Cloning yourself

[Deleted]

I came across this written tutorial from dps Photography School all about how to create one of those photos where you (or someone else) appears in a photo in different positions. This is a quick tutorial on how to achieve this effect.

[hmca]

I remember someone posting this at EV. Thanks for this update on a fun project!

[Squirrel2014]

Thanks Simone

I love this tutorial, not from the photography point of view but from the Photoshop perspective. As it happens, tomorrow evening, a couple of lovely, elderly chaps and myself are having our monthly get together, in order to do something 'new' in PSE and this will fit the bill perfectly. We each bring our laptops and sit around the dining table, with a 21" monitor at the end of the table, linked to my laptop (they think I'm the 'expert' LOL) so we can all see the same thing. This should be great fun for all of us

So, my camera battery is now charging, I've located my mini tripod and I see no reason why we shouldn't have a go at this. The quality of the photos won't be anything wonderful as none of us are photographers. My camera is a little Nikon Coolpix bought years +++ ago and I just 'Point and Shoot' Anyway, it should be a good laugh and, hopefully, we'll all learn something

Yes, I've previously seen a similar tutorial with a chap in different places around a vehicle or some sort. I think it may have been in the PET magazine. I'll have to look ...

Edit:  I've just found the tutorial that I was thinking of so, in case anyone is interested, and they have access to the PET magazine, a tutorial of a similar scenario was published in PET magazine, titled "Truckloads of People" by Larry Becker, in the July/August 2014 edition.  Have quickly scanned through this tutorial, the chaps are photographed in a different place and then 'placed' in /or around the truck, wearing different sets of clothes into the bargain.  Clearly, the tutorials have certain differences and techniques.

I have to say, I prefer the tutorial Simone has linked.   
J

[hmca]

Squirrel2014......great to hear how well this worked out for you.

[Squirrel2014]

Ha ha ha, Helen - I haven't tried it yet LOL

By the way, how do you tag someone, please? I don't think I've seen it on here before and certainly not me being tagged LOL

[hmca]

Squirrel2014 ......to tag someone type@ then hover over their forum name and type the name you see there.     I only say that because some members have changed their user name....ex. @andy....doesn't work but if you hover over his name you see admin....you will need to type @ followed by admin to get.... Andy  .

[Squirrel2014]

Thanks hmca
I've just done as you suggested so I will see ...
Julie

[Edit]  Yay!  It's worked.  Many thanks, Helen.  I doubt I'll often use it so hope I'll remember

Happy Christmas !!!

[Deleted]

Glad you like the tutorial Julie; like you I thought it was much better than others I have come across.

[Squirrel2014]

Hi

I now can update you on how our evening went regarding using this tutorial with my two 'PSE' friends.

The evening was a huge success. Both of the gents (yes, very much gentlemen) had great fun with this. First of all, earlier in the day, I'd checked with one of the guys that he would be happy to use his camera, possessed a tripod and, in fact, had a remote too, which he'd just put new battery in

So, as per the tutorial, we took a photo of his sofa and then, one by one, we each took our place on, near, behind etc the sofa, in separate images, of course and then each got our own images onto our laptops.

I had a pretty good idea of the principle of this tutorial, which was fortunate, because the instructions are obviously written for Photoshop and not Elements so there were some significant differences. Also, especially as the images were very dark, ie the program had a dark workspace rather than the light grey of Elements v11 upwards, it became obvious that I would have to think hard and come up with the equivalent in PSE.

Having realised this, I then decided to only read the instructions to get the general idea and then 'work it out', which I was able to, fortunately. For example, the instructions said to open 'black' layer mask whereas in Elements masks are white by default (well, mine are all white) so we then 'painted' all the masks black.

Although we have used layer masks previously, my 'gents' had to be reminded but then they we able to remember, to some degree or other. It's only by repeatedly using a technique that one learns it, of course, and some need more repetition than others

So, we worked though the layers, revealing ourselves, in the images, in the different positions. Various issues then became obvious, ie that the sofa cushions took on different shapes, creases and also shade/colour and so one had to decide how to best deal with these.

