My photo, by Nacho Cordova

This photo is called "What Dreams May Come"...

...and this is how I created it.

• Step 1.  I started with two images, taken with similar vision in mind. This image of my colleague reflecting on something she's encountering through her mobile screen, and the image of the man walking down the terminal (O'Hare, Chicago). I wanted to make sure that both images had similar qualities, in particular the tunnel like perspective created by the long hallways, since my vision revolved around making the images complement each other.

• Step 2.  First I proceeded to convert the "Terminal Man" image to Black and White. For the conversion I used Monophix, making sure I toned down the intensity level of the bright areas of the image. After the conversion, I ran the image of the "Terminal Man" through TiltShiftGen to soften the edges with a blur, and to add a soft dark vignette.

• Step 3.  When the "Terminal Man" image was done, I first loaded that image into BlendCamP Lite, and then added the image of my colleague in the hallway. I reduced the "Terminal Man" image brightness, then did the same for the image of my colleague keeping in mind that as the visually dominant image, I did not want to reduce its brightness as much. After careful previewing and adjusting of brightness levels, I landed upon the image below (#3), a fine blend, if a bit washed out and bland.

• Step 4.  I wanted to add more visual presence to the "Terminal Man" image, so I loaded the blended image into Photoshop Mobile, increased the contrast a tad, and enhanced the saturation so that neither image would wash out. A tiny bit of sharpening allowed me to impart a less "soft and hazy" look to the image while still keeping the feeling of convergence and occupying similar "spaces."  I  actually like both of the last images (the more washed out version and the final one), but one part I really like is the superimposition of the windows over the body of my colleague -- and that emerges best in the last image.

Simple enough, but it took a few tries to make sure the blend of the images was right, and that the processing of both images was what I wanted. Careful selection of images was critical. There it is!

So, that's how Nacho created his photo, so if you would like to share your photo with the rest of us, then send me an email and I'll reply with details on how to submit.

Comments

[Bisk]

Thank you so much for sharing this, and taking the time to explain how you managed the post processing, very inspirational, I have downloaded all of the apps suggested already and am keen to have a go.

[Nacho]

Thanks Glyn, and thanks Bisk (Nick), I appreciate the feature, and the comments. Bisk I'm glad you found the description of process helpful. There is a BlendCamP app that costs a bit more, but allows for blending up to four images (if I recall correctly). That does give a few more options, but the task is a bit harder in terms of composition and vision! I have another blended image in this group, toward the end:

http://nachocordova.posterous.com/self-porting-redux

Best, and thanks again,

Nacho

[Peter]

Great idea, to share how a particular picture was done.

Tip:
Instead of BlendCamP you can try DXP or DXPlite

[psikat]

Also try Backgroundz: it's free and full-res!

[xwhiteboy777x]

I saw this on posterous.com earlier. Very nice...
I've messed around with a similar idea but never though about making one photo black & white and for the most part my photos never line up this well. Thanx!

Great job with this series Glyn! I can't wait to see more. Maybe I'll try to send in another pic sometime.

[Tom Budd]

Thank you for sharing this technique. This photo is an inspiration to try something different, and is a perfect example of what the iPhone can do with a little imagination on the part of the user.

[Shutterbug]

RIP Nacho, It was great to re-read your words. You will always be with us inspiring.