Have You Ever Tried the Beautiful Image Stitching Services?

Combination of a number of photographic images in order to make a high-resolution image or segmented panorama with the help of overlapping fields is known as image stitching. This is how large profile can be created after clicking beautiful pictures.

This process is usually performed with the assistance of a complex edit program. In a quest to obtain seamless results, it is essential to stitch an image with exact overlaps along with exposures that are identical. Once this is achieved, the final outcome would be absolutely flawless. With technology reaching new heights, digital cameras are available today that have the ability to stitch an image internally. 

There are three important components associated with the process of image stitching.

Image Registration

While carrying out the process of image stitching, the editor should ensure that there is minimum difference between overlapping pixels. In order to achieve this, it is important to first identify matching features in different images. This can be done with the help of direct alignment methods. Ideally, the expert working on the image should calibrate images so as to obtain better results. Additional efforts should be taken to ensure that matching features are identified between images. There are cases wherein there are minute groups of features that match and hence tools that can identify accurately should be made use of. The comparison is not only accurate, but faster as well. Reputed image stitching services tend to use the most effective tools and hence are able to come up with the best results.

Image Calibration

It is essential to minimize the difference between the camera lens combination and ideal lens models including exposure, distortions, and chromatic aberrations and vignetting. This can be achieved with the help of Image calibration. To stitch more than one image, it is important to know the exact positioning of the features involved in an image. Hence, recording and saving the positioning of features in images becomes a vital process. Once the positioning is saved and available, images are placed on the panosphere.

Image Blending

The adjustments that are identified during the calibration stage need to be executed in a near perfect manner. Image blending is the process wherein this execution takes place. During this stage, remapping of images takes place. Lot of work is done in order to get the color combination right which further minimizes the difference between exposures of images that are to be stitched together. In some cases, use of high dynamic range is also encouraged. This is a process which helps obtain near accurate merging of different images. However, only stitching images together is not enough. Once stitching is complete, it is important to minimize the visibility of the seams that tend to occur between images. Seams not minimized would clearly indicate to the fact that the images have been merged together. Hence, seamline adjustment process is carried out at the end to ensure that seams are not visible.

Panorama Tools, Panorama maker, Autostitch, Ptgui and Hugin are some of the dedicated programs that carry out image stitching services. Image stitching is regarded as one of the most complex aspects involved in photo editing. As an aspiring editing expert, learning the art of merging different images and making it look one is indeed important.

Create an Extensive Vista Using Photo Stitching

Panoramic image is a combination of two or more images in order to produce a wholesome representation. There are various variants for panoramas; flat (partial), cylindrical (180 degrees) and spherical (360 X 180 degrees).

To create an extensive vista using photo stitching an editor works out the blueprint in advance. There are few pre requisites before the right software is used. Today there is a choice of using this application with any operating system-Apple or Windows. In addition it will be convenient if it complies with camera model and the right lens.

To create the right pictorial graph can be a challenge. The digital camera can take a number of pictures that can be used in the stitching process. Many editors like to use the adobe Photoshop elements to do this work. The menu has the file/automate and the photo merge in-built in its program. Just because it is automated one cannot assume that it is a cakewalk. Some amount of manual retouching will also be required to make the vista look impressive and natural. And therein lays the key to the job. The editor needs to first pick the shots that will be required for the creation. A background layer is made to start the edit. It is important to know this background, which will support the photo stitching in one uniform style. At times during the stitching process the background may look a little short. It can be stretched further to accommodate the new pictures. It will not affect the process that has been done previously. As a part of the continuing process ensure that the vertical and horizontal levels are stretched in proportion. This is the reason why the photos clicked need to be of the same varying lengths for stitching.

When many photos are involved, and layer masking is done half way through the work the editor will need to make a .PDS file. The opacity also will have to be reduced to half at this stage. It will help in retaining the rest of the Jpeg files in the editing phase. When the transparent layer is adjusted on the existing photos, use only the matching background. Make adjustments to fit the background and the other elements in the frame. The layer mask is then used to cover the stitching and hide the overlapping of the other additional pictures.

Depending on the kind of vista or panorama to be made the editor can use flat (partial), cylindrical (180 degrees) and spherical (360 X 180 degrees). Both Windows and Mac have options for doing this with the right software. A right matrix of photos will develop the entire picture. Photo stitching is an important service that is provided by editing firms. Many real estate clients like to have a better profile view of the landscape where they wish to set up factories, homes or industries. Today with the help of digital cameras the entire process is easier. Taking a set of uniform pictures of the required area at a particular time of the day a good vista can be created. Photo stitching is one service that involves the professional expertise of the shutterbug with that of a skilled editor. Both have to be proficient in their craft to make it happen. 

