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15 Examples of Split Toning in Photography – Reviving Old Memories

Charlie B. Johnson — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:32:01 +0000

With respect to photography, the term toning is a technique of transforming a monochrome photograph (usually black and white) to color form. This method has originally transported from the world of cinematography. But after being adopted in the digital graphic design world, the term split toning has evolved and gained more prominence.

• Origins of Split Toning:

Decades ago, our ancestors were exposed to only black and white film and photography as there was no other technology to capture color effects. But in the mid 19th century, hand-colored film processes were developed and many epic films and cartoons were re-created and re-distributed in color mode.

A famous example is the Three Stooges Movie that was colorized and re-distributed.

• How Does Split Toning Work?

The split toning used in photography these days, is relatively different from general method of toning. Firstly, it is done through digital software like Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. Secondly, it is not restricted to a particular tint of color. You can use split toning to add any tint of color to the black and white photography.

But the digital effects are not limited to photography. Even graphic designers should learn how to perform split toning as it may help in their endeavors. For those who have Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, there is a default option of “Split Toning” that makes life easier.

However, for new Photoshop users, here is a simple step-by-step tutorial on how to use split toning on Adobe Photoshop:

1. Select a black and white image. If you select a colored image, make sure to convert it into black and white format by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Shift + B.
2. Now add a color balance adjustment layer that will be used to create the split toning effect.
3. Use the color balance tool to modify the shadows, midtones, and highlights. We will be working with only the shadows and highlights
4. Once you have adjusted the shadows and highlights of the image to your desire, add a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer.
5. The final step of adding contrast or brightness is optional and solely relies on how you want the final image to look like. If you choose to do so, add a brightness/contrast adjustment layer and make the final adjustments.

• Creative Examples of Split Toning Photography:

Train Station

Old Nikon

Wooden Bench

Black Beauty

Vertorama!!

Chess

Last Rays of Sunlight

Hazy Tracks

Rise in the Sky

Can the Kitty come

Step by Step

Headstone

Movement or Moment

Train Track

The Path

If you possess your own creation of split toning photos where you tried restoring old pics using this unique effect, do share them with us.

28 New Cinemagraphs Worth Staring At – The Sequel!!

Charlie B. Johnson — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:47:34 +0000

A few months back, I did a post on moving cinemagraphs, an entirely unusual yet exciting addition to the field of motion graphics. A cinemagraph provides the effects of a video within a GIF image. For those who don’t recall, Jamie Beck (Fashion Photographer) introduced cinemagraphs, in conjunction with Kevin Burg (Motion Graphics Designer).

As graphic designers, we should always be eager to learn about the latest developments related to our field. The concept of cinemagraphy is to animate some parts of the image while leaving the rest motionless. A good number cinemagraphs animate somewhat similar objects like fire burning, hair blowing, and vehicles in motion. Lately, I stumbled upon 28 new and fresh cinemagraphs that I wished to do a sequel post.

Let me remind my readers that these cinemagraphs will take some time to load. So, be patient because you will find them worth staring at.

Cinemagraphs 1

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Cinemagraphs 28

22 Moving Cinemagraphs – Give it a Stare!!

Charlie B. Johnson — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 11:50:47 +0000

Being a graphic designer, I have been an avid follower of new developments and techniques in graphic design. However, there is one advancement that has always enthralled me…animations and motion graphics and lately I stumbled upon a unique technique that left me mesmerized. After gazing those pictures for quite some time, I pondered to myself…are these images or videos? No it’s a cinemagraph. For those who are unaware of this terminology, let me tell that it’s a sophisticated and refined version of creating animated GIF’s.

Cinemagraph is a technique of blending the effects of images and videos. It was introduced by a New York fashion photographer Jamie Beck, in collaboration with motion graphics designer Kevin Burg. Since then, many other designers have created similar forms of cinemagraphs. However, I found some very exciting, funny and extremely creative cinemagraphs here and decided to exhibit them for you guys.

Some of these 22 cinemagraphs will take time to load, so be patient and watch each of them carefully….you will really enjoy them.

