Photoshop surgery: swapping heads and other body parts

Greetings all,

For quite some time I’ve been working in Photoshop to perfect the art of "swapping heads" and other forms of "Photoshop surgery" (some may call it "Photoshop trickery"). After much time, trial and error, I find that I can do it if a person has the patience. But still more times than not, there seems to be a lingering "fake" aspect to the touched up images. I do my best to match lighting, color, grain, texture and resolution, but yet they never seem to be quite perfect. I know it can be done because I’ve seen other examples floating around here and there, usually on the web, where you know a Photoshop master got in there and did a completely believable composite. Even sometimes of something that can’t possibly exist but yet it looks totally believable, and you findyorself asking, "is that real?"
(perhaps some of you have seen the picture of the "jet airliner," where what is normally the main long passenger section is one big engine, and under the wings where the engines would normally be, are small pods or "passenger sections.")

Seems like I’ve been trying forever (a very long time) to find good information, books or tutorials (preferably video tutorials) on this somewhat obscure subject regarding Photoshop. Some books like "How To Cheat In Photoshop" by Steve Caplin, touch on the subject briefly but are otherwise very lacking and usually devote only 1 or 2 pages to the matter. Who are the masters? Is there anyone that puts out training or tutorials on this specific subject? I would be very grateful if anyone could let me know. Thank you.

"James" wrote in message

Greetings all,

For quite some time I’ve been working in Photoshop to perfect the art of "swapping heads" and other forms of "Photoshop surgery" (some may call it "Photoshop trickery"). After much time, trial and error, I find that I can do it if a person has the patience. But still more times than not, there seems to be a lingering "fake" aspect to the touched up images. I do my best to match lighting, color, grain, texture and resolution, but yet they never seem to be quite perfect. I know it can be done because I’ve seen other examples floating around here and there, usually on the web, where you know a Photoshop master got in there and did a completely believable composite. Even sometimes of something that can’t possibly exist but yet it looks totally believable, and you findyorself asking, "is that real?"
(perhaps some of you have seen the picture of the "jet airliner," where what is normally the main long passenger section is one big engine, and under the wings where the engines would normally be, are small pods or "passenger sections.")

Seems like I’ve been trying forever (a very long time) to find good information, books or tutorials (preferably video tutorials) on this somewhat obscure subject regarding Photoshop. Some books like "How To Cheat In Photoshop" by Steve Caplin, touch on the subject briefly but are otherwise very lacking and usually devote only 1 or 2 pages to the matter. Who are the masters? Is there anyone that puts out training or tutorials on this specific subject? I would be very grateful if anyone could let me know. Thank you.

James,

You are on the right track, it is just practice that you need. If someone gave you a paintbrush or a chisel could you paint or sculpt a portrait?
No?
Bet you could after no little practice though.
Getting "believeability" in PS depends on so many things, not least a very good working knowledge of the program. (again, practice) If you want to see what the "big boys" can do in this area have a look at the following site, gallery, contests and some tutorials. http://www.worth1000.com/default.asp

HTH
TWK

"Toobi-Won Kenobi" <Toobi-won > wrote in message

"James" wrote in message

Greetings all,

For quite some time I’ve been working in Photoshop to perfect the art of "swapping heads" and other forms of "Photoshop surgery" (some may call it "Photoshop trickery"). After much time, trial and error, I find that I can do it if a person has the patience. But still more times than not, there seems to be a lingering "fake" aspect to the touched up images. I do my best to match lighting, color, grain, texture and resolution, but yet they never seem to be quite perfect. I know it can be done because I’ve seen other examples floating around here and there, usually on the web, where you know a Photoshop master got in there and did a completely believable composite. Even sometimes of something that can’t possibly exist but yet it looks totally believable, and you findyorself asking, "is that real?"
(perhaps some of you have seen the picture of the "jet airliner," where what is normally the main long passenger section is one big engine, and under the wings where the engines would normally be, are small pods or "passenger sections.")

Seems like I’ve been trying forever (a very long time) to find good information, books or tutorials (preferably video tutorials) on this somewhat obscure subject regarding Photoshop. Some books like "How To Cheat In Photoshop" by Steve Caplin, touch on the subject briefly but are otherwise very lacking and usually devote only 1 or 2 pages to the matter. Who are the masters? Is there anyone that puts out training or tutorials on this specific subject? I would be very grateful if anyone could let me know. Thank you.

James,

You are on the right track, it is just practice that you need. If someone gave you a paintbrush or a chisel could you paint or sculpt a portrait?
No?
Bet you could after no little practice though.
Getting "believeability" in PS depends on so many things, not least a very good working knowledge of the program. (again, practice) If you want to see what the "big boys" can do in this area have a look at the following site, gallery, contests and some tutorials. http://www.worth1000.com/default.asp

HTH
TWK

It looks like a fun and interesting link.
Thanks for posting that.

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