Merger Photo

Merger photo, looks like this:

To make this photo, you will take at least 5 images (you can take as many as you want, as long as you are careful, usually 7 or 8 is about all you can get) of the exact same background, but you will have to physically move around in each image. As you can see above this student took 5 photos and moved from left to right across the background as she went.

Students have done a variety of things through the years of doing this assignment, from spelling out words with their arms (think YMCA), to writing words on a paper and showing a different word in each photo. Also, you should think about how you can position yourself besides across the plane of the photo, think about height and depth as well.

In a blog called Merger Photo, please answer the following questions.

1. Is there something you see in the photo above that you think could be a problem when you take your photos? Look carefully.

2. Where do you think would be a great place to take this type of picture here on the Bowie campus?

3. Can you think of something creative to actually DO in the photo when you take yours?

4. Is there something you could wear that would help you when you do this photo?

Steps to follow during Merger Photo Shoot:

Select a partner. 

Pre-plan with your partner. What are you going to do in each photo? 

Beware of shadows! 

Make sure the camera does not move between each photo. Even a slight jiggle of the camera can throw it off. 

Your merger photo must include at least five different poses.

Merger Photo Photoshop/Submission Directions

SETTING UP LAYERS:

Open each of the photos that you want to merge in Photoshop.

ONE AT A TIME, separate the photos from the bar on top

Starting with the second photo, drag the Background Layer to the first photo. 

Then go to the third photo, drag the Background Layer to the first photo. 

Then go to the fourth photo, drag the Background Layer to the first photo. 

Then go to the fifth photo, drag the Background Layer to the first photo.

USING LAYERS and ERASER TOOL: 

Once you have combined all four layers onto one photo you are ready to begin erasing the background.

Select the Eraser Tool from the Toolbar 

Click on Layer 4 (or the last layer you added to your image) 

Using the Eraser tool, look for the position of your subject on Layer 3 (or the second to last layer you added) and begin to erase where the subject is positioned. YOU SHOULD SEE THE SUBJECT SHOW UP. Erase the entire background fully EXCEPT the original subject.

NEXT, using the Eraser tool ON LAYER 3, you should erase in the area where the subject is on Layer 1 as well as the Background Layer. YOU HAVE TO ERASE THROUGH ALL THREE, R FOUR OR FIVE LAYERS (depending on how many you have) TO SEE ALL FIVE OF THE SUBJECTS IN ONE IMAGE.

NEXT, when you are finished erasing ON LAYER 3, you should erase in the area where the subject is ON LAYER 2. 

Repeat this process until you have finished with all of the layers and you don't see any problems with LIGHTING or ALIGNMENT. 

POSTING DIRECTIONS: 

YOU CANNOT POST A PHOTOSHOP (or .psd) format file to Blogger. You must save your final product as a JPG format. Before you can save your file as JPG, you must FLATTEN your PSD file.
TO FLATTEN: Click on LAYER at the top of your Photoshop Menu Bar and then click on FLATTEN IMAGE.

Save your final product as a JPG with the following format for the name: LastName_FirstName_Merger.jpg. MAKE SURE YOU ARE SAVING AS A JPG FORMAT. 

When you are done POST YOUR MERGER PHOTO on your blog.

GOOD LUCK!