Again, it was very clear that, when one made a mistake and sought the solution, that is when you really start to learn. I'm a great believer in maximum learning when I make mistakes and have to work out why that happened and what to do to correct it.

We all had a fantastic evening a both my friends commented on how they'd really enjoyed it and learnt a lot.

Thanks, Simone, for finding and posting this tutorial, although I'm going to 're-write' it, using PSE, so it is easier to follow. Of course, by doing this, it is myself who will gain the most benefit

[Bailey]

Dec 15, 2017 21:48:14 GMT Squirrel2014 said:

 For example, the instructions said to open 'black' layer mask whereas in Elements masks are white by default (well, mine are all white) so we then 'painted' all the masks black.

Just a quick tip.

In at least PSE 14 if you hold down the Alt key (Windows) and then click the layer mask icon, it will open a black layer mask on the active layer.

HTH

[Squirrel2014]

Dec 16, 2017 7:12:17 GMT Bailey said:

Just a quick tip.

In at least PSE 14 if you hold down the Alt key (Windows) and then click the layer mask icon, it will open a black layer mask on the active layer.

HTH

Thanks for this tip, Bailey
Yes, I have v14 but one my friends has v11 and the other has v12 so I tend to use v12 when we get together
Having said that, it's good to know so I will make a note of this.  Fortunately, our work-around worked well
J

[Sepiana]

Dec 15, 2017 21:48:14 GMT Squirrel2014 said:

. . . the instructions said to open 'black' layer mask whereas in Elements masks are white by default (well, mine are all white) so we then 'painted' all the masks black.

Dec 16, 2017 7:12:17 GMT Bailey said:

In at least PSE 14 if you hold down the Alt key (Windows) and then click the layer mask icon, it will open a black layer mask on the active layer.

Dec 16, 2017 11:55:17 GMT Squirrel2014 said:

Yes, I have v14 but one my friends has v11 and the other has v12 so I tend to use v12 when we get together

Adding a black layer mask is not limited to one version of Elements. This feature is available in ALL the versions with a built-in layer mask (versions 9 to 2018). Elements gives you several choices concerning adding a layer mask. Two of these choices are adding a white mask or a black one.

White Mask:

This is what you get when you click on the "Add layer mask" icon or when you to go Layer>Layer Mask>Reveal All. This "blank" mask starts out by not covering anything in the layer, i.e., it starts out by showing all the layer's contents.

Black Mask:

This is a "full" layer mask. It covers everything in the active layer, i.e., it completely hides the layer. To create this mask, you Alt-Click (Option-Click on a Mac) on the "Add layer mask" icon or you go to Layer>Layer Mask>Hide All. This kind of mask is to be used when you want to hide most of the layer because it enables you to just reveal (unmask) the areas you want visible. I believe that's why a black mask is used in the tutorial. It is faster (compared to using a white mask and having to paint over everything else in the layer).

Now add a black layer mask (press and hold ALT and then click on Add vector mask icon as shown in the photo below) in order to start the editing process.

Does this make sense? I hope so!

[Sepiana]

Dec 15, 2017 21:48:14 GMT Squirrel2014 said:

 . . . because the instructions are obviously written for Photoshop and not Elements so there were some significant differences. Also, especially as the images were very dark, ie the program had a dark workspace rather than the light grey of Elements v11 upwards, it became obvious that I would have to think hard and come up with the equivalent in PSE.

You can easily change the color of the workspace in Elements.

- Open a photo.

- Right-click anywhere in the workspace area. You will get a pop-up with color choices. Ex.:  Black, Gray, Custom, etc.

NOTE:  The color options available may vary from version to version.

[Squirrel2014]

Hi Sepiana

Thanks. Yes, I did understand your explanation, and that of Bailey

Thanks but I've no aspiration to change the colour of workspace. Because the workspace has been light grey since v 11, I always jump to the conclusion that, when i see a black workspace in black, that it's an alternative version or Photoshop (proper). Apologies but that was where my inference originated

For the sake of my 'gents'. I have said I will re-write the tutorial for them so it's more easily understood when they refer to it in future

Thanks all again

[Deleted]

Julie, I am glad this worked out for you and your gents. Sounds like you all had a lot of fun making this work. Would love to see your results!