About the Image(s)
Apologies for my late submission this month. I have just returned from a spell in the Brecon Beacons in South Wales and unfortunately I didn’t have any internet access while I was away from home. This image was taken several years ago in the Hermitage Museum in Russia. I was drawn to the chap in the wheelchair listening to the recorded message on his audio equipment. I liked the idea of him seeing in monochrome and, with the help of the audio recording, putting colour into what he was seeing. The original image was in colour. I added a Duplicate Layer and converted it to monochrome via Hue/Saturation, Stroked a 2-pixel line around this layer and then used the Transform Warp tool to pull the top left corner into his hand.
Melissa Cramer Sonnen
Brian - this is an amazing idea. It is perfect, right down to the picture on the turned-back sheet. Of course, the technical elements are exactly right. I especially like the appearance of lighting by fluorescents from above. Very smart!
Does this "peeling back" work on faces? I'm in!!!!   Posted: 10/15/2024 16:48:52
Brian Swinyard
Melissa, Thank you for your kind words which are much appreciated. This 'peeling back' effect works on anything and anyone; of course some subjects work better than others and that is a matter of trial and error. I have attached below a quick example for your information.  
Posted: 10/25/2024 16:23:51
Brad Becker
Brian, This is a clever idea. I'm not sure the image on the back of the peeled back wall makes sense. I wonder if you could tone down the black line at the edge as that doesn't feel realistic. I also wonder if you peeled back the wall just to where the right wall meets the left wall.   Posted: 10/18/2024 03:42:49
Brian Swinyard
Brad, Many thanks for your comments which are much appreciated. I'm not sure I understand your reference to '... image on the back of the peeled back wall ...' What I am trying to portray here is a chap who is wheelchair-bound, who's vision is limited to monochrome and (with the help of his audio guide) is fleshing out his vision of the world with colour. I decided not to peel back to the join of the walls as I wanted to create the illusion that the man was in control of the peeling-back process and there was still more of the process to go. These things are always going to be very subjective; you can have ten individuals doing the same process and ending up with ten different interpretations.   Posted: 10/25/2024 16:36:57
Brian Swinyard
Brad, Regarding the image on the back of the peeled back wall: I was trying to show a transfer printing effect where the monochrome is being lifted from the background to reveal the colour underneath. Regarding the black line at the edge: I have found in the past that there is sometimes a bleed-over between the layers which is prevented by the stroked black line.   Posted: 10/26/2024 09:08:02
Nadia Trevan
Hi Brian, having read your description, my thoughts are what would the man in the wheelchair be listening to; perhaps about the life of the artist or the model? Perhaps he's daydreaming! And so, the idea of "peeling back" would suggest that he's visualising something different to what's already there.
You might consider having the tip of the top left corner go through the man's hand to show that he's holding it - easily done through masking. Also I would suggest that some space be added on the right side of the frame to allow the visual of "peeling back" - it feels a bit "crowded"
Having said that, I find your image creative and clever. Well done   Posted: 10/22/2024 10:22:15
Brian Swinyard
Nadia, Thank you for your kind words which are much appreciated. The man in the wheelchair would be listening to the audio sound-track trying to understand a bit more about the artist, the painting and/or the model(s). Or, as you say, perhaps he has simply drifted off into a daydream about life in general or the painting(s) in particular. I did try to position the corner of the peel-back in the man's right hand although looking at the image again, it appears that his right hand is deformed. I take your point about more space on the right-hand-side would have been beneficial to allow the composition to breathe.   Posted: 10/25/2024 16:51:39
Lisa Cuchara
I love the use of the transform warm to bring the room back. The fact that the ma's world is in black and white and he is wheel chair bound, while the peeled back part is in color adds a lot to the story.
What a powerful image and concept! Your reflection on the man in the wheelchair highlights the intersection of accessibility and art. It's fascinating to think about how the audio recording serves as a bridge, allowing him to experience the artwork in a richer way despite the monochrome visual.
This piece challenges conventional views on experiencing art but also invites viewers to reflect on their own perceptions and the ways we engage with our surroundings.
What inspired you to create this piece in particular?
Perhaps try to add to the right side for a little more space, and the man's hand appears a little deformed and magenta.   Posted: 10/26/2024 04:03:39
Brian Swinyard
Lisa, Thank you for your kind words which are much appreciated. I always enjoy reading your comments which add an academic, aesthetic gloss to the process. I like the notion of intersection of accessibility and art, how the audio recording serves as a bridge and how conventional views are challenged. My inspiration for the piece came from the fact that one of the students on my MA Photography Course was wheelchair-bound and one of her projects focussed on movement captured in monochrome. Playing around one day with the Transform Tools, the two ideas popped into my subconscious and 'Pulling Back Time' was born. I agree with your comments about more space on the right-hand-side and the hand deformity.   Posted: 10/26/2024 08:40:43
Tom Kredo
Hi Brian,
Thanks for sharing your technique! Very clever idea. I'm sure I'll have a use for this technique. I would think the man should be in color and then he is pulling back the photos only, but this works well as is.   Posted: 10/28/2024 18:45:40
Brian Swinyard
Tom, I like your idea of the man in colour and pulling back the individual photos. This would add a new dynamic and visual story to the end result. It could be achieved by making the background layer monochrome and leaving the foreground layer in colour.   Posted: 10/28/2024 22:25:56