Photo Contest - Crop This Picture

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a vintage photograph labeled "summer 1948," with participants exploring various cropping techniques and photo editing ideas to enhance its composition for a potential drawing. The conversation includes suggestions for cropping, color adjustments, and creative interpretations of the image.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Creative interpretation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to crop the image for better composition but finds it challenging to achieve a satisfying result.
  • Another participant shares a cropped version of the image, likening it to a Warhol style, which prompts further discussion on artistic choices.
  • Some participants suggest that cropping should be limited to avoid extensive photo manipulation, while others express interest in more creative edits.
  • Several participants share their own cropped versions and adjustments, discussing the effects of different cropping styles and color treatments.
  • There are humorous exchanges regarding potential titles for the drawing, with some participants joking about the narrative behind the photograph.
  • One participant notes the visual impact of the girl's clothing and suggests that altering its color or pattern could enhance the image's interest.
  • Another participant reflects on the emotional resonance of the photograph, commenting on the girl's appearance and the nostalgic context of the image.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on cropping techniques and artistic interpretations, with no clear consensus on the best approach or final outcome. The discussion remains open-ended, with various competing views on how to enhance the image.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention specific software used for editing, such as Photoshop and Picasso, indicating varying levels of technical skill and approaches to photo editing. There are also references to the emotional and narrative aspects of the photograph that influence participants' creative decisions.

  • #31
Man,,sharing something which you know can ease out the work for others is not bragging...

I also used photoshop until,Some guy on other forum told me abt. it..and lately i haven't used photoshop again..
 
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  • #32
GeoMike said:
http://www.mcschell.com/sum1948_color.jpg

-GeoMike-
How did you do that?
 
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  • #33
Mk said:
How did you do that?

By stacking layers of paint in photoshop using various blend/transfer modes (mostly soft light, multiply, and color) at varying opacities.

This gif shows each layer as it gets stacked:
http://www.mcschell.com/color_1948.gif

-GeoMike-
 
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  • #34
Being an old geezer I haven't cropped anything since I sold my old photo enlarging equipment. Since this is from 1948 I think it would be good to go just high enough to get the old phone line in the pic. Ya got to keep the "Patsy" on the bikes fender in the picture though.

What the girl is wearing is a bathing suit from the 40' era, and that shirt on the bike is most probably a terry cloth robe.
 
  • #35
Math Is Hard said:
http://www.geocities.com/thesquarerootoftwo/percydream_sm.jpg
Trippy colors aside, this strikes me as the best composition: putting more landscape over to the right where Patsy is gazing. This allows keeping the front of the bike and the shirt. We could also keep more summer sky (minus telephone wires).

The picture that's forming in my mind now is one where there's quite a bit more realistic yard to the right. Over there, there might be seen part of a car appropriate to the period, a sleeping dog or cat, a push lawnmover, or whatever, in keeping with the "summer" atmosphere.

I also like having Patsy colorized as per GeoMike, and I like Heman's golden tint for the rest against a blue sky. If someone's clever enough to darken the shirt or even put some kind of pattern on it, it would be more to my taste. It is too white and I find the drapery details to be too washed out in the sunlight.

I'm not asking anyone to make a version putting all that together, I'm just summarizing what ideas everyone's efforts have given me.

It's neat to see people experimenting with this, and the unusual decisions are turning out to be more inspirational than the straightforward crops.
 
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  • #36
This thread has been fantastic! I have really enjoyed everyones views of this photo.
 
  • #37
Math Is Hard said:
http://www.geocities.com/thesquarerootoftwo/percydream_sm.jpg

or maybe "Percy's Trip" :biggrin:

MIH, that is absolutely wonderful!


...reminds me of Moses. :biggrin:
 
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  • #38
zoobyshoe said:
The picture that's forming in my mind now is one where there's quite a bit more realistic yard to the right. Over there, there might be seen part of a car appropriate to the period, a sleeping dog or cat, a push lawnmover, or whatever, in keeping with the "summer" atmosphere.
I think that would make an excellent picture. You find so many cool "slice of life" photos, Zooby. I think the photos and drawings you do from them would make a very interesting book if you ever decided to make a project out of it. You could even write stories about the pictures - that would be neat!:cool:
hypatia said:
This thread has been fantastic! I have really enjoyed everyones views of this photo.
I agree. Fun stuff! And I really love that animation GeoMike made showing the layering of the colors.
Ivan said:
MIH, that is absolutely wonderful!

...reminds me of Moses.
ha ha! thanks.:biggrin:
 
  • #39
So, when does the contest close and go to vote?
 
  • #40
DaveC426913 said:
So, when does the contest close and go to vote?
Me said:
I'm not really proposing a contest here, but thought it might be interesting to post it for anyone who felt like it to take it to Paint or whatever photo editing program you may have, and try cropping it to a more satisfying composition.
However, if you insist on voting on something, then here you go:

What's The Girl's Name?

A. Patsy
B. Percy
C. Other (Please specify.)
 
  • #41
zoobyshoe said:
However, if you insist on voting on something, then
Oh. I thought this was an entry in the ongoing photo contest.


:mad: This was the first one I actually felt I could participate in. Doh.
 
  • #42
DaveC426913 said:
Oh. I thought this was an entry in the ongoing photo contest.


:mad: This was the first one I actually felt I could participate in. Doh.
Well, as far as the purpose of the thread goes, you are a winner. I got a lot of insight into how Patsy and the bike could be separated from the background from seeing the higher contrast on her and the bike in your tinted version.