The Retouching Detective threads are fun, I thought I'd try a similar one for masking.

Decontruct/replicate/explain

Dancer photo by Christian H. Ellmaier
http://www.sxc.hu/photo/584020

Stage photo by Barry Weatherall
http://www.sxc.hu/photo/566214

Couldn't resist

Copied Dancer to layer above Curtains. Added a layer mask to mask Dancer background.
Scaled Transform to make Dancer bigger
Duped Dancer and set blending mode to overlay
Levels to darken slightly

Added Levels adjustment above Curtain layer to create Lighting
Selective colour to adjust Yellows

It’s a bit rough but here are the results. I think I prefer Swampy’s Picture. :wink:

Ken.

Now will Doug please share his spotlight trick, especially the bottom half, as I am sure there is a much better way than my shakey freehand.

Just a circle edited in Vanishing Point, used as a layer mask for two stage layers, one set to screen, one set to multiply (with the layer mask reversed).

Vanishing point with a circle? How the hecK? Sounds like a tutorial Doug

Just copy any old circle, make a blank layer, open VP and paste the circle. Arrange on one axis and click on OK. Make a new blank layer, open VP and paste same circle. Arrange on the other axis and click on OK.

Now you have two circle layers. Erase the bits of circle that go beyond where the other overlaps, then merge the two.

But feel free to write it up as a tut if you want to enter this month's contest.

Oh Dear Doug, that would be outright plaguerism and even worse if I cannot execute it :)

You can't plagiarize ideas, only execution of ideas. And plus you have my permission (even my encouragement). Start with the stage image (don't forget to give photographer credit) and show the steps to putting in the spotlight using VP. I'll help if you need it.

This is how we stretch. Learn by teaching.

Well you have sort of given me the execution, however I have executed every attempt so far (lol), I'll keep chasing the ball :).....make that assassinated!