I shot this image in a Masai village in Kenya. When I lead photo tours to Kenya, we have at least one photo session in a village and it always nets great images. For this picture, I asked one of the Masai warriors how far he can throw a spear accurately, and he told me about 30 yards. I then asked him if he would throw his spear for my camera, and he agreed. I got down low to I could photograph him against the bright sky -- hoping for a bold and dynamic silhouette -- and using continuous shooting I captured this wonderful shape. Then, when i got home, I used Photoshop to replace the sky with storm clouds. I reduced the Masai tribesman to a small size, giving the illusion of a huge sky and a sense of how large the Masai Mara Game Reserve is.
2 Comments
Nov 10, 2015, 12:33:40 AM
Rohinton Mehta - Very nice image.
Could you please describe how to correctly use the Pen Tool in Photoshop to create cut-outs that could be merged with other backgrounds?
Thank you.
Rohinton Mehta
Mumbai, India
Nov 10, 2015, 12:23:05 AM
Jim - Hi Rohinton, I can't explain it in a few sentences. I'm writing an ebook right now titled 'Cool Photoshop Techniques', and the pen tool has several pages devoted to it. Very quickly, though, you choose the pen tool and work at 300% to 400% magnification of the image. You lay down 'anchor points' along the edge of the subject and you place the points around the entire area, connecting the last point to the first one. I.e., completing the circuit. Then you go to the paths palette, hit the time icon in the upper right corner to see the submenu, and choose 'make selection'. Choose a one pixel feather radius in the dialog box, and hit OK. Now you have a selection.