Surreal image

Make surreal art with masks.

     This project took a little longer than expected. Some of the instructions were not clear, or maybe my version of photoshop is different.
     When I first seen this tutorial it really didn't interest me, but I looked it over and thought what the hell why not. Once I started I couldn't stop. This kind of imagery almost forces you to be creative.
     When I downloaded the image file ( it took awhile ) so that was a warning to me that there was a lot of images. This piece has 18 different images blended into it.

Valley of the Gnomes

I couldn't resist putting myself into the picture.

Out of bounds

Play with out of bounds effects.

     This image was relatively simple, But still a great lesson plan. This image used 5 images, and the use of masks to blend them.

     The top two images were cut in half with a mask to create the background.

     This image used for the smoke around the wheels, and the image on the right is used out of the smoke stack. The train was used twice.

once in full color and again for the sepia or vintage look on the 

train cars.

     The fun part was creating the shine of the headlights. "pretty cool".

Fractal tiger

Photoshop Creative tutorial.

Following the tutorial from the Photoshop Creative magazine. This is the image I created.

     This image was created using relatively straightforward techniques. The one tool that was used is the infamous "Pen tool". I have used this tool in Illustrator, and just love it, but never had a lot of use for it in photoshop until today. Some of the other tools used are the brush tool, and the smudge tool was used to create the effects of the hair strands. Most noticeable on the glowing edges and outline.   

El Nino, A strengthening El Niño could have big impacts on Wisconsin this winter.

Poster inspiration comes when you least expect it. 

Photoshop "Owl's Flight"

created this nice effect practicing with the the quick select tool, and refine edge feature.

Original

Flight through Photoshop

With the quick select tool I selected just the wings, then I went to the select tab and chose refine edge. refined the edge to what I thought looked pretty good. Then choose OK. with the image area still active type "ctrl + J" this puts the selection on its own layer.
     Make a copy of the layer. "ctrl + J".

Now play around with resizing and warping each layer until you like the way they fit.

I wanted to give it a little more effect so I simply put it on a Black background.

The edges sort of disappear
I wasn't expecting that.....But I kinda like it...  

The Owl's flight continues.

I have no idea where this fascination with owls came from. But for now I'm just going with it.

This next image was created using bushes in Photoshop. I usually only used brushes to erase things,But now..........I can use them to create.

Photoshop "The season change"

sure can be rough on a guy. 

One day it's warm out and my sinuses go berzerk.Then the next day it gets cold out and I start getting my winter coat.........

Photoshop Things just happen

While playing around with images to create a duotone. 

I had cutout the image of a Ford mustang. I wanted to use it somehow. But I couldn't think of anything...So I let it sit..And went to work on my superhero character..After posterizing my face, and creating the superhero. I came back to the Mustang image. Posterized it and played around with the image, by adding perspective. just generally doodling around. Then it hit me. That thing would look mean in my rearview mirror.

This is the final....I think this would be an awesome mancave poster........

Photos

Photos I have taken.

This is a collection of images that I used to practice with.

It took quite a bit of photoshop manipulation to get the image on the right.

original

photoshop

More random Images. 

Learning TIG welding

Illustrator

Superhero

Hydro Man

With the stroke of my magical paddle.

I have the ability to change the course and depth of waterways.

Header image

What size is your header image?

I played around with it for awhile, and the size is 1" x 6.5". actually. no image also looks just fine.

I guess creating three more scenes would be the thing to do.
starting to play around with duotone coloring

Gradient Mesh

Adobe Illustrator Gradient mesh tool.

follow this step by step tutorial from design.tutsplus.com and create this awesome image.

Use of the gradient mesh tool

ebay

ebay warning

Warning:

Don’t become a victim

This all starts off innocent enough,

It begins with upgrading your current bike, and then you see the new bikes on-line.

So after many long nights browsing craigslist and e-bay you get the courage to go to the LBS.

It starts with a quick glance hoping nobody notices. Then you gently brush up against one of them, startled thinking it may fall over you grab it by the grips.

With a little coaxing you swing a leg over. Lift it up and down get a feel for fit and take it for a spin.

By now it is getting late and you need to get home.

That was enough excitement for one day.

Later that evening you go on e-bay. You can’t believe your eyes, there she is!

People are bidding on her but she deserves more than they are offering. So you innocently enough figure “I’ll be a good sport and drive up the bid” (not a good plan).

Guess what

I got a new training partner

Wow that didn't take long to get here from California.

Let's get it inside and let it thaw out a little.

Box look's undamaged, everything probably will be in good shape.

Wow the seller did a great job of packing 

Time to get it all assembled.

I took my new training partner from california out of the box, and gently sat her down on the couch. Then out of nowhere, she starts trash talking at the cross-country skis. Saying things like "guess what they do with abandoned wood in California?" I start thinking wow someone had rough trip.

This attitude continues when she gets put on the stand.

Startling the Harley that is just hibernating and dreaming about getting out this spring.

"Hey you ol hunk a Iron"

"who do you think is going to get more action next spring?"

I started wondering what have I started. This bike with one gear has a lot of spunk.

How did I like the first ride?

I love it.

I never really understood the whole single speed craze, and it is hard to explain. They really are just fun to ride. Funny how you are always in the right gear. The only time I don't like it is when riding on the wide open flats or on long downhill double track. Riding in the woods is great until you get to a real steep hill. But that's not a big deal because even if I had more gears. I probably would have to get off and walk anyhow.

  

Photoshop skeleton

Just in time for Halloween

I was at Blue lightning tv and thought.     

                                                              Hey this looks like fun. 

I did notice that Marty now has another video to create this effect but this is the one I used.

It only takes three images

This Is my final image

Go on give a try....Go get your grubby little digital fingers dirty.

Photoshop "Hanson"s Afternoon"

Hanson's Afternoon

I was just sitting here doodling around in Photoshop. Thinking what would be a fun little picture?

So I decided to make something not too obvious, but an image that would be hard to get in real life.

This was really quite simple......three images. cut-out

                     then blended into one using the eraser brush

        here are the three images.                                

This one is pretty obvious. Eagles are easily spotted

Trout on the other hand can be a little tough to locate

Finished Image I call "Hanson's Afternoon"

.

Photoshop 3D pop-out

3D pop-out

Blue lightning Tv

Do you ever get bored and want to try something new? 

well have a got a spot for you Blue lightning tv There are many Photoshop tips and tricks at this site.
            This is one of my favorites from the list

                                                        This is the image I made 

From this

Hidden room downstairs

I ventured downstairs the other day, and found this hidden room. This place looks like some sort of torture chamber. Nice buck on the wall.

                                                                         

What the heck is that cage looking thing. Kinda look's like the rack of pain

video

Video with Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa

I really like this video.

 Beth Hart sure has a set of lungs in her, and Joe is no slouch on the guitar.

I heard about this video. To me it as much about kayaking as it is filmmaking. It is amazing what it takes to get the video footage.

"Click Here for video"

I really like watching this video.

Every spring I watch this video. It's my little pre-river pep rally. What I like the most is, when I watch it, I key in on the paddlers technique.Then when I get on the river. I get this video running through my head. It helps me navigate the river....Whatever works I guess. The music is from a band called Alabama shakes.........Enjoy!

Pyranha Burn 3 promo video "click Here"

Alabama shakes on SNL

Introduction

About Michael Borchardt

Mike

Hello this is my first blog. The purpose of this blog is for me to keep my work's, tips, tricks and basic fun stuff all in one place. So welcome to my blog. I hope you find it interesting. And of course I always encourage constructive criticism.