I need some help getting going with this year's family Christmas photo. This year we've decided that the family will exist inside a tiny snow globe, with the cat peering in from outside the glass (my wife insists that the cat be included in our photo). There are a couple of decent tutorials out there (below), but I want to add some really believeable glass effects (much like that famous "glass pill" tuturial that came out a few years ago). Any other good tutorials out there for making snow globes?

Ken

http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/photoshop/l/blsnowglobe3.htm

http://www.dwphotoshop.com/photoshop/SnowGlobeTut.php

I know this isn't exatly for a snow globe but I think it could be easily adapted to fit your needs. :) It has a really clean effect and the tutorial does tell you how to make things look behind glass.

Globe Tutorial (www.photoshopcafe.com/tutorials/orbs/orbs.htm)

Thanks for the link, that worked nicely. My progress so far.

Ken

Cool, that is coming along nicely. I've always wanted a cat with a pushed in face but a stray always seems to come along before I can buy one. :)

Here's the final draft. Critiques are appreciated. Thanks again for the link, irshgrlkc.

Ken

ken, that's marvelous!

the only thing that strikes me a bit is, the base of the globe isnt that important and is taking up quite a bit of the image, lessening the importance of the family. i think i'd crop a bit of that off. but that really is very nicely done! i'm impressed.

Impressive! I agree with K about base being over emphasized.
BUT where is the cat? I really had to look and look for the cat!!! Any way to emphasize cat more???

I'm so glad that the cat does not jump right out of the picture at you. I was worried the cat had too strong of a presence. We want our cat to be in our Christmas photo, but in a subtle and unusual way, rather than sitting in the pose with us.

I'm not sure if I can crop the base out of this shot. We've decided on 4x6 photos, because anything smaller will make our faces too small (since we are jammed inside a snow globe). Anything larger than 4x6 might be "too big" for just a simple Christmas card insert. Plus, 5x7's are much more expensive and we are printing 40 of these. If I "zoom in" while maintaining a 4x6 shape, I'll cut off the sides of the globe, and of course, the cat. I need to leave a little breathing room for him. I'd appreciate some ideas on just exactly how I should crop this, considering my issues above.

The base is from an actual photograph of my son's 2-inch-tall snow globe, and the background comes from the exact same shot, without the globe. Everything else is pretty much from scratch.

I had to reduce the levels on the cat, since his original exposure was much brighter than everything else. Let me know what you think of his levels please.

Anything missing from the glass?

Thanks again! Here's my new "final copy" for your review. I've brushed the snow off our faces and added some reflection detail to the glass.

Ken

ken,

i looked at this again today and i have to agree, if you're going for 4x6 then you've pretty much got it good as is. cropping just wont look right. you have to use distortions on the family after that, and whereas that somewhat works because they are inside the glass, it still just doesnt look right.

so, about all i'd suggest at this point is, if you can, enlarge the people before inserting. that would help a bit.

and the other thing i noticed when looking at this closer is, your face could stand a bit of sharpening. doesnt need much, but a bit might look better, or even adding a bit of contrast there might work.

and even if you dont do a thing to it, i still think it's a delightful and well done image :)

Excellent work, Ken. I'm impressed!

Thanks everyone. The family shot is from last year, and I am using it as a temporary placeholder until we take a new family shot tomorrow. I'm not sure what pose we should go for. We'll see.

Ken

ah, ok. well, be sure to smile and show us the finished product.

[QUOTE=Ken Rogers]
I'm not sure if I can crop the base out of this shot. We've decided on 4x6 photos, because anything smaller will make our faces too small (since we are jammed inside a snow globe).

Try landscape instead instead...when you shoot the family think of composing them in this format then make allowances for the globe and cat (I love the cat)...then maybe put the greetings down the unused side...my attempt was quickly done but I think it looks better than the portrait view...you could then make the family a bit bigger and the globe smaller and make the cat more "there". It's a great idea but you have to have confidence that it will work (it will) and so you can't just "sort of " show it. The globe is well done...good luck.

I really like this version. Can definitly tell it's a snow globe even tho most of the base has been eliminated. And the cat is super.
Waiting to see the final version for 2006.
What a nice family you have.

I like that crop job, but the boss wants the entire globe in the picture, with base. This is essentially finished, although I may brighten the cat, adjust the snow, and change the opacity, fill, and font of the "Merry Christmas" (any suggestions for a good Christmas font?)

Thanks everyone. Last chance to critique before I send it in for printing tomorrow morning.

Ken

if dats what da boss likes, den dats what da boss gets and i aint sayin nothn ;) nice job :)

I like that crop job, but the boss wants the entire globe in the picture, with base. This is essentially finished, although I may brighten the cat, adjust the snow, and change the opacity, fill, and font of the "Merry Christmas" (any suggestions for a good Christmas font?)

Thanks everyone. Last chance to critique before I send it in for printing tomorrow morning.

Ken
Well the customer is always right... :nod: Looks good...

I like it a lot! What a great idea for a Christmas photo. You did a great job adapting that tutorial to your needs. :)

Looking for fonts? Maybe this one?

Thanks Littlecoo. That's a nice Christmas font. See it below in my finished product.

Ken