Manipulating the world
May 28th, 2006 by Peter
Though I in my picture/gallery FAQ have proclaimed that most pictures are unharmed by image manipulation, it is slowly becoming a lie. Well at least something I need to rephrase in the FAQ.
Lately I have been more and more interested in image polishing, manipulation, adjustment and you name it. If you have a little flair and interest you can easily learn to use computer programs to give pictures a nice finish, or even manipulate them into the exact way that you find most suitable. We are not talking miracles her, but sometimes you can get close. Way behind Hollywood, I know, but still a pretty sweet thing to know a bit about when you like to maintain a gallery as a part of your blog.
Until some months ago, I only had one picture in the gallery that was manipulated to have a purple sky effect. Now all pictures I put are in some way enhanced or adjusted. They are resized and/or cropped to fit the homepage and space I am allowed by my Internet Service Provider.
I don’t want to bend the truth people perceive, but to a certain extend you could say that I do. I guess it depends on the guest’s viewpoint.
Below are some pictures where I felt it was necessary.
An example where I merged two pictures into a more appropriate big one (Hold your cursor on the picture to see more information)
Before pasting the two pictures together, I made the second picture straighter to fit the first picture. Then I copied it to the other, fitted them in size and adjusted the brightness. Finally I joined the layers and “rubber stamped” the more obvious edges together to make it look as one picture.
The finished result showing the building, as my camera couldn’t catch it being to big for the lens:
I don’t believe this is a lie, or a way to cheat people who visit this site, but more a way to give them a more accurate picture of the Danish parliament building.
Another example:
Below you will find a more obvious adjustment, that I would agree is closer to edge of what I allow myself to do to a picture. I did – however – find the scenery without road and lampposts more fitting for my wife’s smile. :-)
Before manipulation the picture:
After manipulation the picture:
Maybe it is just plain cheat but in this case I don’t care.
I must point out, that such a big manipulation of a picture is a rare thing for my gallery. Mostly the pictures are only resized and/or cropped.
Anyway, enjoy the gallery if you like after hearing the awful truth. :-)