The ‘official’ introduction of Robert along with a tune to fit his character….in part.
This ended up being a fun image. As mentioned in an earlier post about Robert’s skin, I had to fix the embedded highlights first. It was initially a challenge until I figured out that both layers generated using frequency separation had to be cleaned up. It wasn’t simply a matter of fixing the color on the low freq layer but there was also texture in the high frequency layer that was affecting the visible color in it’s own way.
Additionally, I hadn’t noticed when the shot was taken that the recent SL phenomena of a very visible horizontal line crossed his face with everything below his upper lip being many shades darker. This two demanded cleanup on both layers.
The glass was the ‘new’ lesson for this image. I have done reflections prior to this (El Sombrero) but this time I wanted realistic rain outside. In addition to painting in rain, I duplicated the method used in the following video – including the wet glass texture.
I played with several techniques trying to get the light and shadow I wanted but finally settled on using the lighting effects filter to place a spotlight on the lamp and then adjust the spotlight size, shape and color along tweaking the ambient light a bit. In the end it is very close to what I had done with duplicating and multiplying the final layer and then shaping the light with a mask. The spotlight looked much more natural to me so why reinvent light?
Finally, to summarize the feeling that the act of creating Robert’s character for the story I’m writing and what I saw in the final image, I listened to many pieces trying to find one that suited. I settled on Overkill by Colin Hay (Men at Work)
I can’t get to sleep
I think about the implications
Of diving in too deep
And possibly the complications
Especially at night
I worry over situations
I know we’ll be alright
Perhaps it’s just imagination
Day after day it reappears
Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear
Ghosts appear and fade away
Alone between the sheets
Only brings exasperation
It’s time to walk the streets
Smell the desperation
At least there’s pretty lights
And though there’s little variation
It nullifies the night from overkill
Day after day it reappears
Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear
Ghosts appear and fade away
Come back another day
I can’t get to sleep
I think about the implications
Of diving in too deep
And possibly the complications
I worry over situations that
I know will be alright
It’s just overkill
Day after day it reappears
Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear
Ghosts appear and fade away
Ghosts appear and fade away
Ghosts appear and fade away