How do I make this Photo more real looking

[melissa]

I smooshed these photos together to create this photo. There are three layers --1. Mud/splash--2. son--2. sky. How can I make this 'Splash' look a little more real to the eye? Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[theKeeper]

Hi Melissa...

It's not too bad thus far. Just a few things to make note of.

First is that if the focus is to be on the rider, then the fore/background elements need to be de-focused to some degree (i.e. blurred).
The mud should be blurred the most, the sky just a bit.
Also... don't make the mud look so perfect. Mud splashes are very random/chaotic looking. Your looks more like an overhead view of the dirtbike track layout.

You have a nice effect on the mud. Keep that.

I suggest you duplicate this document to try these things out.
See if this helps any and get back to us. :B

 

[Welles]

That's a really nice idea, Melissa and a great suggestion from theKeeper.

I'm gonna use that idea sometime, heh heh, but probably with someone splashing in water.

 

[melissa]

mud splash

Maybe it is not as noticable as I thought--??-- but the mud splash is supposed to be a photo of my son. Thats why it looks like a track.

 

[melissa]

I'll try those focusing techniques and see if that makes it more real. Your right after I looked at this there needs to be more DOF. Thanks.

 

[SnowDog]

Hi Mellisa

Good tips from the Keeper.

What I like about your take on this type of photo is thats its alot more original then the same old ones I see photogrphers do around this part of the world. You know the collage with the main photo in the center and four little ones around it. Work on it and you'll have a great image

SnowDog

 

[Welles]

Haw!

melissa! I never even saw 'the face in the mud' as I kept looking through it to the image behind. That's great!

:} :} :} :}

 

[Moth]

Wow! Really cool effect.
:}

 

[Sheba]

Oh cool! I didn't notice the face either until you mentioned it, then it jumped right out at me! Love it! What a fun idea!

 

[melissa]

Thanks for the great comments! I didn't even realize the mud face was hard to see. I guess thats where 'new eyes' sure come in handy!