GIMP Version: 2.6.11
Operating System: Windows
OS Version: XP - SP3
GIMP Experience: Basic Level

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I have been working on this Neptune image since I found your wonderful site. I have gotten about as far as I can with altering it with the tutorials I have found.

I'm still not satisfied with it and would like to know what you experts would do to improve on it.

Here is my altered image.



The source is a photo I took of a local statue of King Neptune:


Background is a random ocean photo found at morguefile.com

Thanks!

Em

I would suggest making him seem more blended in cause now it is really obvious that he was added there

With the smudge tool?

possibly, I figured it out, he is too sharp, for the image in the background, just seems weird

I love the color you used for him. It's very "Neptunian." I agree that it should be more blended with the background or perhaps slightly blurred around the figure.

I always think of Neptune rising out of the sea.

He is much too "flat" IMO, but I'm not sure how to blend him without loosing some of his other features. His facial hair isn't right, either, but can't seem to figure it out. Tried making him a blond, ginger and aqua, too and none seemed quite right.

I thank you for your help!

I also tried adding stripes like a tiger shark and other tropical fish spots, et al and it just didn't work out. Need more training, I suppose.

I've attached the full res image if anyone else wants to work with Neptune. I loved to see what you will do.

E

That's a great photo. You may want to do an image search for pictures of Neptune. Probably should specify god in the search because otherwise you'll probably get pictures of the planet. Anyway, other pictures may give you some ideas to work with.

I went through and did a few things. Small changes.

First, used the Burn/Dodge tool to darken (burn) the bright edge of his stomach. Also lightened (dodge) the edge of his shoulder closest to the sun. Neither looks great See the first image below.

Then I duplicated the layer and on the duplicate, did a gaussian blur of 5px. Set that layer mode to Screen and lower the opacity to 20-30%. This lightens the image and makes it a little softer. See the second image below.

Finally, I did a gradient map on it. This helps to subtly balance colors if you don't over do it, which I always do. His green skin kind of glowed and I thought needed a little balance. See the third image below.



Since I had two layers, I did "new from visible" (instead of duplicate) which made a new layer with all the stuff I'd already done. I tried using Iridescent as the gradient map, which made the image a little more red. I liked it but it made his skin less green. I did a light green/light yellow FG to BG gradient map and it made the light areas yellow and the dark areas green. I set the layer on Overlay and lowered the opacity to 15%.

It's a very small change, even smaller than using iridescent as the gradient map, but there you go.

dodge/burn > soften > gradient map > original

.

Taking the image, modifying it and re-uploading has affected the quality of it. *sad face*

I would think of Neptune as having gray hair.
A small amount of feathering around him and the image will look pretty good in my opinion.
The shadowing seems a little off like the sun should be above him, and not behind him.

Rod,

I thought about gray, but honestly if you have the power of a god why would you be gray? lol!

Em

Because the sun is behind him, and not overhead, what about creating an aura all around him so that it will make more contrast against the dark water. There seems to be some around his head so that light should also spill in behind his arms and shoulders.