…or, how to make the subject matter of a perfectly mediocre photo nearly unrecognizable.
https://meanderingpassage.com//wp-content/uploads/images/2020/05/EBM-20071021133612A.jpg
Turn’s out it took about ten adjustment layers in Affinity Photo, numerous tweaks in Exposure X5, and a number of hours spent over a couple of days to “conceal” this photo as you see here. ;-)
I played around with 3D Color LUTs* in X5 until I achieved the color pallet I was wanting and developed the hard-line edges in the image to preserve hints of the original photo. I didn’t begin with any defined concept in mind and there were many do-overs until layer-by-layer I happened upon the results presented here.
Be safe and stay well.
*A 3D Color LUT (Lookup Table) is a 3D lattice of output RGB color values that can be indexed by sets of input RGB color values. Each axis of the lattice represents one of the three input color components and the input color thus defines a point inside the lattice. 3D Color LUTs are then used to map one color space to another. They are nothing more than a table of numbers that apply a color transform to an image.
Of note: This first full week of May will be a critical week, here in the U.S. By the end of last week, May 1st, 30+ states had relaxed or opened up for business from previous coronavirus closures or stay-at-home restrictions. Most states still encourage or require social distancing and the wearing of face-masks when others are present. By the end of this coming week, we should begin to see if the number of infections and deaths will increase accordingly.
A work of art, in my opinion! That’s a lot of work but seems it was well worth it.
Yes, we will see what develops. I see some of the younger people, college students in my neighborhood, are ignoring many of the rules.
Art or not, thanks, Monte! At the very least it is fun and is giving me some additional insights into how I see and process things and what my “likes” actually are.
I wish everyone well during this reopening period. I know many are under extreme financial pressure to start working again and the young don’t feel as threatened as we do. :-)
Really interesting Earl. I see some “M.C. Escher birds” a little in this.
Mark, I was unfamiliar with the graphic artist “M.C. Escher” and I had to Google him and his work. The repeating kinda bird-shaped line groupings in the image above are a little suggestive of some of his lovely patterns. Thanks for sharing that observation…good spot! I love it when someone gives me a chance to have a fresh perspective on one of photos or images. 👍
He’s been a favorite of mine since I was a kid. Always wished I could draw like him – more importantly actually conceive of the concepts he creates. His work is definitely worth spending some time with. I have a couple of photos in “development” inspired by him, but just not quite right yet.
I like this work Earl. It’s always nice when the final result pays off, especially after a lot of effort has gone into it. All the best with the re-opening period. The US seems like they are going back in more aggressively then we are. It’s likely that we are going to have to live with this virus for years to come so it’s hard to know what the right approach is going to be. Anyway, stay safe Earl.
Thanks, Cedric. I’m happy you like it. Many times the results don’t work out but once in a while, you get one you don’t think is terrible. 😁
I don’t have a good feeling on this restart/reopening. We’re doing too much, too soon, and some will pay the ultimate price. I hope I’m wrong!