Photo Manipulation

Photoshop can be used with an amazing level of creativity. Old pictures that are barely tolerable can be give new life; other images which suffer distractions from the main idea can be made to serve the narrative better.

Each item in this collage was a separate photograph. The backgrounds were removed from each tool and arranged in layers and groups of layers to make a many-layered .psd file.

Each item in this collage was a separate photograph. The backgrounds were removed from each tool and arranged in layers and groups of layers to make a many-layered .psd file.

Photo composition made by laying actual objects directly on a scanner.

Photo composition made by laying actual objects directly on a scanner.

Photo composition made by laying actual objects directly on a scanner.

Photo composition made by laying actual objects directly on a scanner.

An old Polaroid from the early 1960s that had been scratched and faded while it sat in a box was repaired and given back its rich, unfaded color curves.

An old Polaroid from the early 1960s that had been scratched and faded while it sat in a box was repaired and given back its rich, unfaded color curves.

BEFORE: Background showing unsightly hotel and cars; distant pump hard to see; “NO CHECKS HONORED” sign on pump. AFTER: Neutral woodsy background installed (leaving car and access road in place); checks sign removed

BEFORE: Background showing unsightly hotel and cars; distant pump hard to see; “NO CHECKS HONORED” sign on pump. AFTER: Neutral woodsy background installed (leaving car and access road in place); checks sign removed

BEFORE: Processor unit has damaged roof and rusty components. AFTER: Processor unit has correct roof and components without rust.

BEFORE: Processor unit has damaged roof and rusty components. AFTER: Processor unit has correct roof and components without rust.

BEFORE: Blue and orange tarps in background (see upper left also); drips and mess around tank; worker in scene. AFTER: Tarps removed and facility structure created in those areas; curb extended to stairway; sand cleaned up; worker removed.

BEFORE: Blue and orange tarps in background (see upper left also); drips and mess around tank; worker in scene. AFTER: Tarps removed and facility structure created in those areas; curb extended to stairway; sand cleaned up; worker removed.

BEFORE: Fire extinguisher, wall label, peel off strip and ballpoint pen distract from product (tape) AFTER: These items removed, including within glass reflection. Window from door removed to reduce distraction.

BEFORE: Fire extinguisher, wall label, peel off strip and ballpoint pen distract from product (tape) AFTER: These items removed, including within glass reflection. Window from door removed to reduce distraction.

BEFORE: Light non-functional on canopy logo strip; telephone poles and wires in background. AFTER: Light made functional on canopy logo strip; telephone poles and wires in background removed.

BEFORE: Light non-functional on canopy logo strip; telephone poles and wires in background. AFTER: Light made functional on canopy logo strip; telephone poles and wires in background removed.

BEFORE: Background facility not sharp; worker on wrong side for layout needs. AFTER: Worker and protective railing flipped; new, sharper photo of same facility placed in background.

BEFORE: Background facility not sharp; worker on wrong side for layout needs. AFTER: Worker and protective railing flipped; new, sharper photo of same facility placed in background.

BEFORE: Furnace unit has ripped gasket on end; lots of rust on tower unit to right; no noticeable sky. AFTER: Gasket repaired; rust removed from tower unit; sky made blue; color balance improved.

BEFORE: Furnace unit has ripped gasket on end; lots of rust on tower unit to right; no noticeable sky. AFTER: Gasket repaired; rust removed from tower unit; sky made blue; color balance improved.

BEFORE: Power lines and ditch in background; license tag on bumper. AFTER: Power lines and ditch removed from background; license tag removed from bumper.

BEFORE: Power lines and ditch in background; license tag on bumper. AFTER: Power lines and ditch removed from background; license tag removed from bumper.