the selection and then dropped him into this image. And there you have it…Beware of the Dog!
I don’t do these often but its fun experimenting. I would love to know what you think.
Click on the image to enlarge (it really does look better) or to Purchase a Print.
That is absolutely incredible!! it’s hard to believe it’s the same photo. You are very talented Edith :).
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December 1, 2014 at 7:43 am
Thank you so much Cindy. I actually meant to post this on Friday but my day didn’t go as I had planned.
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December 1, 2014 at 12:17 pm
Could it be, you made a workshop with Duccio Nacci? I did this summer and he has shown me all the places you pictured also and posted the last days…
I like them, I like the reworked image as well- just wondering…
Yours,
Mary 🙂
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December 1, 2014 at 7:48 am
Thank you very much for your comment and feedback Mary. No I didn’t attend a workshop with Duccio Nacci. I was in Italy this summer, just my husband and I.
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December 1, 2014 at 12:25 pm
wow… thats nice… I worked with him for one day as birthday present and it was gorgeous… Thought all this pictures are also included in the tour I was really wondering but I think it was really worth it booking his tour- from san gimignano all through tuscany in one day… If you found all this on your own it’s wonderful and a lot cheaper, I think 🙂
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December 1, 2014 at 12:42 pm
Amazing surreal photoshopping. I wouldn’t want to come across that dog.
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December 1, 2014 at 7:52 am
Thank you 🙂
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December 1, 2014 at 12:25 pm
Amazing job, Edith. I have so much to learn in PS and in fact, what you did here, I don’t know how to do so yes it leaves me in great fascination. Just wow! Love, Amy
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December 1, 2014 at 8:05 am
Thank you so much Amy. I’ve been practicing alot but I’m still not where I want to be.
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December 1, 2014 at 12:26 pm
I’ve been studying and practicing, too, and at times almost have tears of frustration because it is so overwhelming to learn LR5 and PS CC all by myself with books. One baby step at a time, that is what I keep reminding myself. In my opinion, I think you are doing an excellent job!!! Love, Amy
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December 1, 2014 at 1:17 pm
I found that watching videos nine also helped a lot.
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December 1, 2014 at 6:10 pm
I was going to buy that set of videos. I just may now. Thank you, Edith. Love, Amy
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December 1, 2014 at 6:35 pm
Does your dog bite ? 😉
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December 1, 2014 at 8:07 am
LOL…I don’t think so.
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December 1, 2014 at 12:44 pm
First, I applause that you learned the tools to create such an image. It takes imagination and patience. The original image has been transformed into a mysterious and possibly a sinister story. I can feel the drama that you created. Well done.
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December 1, 2014 at 8:23 am
Thank you so much Sally. I really appreciate your comments.
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December 1, 2014 at 1:22 pm
Amazing result, Edith! I love what you did with that “pinch” tool, it takes vision to be able to see the potential of a image. Great work!
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December 1, 2014 at 8:33 am
Thank you very much Anne.
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December 1, 2014 at 1:22 pm
What larks!
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December 1, 2014 at 9:02 am
Love the effect. Very artistic.
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December 1, 2014 at 10:39 am
Thanks very much Maralee.
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December 1, 2014 at 1:27 pm
What an amazing transformation, and how much fun coming up with this!
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December 1, 2014 at 11:03 am
Thank you so much Patti.
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December 1, 2014 at 1:27 pm
Well done!
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December 1, 2014 at 11:19 am
Thanks Ted.
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December 1, 2014 at 1:27 pm
Very wonderful shot! I wish you a good week
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December 1, 2014 at 11:40 am
Thank you. The same to you.
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December 1, 2014 at 6:01 pm
I like it very much Edith! 🙂
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December 1, 2014 at 12:26 pm
Thank you Adrian.
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December 1, 2014 at 5:54 pm
I absolutely love it Edith! Very artistic! Great job!!! I love your thinking. 🙂
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December 1, 2014 at 12:53 pm
Thank you so much Boyd.
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December 1, 2014 at 5:57 pm
I think you have created a great image. It’s become magical with a feeling taken from a fairy tale. Love the processing and the final result.
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December 1, 2014 at 2:58 pm
Thank you so very much Otto. That really means a lot.
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December 1, 2014 at 6:15 pm
You have created an atmosphere very interesting! C’est fantastic!
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December 1, 2014 at 3:19 pm
Thanks you Daisy.
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December 1, 2014 at 6:15 pm
Edith, you are so creative. I have no idea how to do any of this post-processing! But knowledge of how to do it doesn’t mean the outcome is great. Nice job!
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December 2, 2014 at 7:10 am
Thanks so much Laurie.
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December 2, 2014 at 9:55 am
What a terrific, creative image Edith. Love what you did with this.
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December 2, 2014 at 8:28 am
Thank you so much Len.
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December 2, 2014 at 9:56 am
This is really cool Edith! Love it
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December 2, 2014 at 4:24 pm
Thanks Mike.
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December 2, 2014 at 11:30 pm
Oh every now and then we have to let out our artsy fartsy! It is what keeps us creatives going my friend. Great job as usual.
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December 4, 2014 at 10:28 pm
LOL…thanks Laurie.
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December 5, 2014 at 5:23 pm
Very creative. Love the textures in the sky, the light on the buildings and the appearance of the dog adds life and a bit of “danger”… well done, Edith.
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December 5, 2014 at 11:45 am
Thank you so much Jane. I really appreciate it.
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December 5, 2014 at 5:24 pm