I've been playing with the feather/guassian combo--lots of fun. I like this one--makes the truck look like a toy, kinda.
2005-05-31
miles
I use the lens blur in photoshop with a layer mask as a map of the visual planes for this technique. The idea is to give some reference to the distance of the objects in the image from the lens, unlike something like a lens baby. Images like this are more 'impressionistic' though, using the principles of depth of field and creating something more absstract.
Every wonder if PS gives us too much power? I love the look of this, but am finding it so hard to resist copying. *must* ...*resist* ... *copying* ... as the mouse hand moves towards PS to create a layer mask on every picture for the next week...
2005-05-31
miles
Thanks all. Remember the technique is a means to an end, you use because you can see where you want to go and it gets you there.
this is wild. how did it get so deserted? the color and tonality helps emphasize the effect. i am too lazy to do the photoshoppin' for the blur... will need to build my own cheap tilt/shift to do things like this. inspiring!
Absolutely awesome! Reminded me of a shot that won first prize in the World Press photos of the year awards last year http://www.worldpressphoto.nl/index.php?option=com_photogallery&;task=view&id=250&Itemid=87&bandwidth=low2high
Ironically I think yours shots are better, but I suppose David Burnett wasn't allowed to use photoshop!
2005-05-31
miles
haha, thanks David, I'm a huge fan of Burnett's, he carried a view camera around with him to cover the US election and the last olympics, he's a genius and the real deal :)
Well that didn't work :)Let's try again - <a href="http://www.worldpressphoto.nl/index.php?option=com_photogallery&;task=view&id=250&Itemid=87&bandwidth=low2high"> David Burnett</a> If this doesn't do it, it's under the previous link for 2005 winners as first prize under sports stories.
Interesting that you said it was unlike the effect of a lensbaby (at least I think that's what you said), because it really looks like the effect of a lensbaby in that it has made the uhaul seem smaller and in standing out more, a little bit like a toy car. Relentless, I love the effect.
Wow, I had to sit and look for a minute at this to try to figure out if this was a picture of a little miniature U-Haul (although I don't know why one would exist!) in a diorama of some sort or if it was real! It's definately very cool though, I love how it really makes you question the reality of the photo.
I have a lot to learn about photoshop, always a great help to see the work of others. Thanks for the advise, some things are better off left raw. There are far too many slaves to the photoshop beast... but it is ohh so useful, and cost effective too I might add... oh no I am pimping photoshop again. Great work... I dig your portraits.
I need a better photo hosting solution than Blogger, could you give me some tips.
2005-05-31
miles
Some people really see photoshop as evil, I just see it as another tool to get across what it is I saw in my head when I took the photo. Sometimes it's more 'impressionistic' (horrible term) like this one, other times, like the portraits, it's just a matter of minor adjustments. It really depends what's going on in my head at the time. As long as you can be honest about what it is *you* saw I have no problem with it.
I agree, whatever tool or device you need to get across your vision or idea. It's not photo-journalism or news reporting.
I'd never seen those Burnett shots from the Olympics, those are amazing! You have to be unique to use large format for sports photography, it's funny and fantastic!
Miles you know what I think of this image (brilliant) Love all your recent photos as well. Sooooooooooo busy at the moment I am struggling to comment as much as I want too but I am watching the site everyday.
I absolutely love this picture. I'm such a sucker for this kind of images - one's that transform an everyday object/scene into something 'magical'. Thanks for sharing the lens blur tip - using gaussian blur doesn't come close... And I agree with Andy - the picture should be blown up and printed. It's just too beautiful not to be hanging on a wall somewhere...
Comments
Arne
That is a fabulous image - I really like the depth of the image - can you share your secret on processing. I'd like to try this look myself.
2005-05-31
mkaz
fantastic! the darkness and isolation of the truck is great. It looks like it could be the last moving truck for evacuating the city.
2005-05-31
Jordan
Nice "toy" picture Miles. Looks like a Hot Wheels U-Haul or something.
2005-05-31
David H-W
Another great 'toy town' shot, a bit like the tram you took some time ago. This one's great because of the red on the van.
2005-05-31
sushiii
this photo is absolutely gorgeous! impressionistic indeed! it really looks toy-sized!
2005-05-31
mydepiction
Ahhh... my favorite kind of picture selective focusing ;).
2005-05-31
luke
f me thats perfect, so claustrophobic and comic book like. Was the focus blur added in processing?
2005-05-31
chris
I've been playing with the feather/guassian combo--lots of fun. I like this one--makes the truck look like a toy, kinda.
2005-05-31
miles
I use the lens blur in photoshop with a layer mask as a map of the visual planes for this technique. The idea is to give some reference to the distance of the objects in the image from the lens, unlike something like a lens baby. Images like this are more 'impressionistic' though, using the principles of depth of field and creating something more absstract.
I talked about the technique in the comments for this image: http://mute.rigent.com/index.php?ladat=2005-03-08
and there's an example of a layer mask 'blur' map here: http://flickr.com/groups/topic/28514/#comment184520
2005-05-31
frisky?
wicked.
