Photoshop Presentation

Last Thursday I did a presentation for the Twin Cities Photoshop Users Group. Photoshop, for those that might not know, is a software for manipulating photos or images. My topic was a new feature of Photoshop that allows the creation of high dynamic range images (HDR). For digital artists like me, HDR can be used to create very realistic lighing in 3D scenes. That allows us to combine computer generated (CG) images with photos or video.

The first image here is the orginal 'plate' photo of a room. The second is a shot of the CG objects in Maya (my animation software). The final image is of the CG and photo together. It's not perfect but it was only a demo. It's kinda fun to try to find the tell-tail hints that it's not real. Can you do it? (I'll post some hints in the comments.)







My complete PowerPoint slides can be downloaded. It's mostly graphics and not very self explanitory, but here you go. HDR_Demo.ppt

Landscape Photos

On Saturday I was out taking some photos for a presentation I'm giving to the Photoshop Users Group on high dynamic range images (worthy of it's own post). I really liked this photo. It really showed off the image quality of my digital camera (a Canon 20D for you techies). The second image is an enlargement of the first. Although you probably won't be able to make it out, depending on how good your monitor settings are, I was able to capture detail in the shadowy areas of the grass tuft despite having to expose for the snow. The crytal formations stand out really nicely as well. I think I'm going to order an enlargement.

Details: 8Meg RAW, 1/160s at f/9, ISO 100, 28mm lens, Photoshop, Noise Ninja.

Sketch 03; More Jamaica

sktch_03_jamaica

Here are a couple more from Montego Bay. The first is of the two Life Guards on duty. I thought the arm slung over the back of the chair pretty much summed up these guys work attitude. They have a good job.

sktch_02_jamaica

Sketch 02; Jamaica

sktch_04_jamaica

In March 05 Linda took me on a 4 day trip to Jamaica. We didn't not stay at a resort but at a typical hotel. So we ended up being annoyed by every street hustler in Montego Bay. Friendly as all hell but relentless in trying to get you to buy some over-priced item. Although we didn't buy anthing, we ended up being suckered into follow a couple people. Luckly the beach was just across the street and once there, was free of wonder vendors. This sketch was done on that beach looking towards Montego Bay itself.

My advice about Jamaica is simple - stay on the resort grounds and enjoy the beautiful warm teal blue water, and ultra cheap Red Strips.

Sketch 01

sktch_01

Last year I decided early on that I needed to draw more. My art world has become very digital and I felt the need to get back to the simple enjoyment of drawing. So I bought a small sketchbook and markers and carried them everywhere. I chose markers because it would force me to commit to the drawing and not allow me to fuss with it too much - a problem I have with all my art work.
This guy was 'lucky' enough to be there on the first day. Now, a year later, I have almost 100 drawing. It ended up being a great year to do the sketching because I went to a lot of fun places and ALWAYS made time to draw. I'll be posting some of ones that I either really liked or captured something interestings.

Dial H for Hero

Dial-H-Hero-page

25 years ago, almost to the month, I reached my high point in comic book fame - a character I created was published in a DC comic. It's been all down hill from there.

In 1981 I submitted a character design to the DC comic called 'Dial H for Hero'. The premise was that 2 kids used a magic ring to transform into whatever super hero that would help them at the time. The super heros were ones sent in by fans. The 2 would go through a dozen or so super heros per issue so no character was ever there for longer then a page or so. I submitted 2 and, of course, they picked the sillier of the 2. The penciller of the book was actually someone of relative fame. Can anyone guess?

BTW, DC Comics, I'm still waiting for my 'Dail H for Hero' t-shirt I was suppose to get.

Yes Indeed, Inspirational

I've had this image of Jerry (of Tom and Jerry fame) on my desktop for a few days. As such, I've really had a chance to study the form of Jerry. His character comes through in every pose and the line work is amazing. They just flow with the character. See if you agree.