Cinemagraphs 1

Cinemagraphs 2

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30 Enjoyable Out Of Bounds Photos – Outstanding!!!

Charlie B. Johnson — Thu, 19 May 2011 12:29:51 +0000

By combining the techniques of Photography and tools of Photoshop, you can create simply any illustration conceivable. As a graphic designer, I am always eager to learn new and innovative techniques in artwork and graphic design. Lately I stumbled upon a fascinating technique of processing photos called Out of Bounds (OOB) Photos.

Out of bounds (OOB) pictures are processed photos in which the contents are placed outside the edges of the frame. It gives a creative 3-D vision perspective to the picture. OOB photos can be created with a little basic Photoshop manipulation. The creation of an OOB photo depends mainly on the perspective and photo angle of the image.

Today, I present to you 30 of the most outstanding photos that exhibit the Out of Bounds (OOB) technique.

Out Of Bounds Photo 1

Out Of Bounds Photo 2

Out Of Bounds Photo 3

Out Of Bounds Photo 4

Out Of Bounds Photo 5

Out Of Bounds Photo 6

Out Of Bounds Photo 7

Out Of Bounds Photo 8

Out Of Bounds Photo 9

Out Of Bounds Photo 10

Out Of Bounds Photo 11

Out Of Bounds Photo 12

Out Of Bounds Photo 13

Out Of Bounds Photo 14

Out Of Bounds Photo 15

Out Of Bounds Photo 16

Out Of Bounds Photo 17

Out Of Bounds Photo 18

Out Of Bounds Photo 19

Out Of Bounds Photo 20

Out Of Bounds Photo 21

Out Of Bounds Photo 22

Out Of Bounds Photo 23

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Out Of Bounds Photo 29

Out Of Bounds Photo 30

“War on Terror” Photography – Has it really Ended?

Charlie B. Johnson — Wed, 04 May 2011 11:58:27 +0000

It has been nearly a decade since the tragic 9/11 incident took place in the heart of the New York City in 2001. Since then, the US and its allies have embarked on a journey to wipe out all miscreants and militant organizations like Al-Qaeda and Taliban from the face of the Earth. But the mission dubbed “War on Terror” which has cost over $1.283 trillion to the American exchequer. In addition to that, the loss of precious American lives is incalculable.

Although being a graphic designer, I’m not really a political kind of a guy. But at the same time I am an American patriot and my heart stretches out to our US soldiers who have laid their lives in fighting the terrorist insurgency. Over thousands of American casualties have been reported in the War on Terror and it really breaks my heart to see the count increasing by the day. All I think of is…“When will it end?”

In memory of the brave and courageous US soldiers who have laid down their lives to protect ours, I have amassed a collection of heartbreaking pictures that recollect the memories of the 9/11 fiasco and the wars that followed thereafter.

9/11 – Where it all started!

The Falling Man:

An unidentified man jumps headfirst from the north tower of World Trade Center after it was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001.

WTC Collapse:

The south tower of New York’s World Trade Center collapses Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001

Bird’s Eye View:

A bird’s eye view on shows the devastated World Trade Center building after it collapsed on Sept. 11 terrorist attack.

Flaming Wreckage:

The twin towers of World Trade Center are ablaze after two planes attacked on September 11th.

Extinguishing the Fire:

Firefighters try to extinguish the fires that grew from debris of the World Trade Center.

Ground Zero:

Firemen walk past the debris of the World Trade Center as work is in progress at Ground Zero.

Crack of Dawn:

The sun rises and shows over the ruins of the World Trade Center on September 15, 2001.

Terror Strikes:

A plane is heading towards the tower of World Trade Center, as the second tower is already ablaze.

Burning Flames:

The twin towers burn in flames as two planes struck the World Trade Center.

Innocent Death:

Mychal F. Judge is carried away on a stretcher after being recovered from the debris of World Trade Centre.

Where it took us – Decade of War!