Digital Manipulation - Designer Techniques

Digital manipulation means skillful touches of the designer on an image to it make more attractive.  There are various techniques practiced by designer to make their work very apt and justified.

Digital manipulations are done on an image in order to increase or decrease any entity, so that the picture looks elegant. The designer has got a tricky job to be done, because the content and the context of the image should not be disturbed, however, he has to find out other portions in the image to be worked upon.  Here we go finding out the techniques implemented by designers for digital manipulations.

Color Combustion: It is a technique that increases the thirst of a designer. The colors to be added are infinite. Not only colors, but as many as images can be cropped from original added into the color combusted image. This is a most sought out technique made by designers to represent lot if information in a single image.

Photo Cutouts: Photo cutout is basically used to remove unwanted entities in the image. Not everything can be controlled in the frame of the photo. Such things that were captured in the snap without necessity can be cropped out and the image can be cleansed.

Recreation of Historical images: This is a recent usage of digital manipulations developments. Old snaps that are distorted by time can be reinstated. The color swatches available in image editing tools can be used in this case. Adding colors, hue and saturation to the old image can give a renewed look.

Lighting Effects: There are various lighting effects that can incorporated into an image. The lighting introduced into an image will change the mood of the visual. Appropriate lightings can add beautiful effects to the image. It can also shed the focus to a portion of the image.

Masking: Masking is a technique in which an object in the image can be hidden partially or fully. The objects can be made transparent and their opacity can be controlled. This effect can make beautiful background settings in an image.

Vectoring: Vectoring of images can make them really abstract looking.  Pen tool is used extensively while vectoring an image. Vectored image is very handy when comes to stretching the length and breadth. The quality of the image will not be compromised in vector graphic images.

Distortion: Distortion is an image property in which the center of the image is found good, whereas the outer part of the images is shattered looking. Such effects can make for fantasy and abstract images.

Sharpen: Sharpen the image is done to increase the contrast of the desired portion of the photo. Technically, no new details is created, instead the pixel of the sharpened and the rest is compared and the contrast is adjusted accordingly. The final result is that the sharpened portion will be eye catching.

Rendering: Rendering is a course of creating an image out of a model. There are various algorithms to create such images. Rendering is used in 2D as well as 3D image editing tools.

These are just tip of the iceberg. Such is the volume of image editing techniques available now in the market for free and for license. It is up to the need and the available cost software can be used for digital manipulation.

Cropping a Picture without Losing Pixels

Pictures can be cropped to remove unwanted objects from an image. This at times leads to a loss of pixels resulting in poor image resolution. It spoils the aura of the originally expected image. Photo editing tools can take care of the loss of pixels due to the “crop”.

There are some photos, which might have unwanted parts or people that are either not needed or might spoil the overall exuberance of a photo. Such pictures can be cropped in order to retain only those parts, which are truly important. Cropping a picture, however, might weaken the resolution of the picture. This loss of pixels results in a poor quality of the image and might not be even close to the look and feel of the original. This drawback of cropping picture can be eradicated with the help of photo editing software.

Losing pixels is a big hindrance in retaining the quality of an image. It might serve the purpose of removing the redundant parts of an image. It may even help in stamping out unwanted objects or even people but it may weaken the picture quality by losing pixels. Cropping a picture without losing pixels can be accomplished with the deployment of the tools offered by photo editor software. The high handedness and vast experience of the photo-editing experts can be used to retain the quality of a picture even after cropping.

One might want to crop a picture and then resize it only to realize that the picture has turned blurry and does not serve the purpose as was expected looking at the composition of the real image. This is disheartening and needs a remedy. The use of photo editing can help to crop a picture without losing pixels. Resolution of an image is a very important parameter that harps on image quality. Cropping defects that result in losing pixels are greatly taken care of by the use of photo enhancement tools.

The need to narrow down an image can be accomplished either by resizing the picture or by cropping it. The aberration in the image quality by resizing can be removed by adjusting the aspect ratio in exactitude of the aspect ratio of the original picture. Cropping simply removes extra parts without giving a squishing effect. However one problem with the use of cropping is that if a person wants to resize a cropped image it results in the loss of pixels, which hampers the picture quality immensely. The photo enhancement tools can help in taking care of the image quality. The photo editors contain tools to remove flaws due to resizing as well as cropping.

