Project 16: Extending an Image
In this project, the goal is to increase the canvas size by 10% on one edge and then photo-realistically extend the existing image to fill in that space by using the clone tool.
I decided to put a little bit of a spin on this one - literally. I like the original image, but I also felt that it would look a little bit better if it were leveled out. So before increasing the canvas size, I duplicated the background layer (which I do anyway, so I can go back to or compare it to the original if I want to). Then I anchored the image top-center and increased the height of the image by 10%, in order make it add the extra space to the bottom of the frame. I then rotated the layer until I was happy with the new angle, duplicated it again (so I could go back to it if I wanted to). That layer was the one that I worked with most.
Because of the rotation, I also needed to fill in the slight gaps in the corners and along the other 3 sides of the image. This was really easy to do. Have I mentioned that I love the way that CS4 allows you to preview the clone you're about to make? This is an absolute godsend. What it wasn't helping me with, however, was the curving road at the bottom. I had no problems cloning the area, but wanted to continue the curvature of the road naturally.
I consulted with a friend of mine on the matter, who gave me some really great pointers. The most important of which being to clone into a blank layer, which I could then rotate/stretch as needed to give it a continuous feel. This was a critical turning point in my project - no pun intended. For the benefit of those who haven't heard of doing this in Photoshop, simply create an empty layer and move it to the top. with it selected and the clone tool active, simply change the option in the drop-down box for the "Sample" tool settings to "All Layers". Then the clone will include the entire merged image. I used this method to clone the lines in the road, then stretched and rotated them to work with what was already there. I did the same with the curb on the side of the road. When that was finished, filling in the rest of the road and the grassy patch on the side was quick work. Here are the results:
I decided to put a little bit of a spin on this one - literally. I like the original image, but I also felt that it would look a little bit better if it were leveled out. So before increasing the canvas size, I duplicated the background layer (which I do anyway, so I can go back to or compare it to the original if I want to). Then I anchored the image top-center and increased the height of the image by 10%, in order make it add the extra space to the bottom of the frame. I then rotated the layer until I was happy with the new angle, duplicated it again (so I could go back to it if I wanted to). That layer was the one that I worked with most.
Because of the rotation, I also needed to fill in the slight gaps in the corners and along the other 3 sides of the image. This was really easy to do. Have I mentioned that I love the way that CS4 allows you to preview the clone you're about to make? This is an absolute godsend. What it wasn't helping me with, however, was the curving road at the bottom. I had no problems cloning the area, but wanted to continue the curvature of the road naturally.
I consulted with a friend of mine on the matter, who gave me some really great pointers. The most important of which being to clone into a blank layer, which I could then rotate/stretch as needed to give it a continuous feel. This was a critical turning point in my project - no pun intended. For the benefit of those who haven't heard of doing this in Photoshop, simply create an empty layer and move it to the top. with it selected and the clone tool active, simply change the option in the drop-down box for the "Sample" tool settings to "All Layers". Then the clone will include the entire merged image. I used this method to clone the lines in the road, then stretched and rotated them to work with what was already there. I did the same with the curb on the side of the road. When that was finished, filling in the rest of the road and the grassy patch on the side was quick work. Here are the results:
