Ol' Time Studio Backdrops

[solitear]

Hi Everyone!

I've been trying to do this on my own but I don't like the results.....

I want to create digital backdrops like the old time studio backdrops..... I love the subtle, almost powdery look of the scenes....

I'd even want them to be a little rumpled like the real ones.... I've tried using displacement maps but the results were too unpredictable.....

I'm attaching examples of the kind I'm talking about.... thanks in advance for your help.

Beth

[pellepiano]

You can use the gradient tool, set to difference to make curtainlike effects. This can then be used as a displacement map to get the background to go along with the "wrinkles". Using some of the artistic effects on the background ( Dry brush ) and blurring it slightly will give it a look resembling your attached photos I think.

Curtain tut ... http://www.heathrowe.com/tuts/curtain.asp

[solitear]

Pelle, thank you SO much for your help! I can't believe how easy the tut was and the finishing touch was the dry brush and the blurring.... what a blast I'm going to have, thanks!

BTW..... your gallery is great! ...... you do awesome work!!

Thanks again, Pelle

Beth

[Graphics23]

The author of that tutorial site is Darrell Heath. He has some great content there. Well worth checking out.

And he's a nice guy! Don't hesitate to contact him if you have any questions.

Regards,

Michael

p.s., Pellepiano, I second Beth's comment, your work is outstanding!

[solitear]

Thanks, Michael... I've been messing around with some of the other tutorials there..... it's good to know he's approachable, too!

Beth

[solitear]

Well, I know the second one isn't really old time looking..... I tried the displacement map thing but I didn't know how to guess on the horizontal/vertical displace settings.....

Basically, I just created the folds and set the picture layer over this and lowered the opacity..... does it make a difference in how the picture forms to the shape?

How would you light these..... would you wait until you placed your subject in there and then light???

I would appreciate any feedback....

Thanks,
Beth

[pellepiano]

I think they look fine. You can also play with different blending modes like Overlay for the texture. And if you want a more "even" background you can make the "folding" layer a little lighter.

[solitear]

Thanks, Pelle..... I had a case of 'too close too long to see it anymore'....... I appreciate your help!

Beth

[Graphics23]

Those look great, Beth!

With the Displace Filter, just try the default settings.

For more information on using the Displace Filter try this site.

Regards,

Michael

[CathyH]

Hi Beth, I gave this a try. I was curious as to how hard it would be to duplicate them. They seem to be hand painted, so I did it 2 ways first, I painted in a tree, the second I found a nice photo of a tree and tried to make it look painted.

I like the ones you did, did you use a photo on the first one? What steps did you use.

I think it would better to add the lighting after you put in the subject.

cathy

[solitear]

Hi Cathy..... so sorry I didn't get back to you..... I was just scrolling through and saw your post.....

The first picture (the tree) was a picture I got out of my PrintMaster software.... it already looked painterly..... I made up the second on using some background brushes....

I like yours..... the ripples look nice.... not too deep..... that's hard for me to come up with something wavy but not folded..... after seeing yours, I realize it's probably the trees that I like..... thanks!

I was kinda messin' around with the lighting and I think you're right.....

Beth

[solitear]

Hey Michael..... just saw your post, too....... thank you for the link..... I'm bookmarking it and going to spend some time this evening checking those out!!

Beth