If there are a bunch of photos that need to be cropped then photo editor tools can be used to crop them and then give them requisite shape and size while maintaining the resolution keeping in mind the image quality of the original photo. The creative mindsets and expertise of photo editor can help in taking care of defects that arise from cropping a picture. They not only provide a remedy for the loss of pixels due to cropping but also take care of other flaws, which were not apparent. It is significant that the image resolution remains intact no matter what photo editing is applied to an image.

Can a Picture Clipping Be Converted to an EPS Format?

The hardest thing an editor faces is that once he has painstakingly worked on the clipping path process and got the final result he is unable to convert it to an eps file. It’s like kicking the elephant forward but the tail is stuck for good! 

When an edited picture refuses to budge from the editing table, it can prove to be a frustrating experience. Ask any editor; he may have faced this problem often in his early days of working as a clipping path specialist.  If you are already familiar with the difference between the clipping path and clipping mask, then we can just move on to the main theme-converting the picture to the desirable format. Now this refers to Photoshop files that can easily be imported to the Illustrator. If like this professional editor you are using the X Pro, Photoshop software 7 and Illustrator No.9 then this information can be really useful.

Why does this confusion happen at all in the first place? Clients give their pictures in Jpeg, Bitmap, TIF or any format. They are really not very literate when it comes to choosing the format and how they should send it to the editor. The editor knows in what format it comes and if it needs picture clipping. This actually sets the tone for the work. He also has to keep in mind what software to use for editing and the operating system of the computer. Probably a Mac user will have to follow different instructions compared to an X pro user. There is other software apart from Photoshop. If an editor works on Illustrator, the game changes. Hence, even if he sails through the editing in a jiffy, he is stuck while converting the file, which is the last thing to do when it needs to be sent to the client.

Why is EPS a more accepted format after picture clipping? It is open-ended and allows provision for further edits if the client needs some last minute changes. All over the world, this format is acceptable in all internet-related images, digital media work, e-commerce and websites.

And now for the conversion-If an editor works on the Illustrator he may run into rough weather if a bitmap picture needs transparency. A .psd file in Illustrator that is troubling and needs immediate attention.  Instead of the picture all he gets is a white silhouette. The foggy white mask covers the final edit. He needs to remove it otherwise the entire picture clipping is rendered useless. There are only two choices for him-to use a clipping path or a clipping mask. If the picture has the hard edge then a ‘path’ is sketched. A pen tool is fine for the same. The final picture has an outline, which needs to be concealed with a mask. This means once the outline is masked, all the stuff outside the ‘path’ will be transparent when it is being imported to the Illustrator. When the outline has been done, choose clipping path from the pop out menu. Ensure that this menu says it is a clipping path and you have not chosen anything else from the palette! As you see the indication simply save the picture as an EPS file.

TIP: Use the pen tool in Illustrator to make a clipping path with the picture behind it.

Reflection Shadow - Interpreting Photos More Easily!

Reflection shadow is one more extension of making an image multi-dimensional. It adds depth to the main object. It can also create an illusion of expansion and vastness in a small space. Used in imaging during post processing, it rustles up wonderful visuals.

No matter where one goes, the shadow follows and so does a reflection if there is any. If children play with shadow, the elders are but concerned about the reflection. It makes one realize who the person one is. In a way it is a way one keeps touch with reality. The same holds true for images as well. When bereft of reflection and shadow, it loses touch with reality. It fails to generate the viewer’s interest. But with reflection and shadow viewers can hardly take their eyes off from the image. Digital photo manipulation software has made it easier to take the images to the next level where they are close to reality. The 3D interpretation is but one of revolutionizing step.

 The idea is to create an illusion. With Photoshop becoming so ubiquitous, many users try the effect on many kinds of editing projects. But for starters, it is very natural to make some mistakes while doing it without realizing it. But the same cannot be said about the online galleries of e-commerce customers. Here, even simple mistakes may evoke embarrassment or reduced buyers. It is a grim prospect for virtual business. The idea is to create a very strong visual impact something as strong as the physical tracks. If one succeeds in doing so, the products won’t take long before they fly off the shelves.

Reflection and shadow are two different effects. They can be applied together or individually. The choice should be aesthetically made. As said earlier, the aim is to create a visual effect. So, it is important to judge the kind of visual effects, which is best, suited. The shadow is a grey shape, which is placed beneath the image. But that is a very basic approach to shadows. In actuality, experienced editors are doing so much with the shadow effect. Be it the shape, color, position and the impact, their innovations always bring up something new. In fact, viewers are now accustomed to seeing shadow effects on most products they want to buy. They are attracted if they find some twist in it.

