Posted by bill meikle on December 30, 2009 at 8:41 AM
Anyone know how to select a dragonfly then place it on a different background?
The problem comes with the selection, it's hard to select all the wing details and not include the whole wing, so the background doesn't show through the transparent parts between the "veins" in the wing.
Been struggling with this for a while, as have others.
Posted by Andreas Resch on December 30, 2009 at 9:06 AM
For transparent masking there are several techniques that can be used. It would help if you can show us the image.
Every image is different but I have a feeling that Blending modes are going to be the key in this case.
Posted by Jim DeWitt on December 30, 2009 at 6:17 PM
A better technique:
(1) Net the dragonfly. Butterfly nets work great.
(2) Place the dragonfly in refrigerator for half an hour. It won't be hurt, but it will be immobile.
(3) Place the dragonfly where you want it to be. It will grasp what you put it on, but not fly
(4) You have 5-10 minutes (depending on temperature) to get your shot.
In the field, an ice-filled beer cooler works nicely, plus, you know, the beer is handy.
Thanks to Bob Armstrong, who taught me this technique, which doesn't harm the dragonfly at all, gets you good shots and spares you the agony of clipping these guys in PS.
Discussion
4 repliesThe problem comes with the selection, it's hard to select all the wing details and not include the whole wing, so the background doesn't show through the transparent parts between the "veins" in the wing.
Been struggling with this for a while, as have others.
(1) Net the dragonfly. Butterfly nets work great.
(2) Place the dragonfly in refrigerator for half an hour. It won't be hurt, but it will be immobile.
(3) Place the dragonfly where you want it to be. It will grasp what you put it on, but not fly
(4) You have 5-10 minutes (depending on temperature) to get your shot.
In the field, an ice-filled beer cooler works nicely, plus, you know, the beer is handy.
Thanks to Bob Armstrong, who taught me this technique, which doesn't harm the dragonfly at all, gets you good shots and spares you the agony of clipping these guys in PS.
http://hscripts.com/freeimages/icons/