first attempt at summer to winter

[digimatte]

I wanted to try a summer-to-winter shot. I used Photoshop and a Wacom. From start to finish was within an hour.

Critiques and advice are welcome, since this will be the first of many mattes of this type. I really enjoyed doing it.

- Justin

http://www.digimatte.com/bin/forum_stuff/justin_jones_snow_matte_01.jpg

[digimatte]

ok, here's a couple tips I've already gotten.

- less or no snow under cars
- less snow on asphalt areas
- more objects poking out of the ground, since the tires indicate shallow snow
- maybe even have the street look as if it had just been plowed


I grew up in the south so I dont know much about how snow looks and acts. Also, the internet wasn't working when I did this so I didn't have any reference images to go off of.

j

[B. Kachel]

I think your off to a good start. Maybe add some tire tracks in the snow from the vehicles, close the windows, and make the shadows bluer. Also maybe try reintroducing some blue int the sky, because it is too desaturated. It looks like an overcast day in a sunny scene.

Hope this helps. Good work.
-Brandon Kachel

[digimatte]

I think your off to a good start. Maybe add some tire tracks in the snow from the vehicles, close the windows, and make the shadows bluer. Also maybe try reintroducing some blue int the sky, because it is too desaturated. It looks like an overcast day in a sunny scene.

Hope this helps. Good work.
-Brandon Kachel

thanks for the tips. I was going for a fresh snow look and I wanted the building to looks somewhat abandoned, as if they left just before an unexpected snow.

Though perhaps I'll add some tire tracks just to give me more of a challenge. Especially since the whole point of trying this out was to learn.

The advice on the sky is definitely something I overlooked. Thanks.

[digimatte]

ok guys.... here's a revised version.

I removed the cumulus clouds, made the road look like it had been plowed, added footprints in the snow, and removed the snow from beneath the cars (though its hard to tell)

I didn't add any tire tracks, as were suggested, cause I want it to look like no one had been to the building in days.....except for the newcomer who left the footprints.

http://www.digimatte.com/bin/forum_stuff/justin_jones_snow_matte_02.jpg

[kaz]

can u go thru the process of creating this and what softwars you used etc

[digimatte]

can u go thru the process of creating this and what softwars you used etc

pretty simple really....it all started as a test to see if I could even do a summer-to-winter.

I just started playing with different brushes in Photoshop and worked on a small area. When I realized it was going pretty well, I started adding more and more. I found a great brush for frosting the windows. I had no reference at the time because my internet connection was down, so I just imagined where snow would be falling and collecting.

When I did get internet again, I posted it on here and another forum and got some great feedback. I found a lot of photo-reference and went back to work. I used a photo of a road just after it had been plowed and used that to create the road at the bottom. I took an image of footsteps in the snow and use the luminance of it to create footsteps in my snow.

When it all comes down to it, just some basic paint work and a bit of photo compositing.

Again, this started as just a test to see if I had what it takes to do it. I plan on doing many more. Its a fun challenge.

justin