Man and Machine

[FocalFrenzy]

This is how I processed the shot I submitted to this weeks' assignment (Machinery).
I started of with these 2 shots (combined for this tutorial).

I used Canon's Raw editer to make the skull look metallic. This involved setting the white-balance to "tungsten" and adjusting the color temperature to achieve the effect I wanted. I also adjusted the contrast to darken the background. On the portrait of the ugly guy (who looks alot like me), I adjusted the contrast to try to match that in the skull image. Once I was satisfied, I opened the self-portrait in GIMP. I then pasted the skull image onto a separate layer, and set the opacity at 75%. I maneuvered this layer until the skull lined up roughly with my own from the portrait image. I then used the eraser tool to remove the parts of my head that I wanted the skull to show through, and returned the opacity to 100%. Next I merged and flattened the 2 layers into one image. I added the "Nova" effect from the light filter menu. Here's the result.

I may tweak the end result a little bit at a later date, but for now I'm pleased with the "Terminator" type shot I got. My son is a big "Terminator" fan and he wants me to do one of these for him and his girlfriend. I will probably have to reduce the size of the skull for her shot, but the end result should look nice. I hope some of you give this a try. It really was a fun way to spend an evening. Thanks for looking,
Gary

[ressalg]

Did you have a (presumably fake) skull or did you find a picture elsewhere?

I think this is a good attempt but it could definately use some refinement. The line between face and skull is too harsh. When you do attempt to "tweek" it, that'd be one of the things I'd try to do. Just don't ask me how. Until after I've tried it anyway.

*starts rummaging through old boxes*

Now, where did I leave that fake skull?

[FocalFrenzy]

The skull I used, came from Anatomical Chart Company. They sell skeletons to schools and doctors' offices, but sell factory seconds to the public. This is where I get most of my body parts for my Halloween display. My home is full of these things, but luckily the wife thinks it's cool. Thanks for your comments.

[FocalFrenzy]

I downloaded a background from Flickr, and applied it using GIMP. I also worked on the transition between the flesh and steel. Does the addition of the blood make the transition look more believable?

[sandraodarp]

I think you did a good job placing the subject in front of the fire background, it looks believable.
I would loose the the blood and just soften the transition with a soft brush. You can use a layer mask and easily do that. Play around with different brushes and see which one will work.
Let me know how it goes!!

Sandra