Bad 'hat'

[Canna W]

Hi,

I have been using Photoshop for a while now, but am still very much at the newbie stage.

I would be very grateful for some help with this image. Basically it's a manipulation of a pig, with a displacement map on top of it (the pattern), and the addition of a 'hat' (which is really a bridge, taken from another image.....)

I am very disappointed with how fake the 'hat' looks, both fake in it's appearance (it looks like it has been cut out of paper), and fake in how it sits on top of the pig's head. Probably a lot due to the crudeness of my shadow!

I just couldn't work out how to do it better though! I've no longer got the psd file to play around with, but would still very much like some advice about where I went wrong...

[0lBaldy]

I think the Pig is rather cute!

The red triangular thingys seem to have no purpose and distract from the image. To me, the hat looks more like a "Tiara" because it does not go all the way around like a hat, cap or crown.

[TommyO]

Light and shadows.
You would not have shadows like that unless the hat was sitting about an inch in front of the pigs head. There is no shadowing on the right side of the hat to match the pigs heads'/ears' shadows. The hat would likely be more curved, as the pigs head is narrow, between his ears.

[Canna W]

Many thanks indeed for your suggestions!

Sorry this is such a crude image - I've had to use basic stock.

I've altered the shadows, altered the shape of the hat, tried to suggest a back and a front rather than just a front (a crown rather than a tiara.) I've also given the 'hat' some texture layers, so it looks less bridge-like.

I'm sure it still has many faults.

What this has taught me is that a) I don't really understand how shadows work - a real negative for someone who likes doing manips and b) what I tried to do was really quite a sophisticated manoeuvre - and it needed to be done by someone with a lot more experience than me! Hopefully this 2nd attempt puts the hat a bit more firmly on the pig's head.

[Canna W]

OlBaldy - yes, I agree, the flaps on the hat don't help. I've left them though as they seem part of the challenge of me trying to get this 'hat' right....

[0lBaldy]

A quick (very rough) example on the orig

selective color.. bridge/hat
cut bridge/hat
pasted, repositioned to original spot
pasted again moved this level below the previous
liquify to shape top backside (this was my sloppy quick part) Free transform to lower/side shape
improved shadows a bit

I figured the "Hat" was slotted to fit over the ears to keep it from falling off!
I like your project and think it will come out fine with a little patience and looking at details!

[Verywierd]

My try. I did not move anything except the shadows based on the angle of the light in the pig's eyes. Added texture and dimension to the "flaps". The shadows on the left ear should be removed, but I was too lazy :-) and it does not affect the 3D effect of the "hat".

[Canna W]

OlBaldy...
---------
I love what you did to the hat - you have given it such depth on top!

One query...
I understand that you used liquify to shape the top bar of the back of the hat, but don't understand what you mean by "Free transform to lower/side shape". Not sure what you did there, I use the transform tools a lot, but don't quite understand what you did there.

You've inspired me to use selective colour to select the hat. What a good idea. I will have a go at rectifying my mistake on the jpeg version.

Veryweird..
-----------

What a brilliant exercise in showing the difference that shadows make! Thank you!

You say you should have removed the shadows on the left ear, but I don't see any. Did you mean the criss cross shadows on the right ear?

Since reading what you wrote I have been looking at lots of photographs of faces, and trying to see "shadows based on the angle of the light in the eyes"... Wow, I'm afraid that is beyond me...

[0lBaldy]

Originally Posted by Canna W

OlBaldy...
---------<clip>One query...
I understand that you used liquify to shape the top bar of the back of the hat, but don't understand what you mean by "Free transform to lower/side shape". Not sure what you did there, I use the transform tools a lot, but don't quite understand what you did there.
<clip>.

Hee,hee, just meant to say made it fit!

[Canna W]

Okay OlBaldy, thanks for that

Here is my last effort, combining lots of things that you both have given me.

Veryweird - I just copied your shadows exactly....and your idea of adding depth to the flaps on the hat.

I'm really pleased with the difference - thank you both so much for your trouble.

I'm going to replace my first image with this edit, and the hat will no longer drive me nuts every time I see it!

Thank you both again, very much indeed....

[0lBaldy]

Me thinks you have a very good conceptual eye and are very adept with your creative tools... nice job!!

[Verywierd]

Originally Posted by Canna W

OlBaldy...
---------
You say you should have removed the shadows on the left ear, but I don't see any. Did you mean the criss cross shadows on the right ear?

Since reading what you wrote I have been looking at lots of photographs of faces, and trying to see "shadows based on the angle of the light in the eyes"... Wow, I'm afraid that is beyond me...

There are a series of dark stripes going sideways across the left ear. I assumed that they were shadows, but maybe they were there on the original pig. In that case, ignore my comment :-)

If you can see both eyes and there is a clear highlight, it is not too hard to estimate where the main light source is located in relation to the subject (left, right, up, down). Then, if you imagine a straight line from that light source to the subject, you can extend that line past anything that may block the light (like your bridge hat) and estimate where the shadows should naturally fall.

Nice work, and the pig is really cute.

[Canna W]

OlBaldy
-------
Thank you!

Veryweird
---------
Re ears - I think I muddled up my left with the pigs left! Yes, I see the stripy shadow ear. I could do a flip with the good ear and replace it, but it won't be easy - I am very fond of those shadows!

Re eyes - thank you for that explanation. I will certainly try in future to see if I can learn how to use that as a guide. I need to get some practice.

Thanks again for your help.