2005-05-31
.:pvav.photoblog:.
Interesting colors and contrasts all around
2005-05-31
Raffi
Wow very surreal. Love it.
2005-05-31
John
Wow, it's just so stark and surreal. Love it.
2005-05-31
Andrew
Beautiful. I'll never get tired of that effect.
2005-05-31
Smoove D
Most excellent. I really dig how the selective focus effect enhances the isolation of the truck and produces a powerful feeling of desolation.
2005-05-31
Michael Czeiszperger
Every wonder if PS gives us too much power? I love the look of this, but am finding it so hard to resist copying. *must* ...*resist* ... *copying* ... as the mouse hand moves towards PS to create a layer mask on every picture for the next week...
2005-05-31
miles
Thanks all. Remember the technique is a means to an end, you use because you can see where you want to go and it gets you there.
2005-05-31
Alec Long
Ya big show-off. ;)
This is excellent. Not only in the blurring, but the tones and lighting effects as well. Great atmosphere.
2005-05-31
gavin
this is wild. how did it get so deserted? the color and tonality helps emphasize the effect. i am too lazy to do the photoshoppin' for the blur... will need to build my own cheap tilt/shift to do things like this. inspiring!
2005-05-31
David
Absolutely awesome! Reminded me of a shot that won first prize in the World Press photos of the year awards last year
http://www.worldpressphoto.nl/index.php?option=com_photogallery&;task=view&id=250&Itemid=87&bandwidth=low2high
Ironically I think yours shots are better, but I suppose David Burnett wasn't allowed to use photoshop!
2005-05-31
miles
haha, thanks David, I'm a huge fan of Burnett's, he carried a view camera around with him to cover the US election and the last olympics, he's a genius and the real deal :)
Check out his stuff here, http://www.davidburnett.com/portfolio.html
2005-05-31
David
Well that didn't work :)Let's try again - <a href="http://www.worldpressphoto.nl/index.php?option=com_photogallery&;task=view&id=250&Itemid=87&bandwidth=low2high"> David Burnett</a> If this doesn't do it, it's under the previous link for 2005 winners as first prize under sports stories.
2005-05-31
David
Hehe - you beat me to it!
2005-05-31
Juice
Interesting that you said it was unlike the effect of a lensbaby (at least I think that's what you said), because it really looks like the effect of a lensbaby in that it has made the uhaul seem smaller and in standing out more, a little bit like a toy car. Relentless, I love the effect.
2005-05-31
Kelly
Wow, I had to sit and look for a minute at this to try to figure out if this was a picture of a little miniature U-Haul (although I don't know why one would exist!) in a diorama of some sort or if it was real! It's definately very cool though, I love how it really makes you question the reality of the photo.
2005-05-31
Eric
Awesome point of focus.
2005-05-31
Joel
I have a lot to learn about photoshop, always a great help to see the work of others. Thanks for the advise, some things are better off left raw. There are far too many slaves to the photoshop beast... but it is ohh so useful, and cost effective too I might add... oh no I am pimping photoshop again. Great work... I dig your portraits.
I need a better photo hosting solution than Blogger, could you give me some tips.
2005-05-31
miles
Some people really see photoshop as evil, I just see it as another tool to get across what it is I saw in my head when I took the photo. Sometimes it's more 'impressionistic' (horrible term) like this one, other times, like the portraits, it's just a matter of minor adjustments. It really depends what's going on in my head at the time. As long as you can be honest about what it is *you* saw I have no problem with it.
2005-05-31
mkaz
I agree, whatever tool or device you need to get across your vision or idea. It's not photo-journalism or news reporting.
I'd never seen those Burnett shots from the Olympics, those are amazing! You have to be unique to use large format for sports photography, it's funny and fantastic!
2005-05-31
Andy (SensorChip)
This is the best example of this technique I have ever seen. My god this needs to be printed 100cm x 100cm. Fantastic work Miles.
2005-06-01
sparx
That's a toy in a toy city that is.
2005-06-01
jane
Fantastic image.. I thought it was a miniature too!
2005-06-01
HARIS PILTON
Nice stuff dude. Awesome colors and DOF.
2005-06-01
Zishaan
This is a fabulous image Miles. Awesome job with the PS.
2005-06-01
Frets
Nice work Miles,
2005-06-01
John [shots]
Miles you know what I think of this image (brilliant) Love all your recent photos as well. Sooooooooooo busy at the moment I am struggling to comment as much as I want too but I am watching the site everyday.
2005-06-03
greg.o
I absolutely love this picture. I'm such a sucker for this kind of images - one's that transform an everyday object/scene into something 'magical'. Thanks for sharing the lens blur tip - using gaussian blur doesn't come close... And I agree with Andy - the picture should be blown up and printed. It's just too beautiful not to be hanging on a wall somewhere...
2005-06-04
admedia
I am going to spend some time looking at this. Amazing.
2005-06-13
mr bill
The selective DOF is wonderful. You've turned what could have been an ordinary shot into something really special.
2005-06-25