Help me make my DIY project look good - combining 2 images

[andydbnz]

Hi Guys,
What I need is beyond my level of capability despite 7-8 years of teaching myself Photoshop.

I made my own Fire Table the other day and am keen to show it off to my friends and family. I'd like to paste my table from the first image into the scenic image so it looks like it was there from the start. I'd then like to have fire coming out of the table. I'm struggling with the difference in white balance between the two images and also the reflections. I like the lighting effects of the second image (spotlight on the table) but can't seem to recreate it when I do it myself.

Thanks
Andrew

 

[IamSam]

Please go ahead and post your attempt.

 

[andydbnz]

Please go ahead and post your attempt.

See attached my attempt. It's obviously been pasted in for a start, and secondly, I have no idea how to recreate fire. I'm not sure whether the distort is quite right either.

 

[IamSam]

Sorry Andrew, had to run out for awhile.

This is not a bad job at all! Good work. But as you said, the perspective is a bit off.

Here are some reference lines that follow the lines of the original image that will offer clues as to how the table's perspective should be adjusted.

 

[andydbnz]

Thanks to IamSam, see my second attempt using his supplied grid lines. These certainly made a difference Still looks pasted in, however, and don't even know where to start with the fire.

 

[andydbnz]

And now with a warming filter added. Still not quite right...

 

[IamSam]

That looks good. Now darken it a little with a curves or brightness and contrast adjustment layer. Also it needs a shadow.

 

[andydbnz]

Nice one! Thanks for the tips.

Curves layer - Yes. See the first image below.

Shadow - No. I just can't do it so it doesn't look like its floating in the air. Suggestions?

 

[IamSam]

Create a layer below your fire table name shadow.

Make a selection of your fire table by Cmd/Cntrl + clicking the layers thumbnail.
Fill that selection with black.
Convert the shadow layer to a smart object.
Add a Gaussian blur smart filter. (this can easily be edited)

Use Distort in the Free Transform to position the shadow layer.

Add a layer mask and use the brush tool to clean it up.

(worked this up real fast so it's not perfect)

 

[andydbnz]

Wow. Am I learning a lot!

See attempt at adding a shadow using IamSam's instructions. Thoughts?

The shadow on the right side looks good. Not sure about the connection to the floor at the front? Still looks like it's floating.

 

[IamSam]

That looks pretty good! The perspective of the base is still a bit off (so is my example), but I think getting it right is close to impossible. You might pull the warm filter back a little.

I have to run for now, but we can work on adding the fire tomorrow. Hopefully some of the other members will jump in as well!

 

[andydbnz]

Much appreciated.

 

[IamSam]

One last thing for you to work on before I go........

Note the reflection on the top right hand corner. It's reflecting a window and it should be a sky.



On a new layer, I used the Polygonal Lasso tool to make a selection of the table top.
I then used the Brush Tool to add the blue.

 

[andydbnz]

Thanks IamSam. Your blue looks very realistic. I've made a few other adjustments to the background and then posted a before and after applying a blue layer. I don't think my blue adjustment looks very good. Can you give me some further tips. Do you recommend I apply it to the entire top surface?

Before



After

 

[andydbnz]

Thought I'd post with my first ever attempt at a flame. I'm not unhappy with my final result. If I was critical I'd give myself 6/10.

1. The base still looks disconnected from the floor
2. The shadows aren't quite right
3. The tone could probably be better
4. The blue sky reflection on the table surface is not natural looking - still see red from the original image
5. The flame is awful

I would appreciate guidance with how to correct any of these issues plus anything else you see that might be wrong.

Thanks

 

[Eggy]

I can help you out with the fact of the table being 'disconnected' from the floor.

Make a thin black line just at the edge of table and floor.



Set the blend mode to soft light @ 50 %



This phenomenon is part of ambiant occlusion.
Even on the illuminated side there's darkness in that 90 degrees corner.

It is used in 3D software like here

 

[andydbnz]

Thanks Eggy. Amazing how a simple line can make a huge difference

I've updated my image accordingly - but removed the other edits I made that I wasn't happy with

 

[Eggy]

The blue on the table surface was way to strong.
I did a quick one

 

[andydbnz]

Looks great Eggy. Would you mind sharing how exactly you did this so I can learn and replicate it myself.

Also, your flame looks really realistic. How did you do that as well?

 

[Eggy]

I took a screenshot with my layers and some explaination in my previous post.
But first make a selection from the table surface and work from there.

Here's the flame picture.
Place it, skew and make it fit, then apply a screen blend mode.