Refueling the Jet:

U.S Air Refueling Squadron prepares to refill an E-3 Warning and Control System (AWACS) flying over Afghanistan.

Injured in Battle:

An Afghan National Security member is injured in the battle as his compatriot tries to bring him to safety.

Patrolling for terrorists:

A US army marine roams in the streets of Kabul, as Afghanistan in under siege of Taliban.

Deployment in Progress:

U.S. Marines deploy from a Black Hawk helicopter in Zabul province of Afghanistan.

Aiming the Target:

A US soldier points his 50 caliber machine gun in the direction of an Afghan village.

Heavy Arsenal:

US army soldiers load their artillery in the Kunar Province of Afghanistan.

Fire on Target:

Artillerymen shoot a 155mm Howitzer at a Taliban position from Camp Blessing in the Kunar Province of eastern Afghanistan

Blazing Mountains:

U.S. Army shells blow up on alleged Taliban locations in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan.

Hunting for Terrorists:

U.S. Marines examine a house for Taliban insurgents in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan.

The Martyrdom:

Hassan Naqvi grieves near the coffin of his brother Mohsin Naqvi at al-Fatima Islamic Center in New York.

Has the War Really Ended?

After the announcement of Osama Bin Laden’s death made by President Barrack Obama, do you think that the war on terror has ended?

18 Hilarious Food-Inspired Hollywood Posters – Hot and Spicy!

Charlie B. Johnson — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 11:47:46 +0000

Being a graphic designer is both rewarding and entertaining. When you master the tools of the trade, you can also use them in your leisure time. Many graphic design tools like Photoshop, Corel Draw, Freehand and Illustrator are a blessing as well as a means of entertainment for graphic designers. If you have ever laid a hand on any of these softwares, then you must be familiar with the concept of Photoshop manipulation. It is a technique of editing image in order to create a delusionary effect on the audience.

Recently, I came across a hillarious collection of Hollywood posters at imgcrunch.com it displays some of the blockbuster Hollywood movies and their posters inspired by foodstuff. Since, we all love watching movies while enjoying a snack or junk stuff, these posters make perfect sense.

Being a real foodie, I simply loved these images …now your turn to enjoy

Friday the 13th ——» (Birthday the 13th)

"You wish you were never born on a Friday"

Harry Potter ——» (Curry potter)

"The rebellion begins"

Dawn of the Dead ——» (Dawn of the Bread)

"When there is no more room in the oven, the Bread will walk the Earth"

Die Hard ——» (Diet Hard)

"12 terrorists…One cop…The odds are against John McClane…That’s just the way he likes it."

Finding Nemo ——» (Frying Nemo)

"There are 187 ways to prepare a fish…they’re looking for the tastiest one."

The Godfather ——» (The Godfather)

"I’m gonna make him spaghetti he won’t refuse"

I am Legend ——» (I am Hungry)

"The Last Man On Earth Still Has To Eat"

Inglorious Bastards ——» (Inglorious Bagels)

"Once upon a time in Nazi occupied France"

Scream ——» (I-Scream 4)

"New Decade. New Rules. New Flavors"

Jurassic Park ——» (Jurassic Pork)

"A Sausage. 65 Million years in the making"

The Kings’ Speech ——» (The Kings’ Peach)

"The perfect blend of sweet and juicy. The film will leave you feeling satisfied."

Lord of the Rings ——» (Lord of the Onion Rings)

"The two towers of grease"

SpiderMan 3 ——» (Pizza man 3)

"You friendly neighborhood Pizza Man"

Ice Age ——» (Rice Age)

"This time you are not the food!"

Superman Returns ——» (Supperman Returns)

"With a new variety of tasty dishes"

The Fly ——» (The Fry)

"Be Afraid. Be very afraid and disturbingly hungry."

The Mummy ——» (The Yummy)

"The sands will rise. The heavens will part. The sundae will be unleashed"

X-Men Wolverine ——» (X-Men Wolverine)

"Origins of the Shashlik"

Which of these food-inspired Hollywood posters did you enjoy the most?