Superimposing a texture on an image

[texxter]

Hi friends,
I am a Photoshop user but not an advanced user - so perhaps one of you guru's can help me. I want to shoot a portrait with a muslin background. Then in post I want to add architectural shapes to this background. One way to do is is to combine two images, one with the architectual features, and another with the muslin background and the subject, and then merge them together somehow. I want to superimpose my muslin background on the architectural image...any thoughts on how to do this?

Here is an example of what I am taking about, although I want to do something quite different:


Image copyright: Joyce Tenneson

[ramblinray]

If you open both images you want to make the composite with in PS, then you can drag the background layer from one to the image of the other. Drag the one you want to be able to control the opacity of into the other image. PS names the new layer as Layer 1 and you can play with that layer to get the look you want. Then you just flatten the layers to make the composite one image. I hope this helps

[texxter]

Thanks, Ray. I am thinking of doing that, I will try it to see how it goes. I am afraid that a simple opacity trick will not create natural results, but I am willing to start there.

[texxter]

Ray, again, thanks. I just need to play with the merging modes and do multiple layering to get natural effects. I just tried with a simple fabric texture and an orange architectural detail and I got close. The trick is color - the layering with partial opacity messes colors up. I'll have to experiment more... here is what I got so far - first two images are the sources and third one is the merged one.

[DigitalDiva]

I would play around with it for you but I see you do allow edits. First your arch. layer will be layer 2 the material layer 1. Layer 2 on top right click choose blending options, probably want overlay or hard light, still you'll have to change opacity but color will still be visible.

[carrbowl]

I did something similar to this, and had a photo with a blue in it...then layered some stuff and put the same color blue on the layers. I had difficulty getting the colors the same...it was suggested to me to use hue and saturation. It helped, but I still couldn't get it as close as I wanted. I feel pretty certain it was operator error though.

[mivy00]

If you dont want the color cast you could turn the architectural image black and white before you set the blend mode

[ramblinray]

Is this closer to what you are looking for? I copied the columns to the fabric and it retained some of the color. You didn't specify what color you were trying to keep. I assumed it was the brown.

[sniperkittie]

The first was done with CorelPhoto-Paint X3. It is accomplished using a Texture Effect. I believe you can accomplish what you want in PhotoShop using a Filter called Texture. Use you column photo as the base and load your texture above. I do not have Photoshop so I cannot be more specific. The second one is once again done with the texture about but I lightened it, added contrast and intensity. It is the 3rd image.

Like ramblinray, i did not know what color you wanted to retain. In Corel that can be adjusted somewhat in the Effects filter. It can also done adjusting the begining texture..

[texxter]

Thank you all for your advice and ideas. What I want to accomplish is to create columns made out of fabric, so I want the color to be exactly that of the fabric. In this case the fabric is gray, which makes it easier, but in the real world I'd want to use other colors. It seems simple, but it's tricky to get it right! Your ideas really help!

[sniperkittie]

Originally Posted by texxter

Thank you all for your advice and ideas. What I want to accomplish is to create columns made out of fabric, so I want the color to be exactly that of the fabric. In this case the fabric is gray, which makes it easier, but in the real world I'd want to use other colors. It seems simple, but it's tricky to get it right! Your ideas really help!

You may want to experiment making your master image close to the color you wish to end with a apply a grayscale texture to it using the Phototshop filter.

Muslin off the net converted to grayscale on grayscale columns.

Good luck to you.

[KdLaneJr]

Have you tried doing an edge mask of the sculpture, then blending the edge mask with the muslin background?

Since edges define shape, it seems like it might be a way to accomplish this without bringing color into it.

Just a thought...

[texxter]

Thanks again for the comments. The suggestion to have the architectural details be in grayscale before the layering will work, I think. Edge masks will not work because shape is not defined by edges, but by edges and light/shadows. An outline of a column will not look like a column, if I understood your suggestion correctly. Thanks for taking the time to comment anyway!!!

Paco

[sparkyjr]

another way that might work is to right click the layer you want to apply to the other and go to blending options. Go to the "Blend If" section at the bottom of the window and play with the sliders. Holding down option while manipulating the sliders allows you to split the slider and achieve a softer effect.

[markfh]

Here y'all are talking about adding texture and I'm working on removing texture from old scanned photographs...