Photo-Based Art - - Adding someone to a group family photo

AvrahamReiss · #1 05-19-2005, 04:33 PM

My family recently had a rare gathering of 4 generations. One member of the family couldn't make it. The group photo I took was so rare and so successful, that I added the absentee later via Photoshop, for future generations...

The technique:
Obtain a photo of the person to be added. Remove all background. Cut and add as a new layer to the group photo. This new layer should be on top of the existing (background) layer of the group photo.

Now, working on the added layer only, and at a large degree of magnification,
assume that the target is for the added person to be standing at the back of the group. Begin to erase all parts of his body that were he actually present, would have been hidden fom view by other people in the photo. Use a small brush size. And since there is a fair amount of trial and error in how much to erase, release the mouse button every few 'rubs', so that an Undo won't remove too much work.

Can you tell who was added to the photo?

Avraham Reiss

I'd like to ask members to suggest which member of

Gary Richardson · #2 05-19-2005, 04:47 PM

Hi Avraham,

I would say it is the man 2nd from the left on the back row. The one between the guy with the hat, and the girl. I make this based on the lighting on his face, the shadows and contrast are different to that of the other figures in the group.

Assuming that he is on a different layer, adjust levels, hue/sat, and possibly layer opacity to get a better match.

You say you had to erase carefully to get a realistic "fit" with the base image. Just a little tip here. Rather than erase, next time, try masking to get the same effect. The advantages of a mask is that they can be adjusted without causing permanent alteration of the base image, and therefore you can go back to possible "faults" you may see at a later time. If you have erased, this is not the case.

Legacy~Art · #3 05-19-2005, 04:49 PM

Yes i 2nd what Gary says, the man 2nd on the left at the back, the shadowing on his face is alittle different from the rest, but nice work if your family are pleased.

deadants · #4 05-19-2005, 04:50 PM

Can We have more than one guess? My first guess is the sunglass guy with his hand up, saying pick me

DannyRaphael · #5 05-19-2005, 04:52 PM

Welcome, Avraham:

Nice work on adding the absent family member.

I'd say it's the man in the back row, far right (white shirt).

~Danny~

Legacy~Art · #6 05-19-2005, 04:54 PM

Hi Danny, well come to think of it it could be any of them LOL!

Racc Iria · #7 05-19-2005, 05:04 PM

I agree with Gary and for the same reasons.

I think it's the 2nd guy from the left in the back row. The lighting on his face is a lot harsher than everyone elses. And although it's really hard to tell in such a small image, it looks like he doesn't have any legs. But there's not enough resolution or detail to know for sure. It even looks like the right arm of the sitting woman in blue is resting in mid air.

AvrahamReiss · #8 05-20-2005, 01:54 AM

Thanks to all of you, especially those who identified the wrong person .. :-)
It was in fact the person at the back, second from the left.

I have noted the advice re masking, which I have not yet tried - and will look ito this now, so gaain - thanks to all of you!

Incidentally, I have a shot of myself sitting on a rhinocerous, based on the same idea ...

Avraham Reiss