Work Diary - Overlay

Shoot Evaluation

In today's class we looked at the technique overlay.  This technique is where two photos are layered on top of each other and then the opacity of them is changed so you can see the two photos through each other.  The overlay technique is a technique that allows you to add as many layers as you like to your original image, so the effects you can achieve are endless.  I think the technique is interesting as in class the way we conducted the shoot was to combine portrait shots with pattern shots, so the effect you got was really different.  I wasn't as keen on this technique and I am not sure it is something I would like to continue to experiment with as I think it can spoil a nice image on it's own - though as mentioned, I do find the effects interesting, just not to my taste.

Here are a couple photos from class:


Here is one photo that I both like and dislike elements of.  For this overlay image I change the opacity of the layers till I got the desire effect, then I used a soft edge eraser to eliminate some of the effect around the edge of my model so only her face was covered with the pattern.  I think that this is interesting however I don't think the pattern I chose perhaps was the best as it blends in with the original photo too much and doesn't look as effect as some of my other photos.

This is my favourite photo from today.  I again used a head on portrait shot like with the first photo I evaluated as well as using the eraser tool in the same way.  However, this time I also used the eraser tool to erase the effect on my models eyes and mouth - I much prefer this photo for that reason.  The eyes give a clearer focal point in the photo, this is something I felt was lost in my first picture.  I also did the same on my models mouth - because the overlay image I chose was predominately green the pink offers a nice contrast.








How I could apply this technique in my own project

I am not overly enthusiastic about using this technique again as compared to others it really isn't one of my favourites.  However, one potential idea I could use this technique for in my personal project is photographing a makeup look and the photographing some of the actual makeup itself that I used to complete the look with and then over laying these images.

Technique Page - Overlay

How to do Overlay...

1. After formatting your camera like normal, you need to take your first photo (this will usual be of a model or large subject).

2. You now need to take another photo that you are going to overlay on top of this image (usually something like a pattern).

3. Once you are happy with the photos that you have taken download them and open them in Photoshop - you are going to need to different images.

4. Change the levels and curves for each photo accordingly before dragging the second image on top of the first (in separate layers).

5. Change the opacity of the top layer until you are happy with the effect.  You can now take the eraser tool set to a soft option and erase certain parts of the overlay (again until you are happy with the effect).

6. Save and print as normal.

Image Bank - Overlay

 

Overlay is an interesting technique which two (or more) images being transposed on top of each other to create an entirely new image.  The possibilities with this effect is endless as you can really create any effect you like as there is no right or wrong with the images you pick.  I typically works well with a person or some kind of large object (as seen in the examples I have found) and then a pattern or contrast background of some sort to layer over the top.  The first photo is good too look as It has also shown a break down of all the original images used to create the final one.  I quite like the effect in some parts as it can look quite ghostly in parts (such as the third and sixth photo) but also can look very contemporary too like in the third and first photo.  The second photo sees a contrast between the human body and nature which is interesting.

 

I personally like the fifth photo that I found the most.  I love the way the bus has been photographed and then transposed on top of a car in a street.  When photographed both the vehicles were heading in the same direction and putting them on top f each other like this has mad the photo really interesting.  I love the lightening in the shot and how they contrast in both the shots, but have blended together well.  The vibrant colours makes the two photos hard to differentiate between as it looks quite chaotic and it's lacking a focal point - however, I think this makes the photo more visually interesting to look at.

 

Another of the photos that I liked was the first photo.  I love the way the photographer has taken completely contrasting images to create something really contemporary and unique.  I love the clash between the man, the buildings and nature, yet the way they combine so well together in the overall image.  I like the effect that has been used on the colours and the lightening in the shot has allowed for a focal point around the eyes of the man - this has provided some order within the busy shot.