Brian Swinyard, PPSA
May 2023 - Migraine
Original
About the Image(s)
During a holiday in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales, I happened across a stone cottage with two sculptures on one wall. They were about 3’ x 2’ and the original is one of them. In Photoshop, I flipped it horizontally, cropped/stretched it horizontally, removed the colour, added an artistic filter (probably crosshatch but I can’t be sure) and made that the background layer. I then made a duplicate layer, reduced the size, colorized it and this became the mid-ground layer. For the foreground layer, I used ICM and took a picture of a white elderflower. After applying a stroked line to the background and mid-ground layers, I flattened the image to what you see before you. Enjoy but don’t get a headache looking at it!
18 comments posted
Brian, I very much enjoy your image and the process you used to create it. The use of an image in an image and the swirling lines add a nice sense of movement and tie the planes together nicely. I'm not sure it communicates migraine to me as the figures face does not seem to show any distress. Posted: 05/12/2023 20:26:58
Brad, Many thanks for your comments which are much appreciated. I agree with you that the face is too calm and serene to reflect the turmoil of a migraine headache. I was trying to create that feeling with the white swirling 'hair' creeping over the face. In order to increase that sense of distress, I have added some Photoshop Filter effects below. The first one is the Oil Paint effect. Posted: 05/20/2023 03:01:38
The second one is the Liquify effect. Posted: 05/20/2023 03:02:40
The third one is Radial Blur > Dissolve. Posted: 05/20/2023 03:03:40
The fourth one is the Extrude Filter. Posted: 05/20/2023 03:04:34
The fifth one is a Duplicate Layer flipped horizontally and blended to the Background Layer at 65%. This creates the illusion that the individual doesn't know whether he is coming or going! Posted: 05/20/2023 03:17:49
The layered effect works well here. I like how the static sculptures inspired you to add motion and make it more dynamic.
The swirls are a tad bright Posted: 05/19/2023 13:57:37
The swirls are a tad bright Posted: 05/19/2023 13:57:37
Lisa, Thanks for your comments which are much appreciated. I was trying to create a visual tension between the brightness of the swirls creeping over the calm, monotone face and to direct the viewer's attention towards the oncoming migraine headache. Posted: 05/20/2023 03:15:17
Brian, I love your further explorations. Each captures a different and interesting energy. Nicely done. Posted: 05/20/2023 12:09:28
Brad, Many thanks for your comments; much appreciated. Posted: 05/22/2023 14:44:24
Brian I admire your creative thinking. The first image made me smile which I am sure is not what a migraine does. The variations are a lot more convincing especially the last one but perhaps the fourth one is the most successful for me. You must have had lots of fun creating these. Posted: 05/21/2023 03:39:33
Hazel, Many thanks for your comments which are much appreciated. I certainly had fun creating the variations and I would tend to agree with your comment of which image(s) best illustrate migraine. Posted: 05/21/2023 08:40:18
Hi Brian,
I like the hair effect on the image. It looks cool, but I don't get the sense of a migraine from the effect. Actually, I think it works without the swirly effects. Posted: 05/21/2023 18:44:08
I like the hair effect on the image. It looks cool, but I don't get the sense of a migraine from the effect. Actually, I think it works without the swirly effects. Posted: 05/21/2023 18:44:08
Tom, Many thanks for your comments; much appreciated. Others in the group picked up on the fact that the title 'Migraine' is not reflected in the content of the image. Hence my variations to Brad above. Without the white swirly 'hair' a more appropriate title might be 'Meditation'. Posted: 05/22/2023 14:42:41
Brian, the image shouts the title, migrane. Well thought out and crafted.
The depth of your understanding and handling of Photoshop is truly amazing and spurs me on to learn more. You are a skilled teacher at challenging students which you developed over your professional career.
Your back and forth interactions with the above critiques really adds. Please keep challenging us with your creations. Posted: 05/22/2023 16:12:08
The depth of your understanding and handling of Photoshop is truly amazing and spurs me on to learn more. You are a skilled teacher at challenging students which you developed over your professional career.
Your back and forth interactions with the above critiques really adds. Please keep challenging us with your creations. Posted: 05/22/2023 16:12:08
Henry, Thank you for your kind words which are much appreciated. One of the problems I find with digital imaging is knowing when to stop. There is so much in Photoshop which we can never do justice to but merely aspire to. Posted: 05/23/2023 02:08:53
Brian, I prefer the radial blur effect to depict a migraine, that works for me as things might be blurry when one has a headache like that. Have you thought of retaining more of the forehead and placing a horizontal crack or down one side of the face or both (photographed from a cracked wall) to depict "head splitting with a migraine?" Just a thought. Posted: 05/23/2023 06:11:42
Nadia, Many thanks for your comments which are much appreciated. Interesting that you prefer the Radial Blur effect which certainly illustrates how migraine can play havoc with your visual acuity. I like your idea of introducing a crack on the forehead to imply that your head is splitting with a migraine. Posted: 05/25/2023 09:39:59