The much-coveted twist can be reflection shadow for the buyer. As the name suggests, it is kind of digital effects, which has the impact of both reflection and shadow. It needs special expertise to club the two effects in proper manner. It must be noted that both work the best against white or light colored background. The correct positioning of the two, earns the image its credentials. Though it is simple software guided task, but there is always risk of overdoing the effect. Further, this kind of effect suits only selective images.

Why just be limited with images? The reflection shadow can be applied to texts as well. Texts do not only convey messages, they can also be used as medium of visual appeal. Applying the reflection shadow to texts is not same. In case of texts, the effect has to be introduced separately for each letter. Creating reflection for some is letters is simpler than other. It is easy for ‘T’ but the same for ‘Y’ needs a special attention.  Further, the effects should match with each other when the letters are placed one after another.

Mask Photos by Removing the Unwanted Objects

Photoshop provides many techniques to hide/remove unwanted backgrounds, make objects stand out from their background, emphasize certain details of a photo, helps separate out the object from its inconsistent background. Image masking is the most potent way to remove unwanted objects.

Imagine that there is a photo of a ring that has been captured by a digital camera. It has no background to emphasis its quality. This photo is to be presented over a grassy background for freshness and depicting naturalness. Can it be done and if yes, how is it possible? One way of doing it would be to erase a part of the ring. But, this method does not suit the requirement. Another way is to copy a part of the leaf to another layer over the ring layer. This method too is ruled out, as it does not meet the requirements. The third and the most useful method are masking the photo. In this method, a part of the ring that is supposed to be under the stem is prevented from appearing. Masking is one of the most commonly used elements in Photoshop. It hides any unwanted objects or simply removing them. Hiding the unwanted portion means that this part may be needed elsewhere. So instead of destroying it is masked. This application is a practical choice for graphic content and pictures, which are complex.

The benefit of this method is that this technique allows to get rid of a part of the layer while still retaining the possibility of editing the result. It does the work of removing the unwanted objects without disturbing the main focus of the picture. In effect, it does nothing but masks the part, which is not required. It appears to be erased, while it still exists. It is a lower version of the Quick Mask tool available in Photoshop. But the latter is less time consuming. Going back, to the picture in the above example, Magic Wand tool is used to select the white background, in order to get the ring. Then, pressing selection/invert selection, using right clicks and using layer via copy, the newly made layer with the ring is then copied onto the picture of the grass. In Photoshop, in order to earmark the layer that is to be hidden, click on the icon 1 marked in the image to make a mask for covering the unwanted object.

The many essential reasons to mask complex set of photos provide the following assistance:

• When swathes of picture content need not be destroyed masking it is favorable.
• If in the vector format-they are 100% expandable and provide gray scales.
• To mask photos other additional tools like adjustment and filters also come handy.
• The final result is crisp. Even if there are multiple masks it does not show visible signs of editing.
• Masking permits the elevation of the editing, as it is an integral part of vector artwork.
• Many layers can be saved simultaneously without being destroyed.

When editors do masking of areas they ensure that nothing is lost not matter what complex procedure they use. Adding a background or changing it, making additions to it is a tedious process. Masking photos can be as easy as altering the color scheme or adding layers. Even channel masks are workable. It is a potent exercise for developing good results.

Knockout Background for Aesthetically Enhanced Images With the Pen Tool

Value added services are the name of the game for photo editing companies today who wish to keep themselves in the forefront of existing competition. Tools for knockout background are many but none like the versatile pen tool.

With the advent of the digital age, image improvisation techniques gained a lot of popularity. This popularity stemmed from the fact that new techniques of image manipulation could now be used with Photoshop software. Photo editing as a business stands on the two pillars of advanced software and editing knowledge. Improvisation counts in this business, which runs on the skill and knowledge level of the graphic designer. Knocking out background is one of the common requirements of a client. This is done in order to improve the appearance of the image, once it has been clicked. An attractive background goes a long way in enhancing the final effect of an image. The client may require a certain background of a particular nature that may be going with the message that is to be portrayed in the image. Take the example of a rose in full bloom in a garden full of greenery. Here, it is necessary to purge the background in order to enhance the appearance of the red rose. A skilful graphic artist who knows what is to be done would use the mighty pen tool provided by Photoshop in order to do this. This tool will cut the unwanted detail and create a new background, thus enhancing the view of the rose in full bloom. There are other subjects also that can be recreated with the knockout background process for aesthetic images.

Skilful graphic artists who are well aware of what is to be done in order to fulfil the requirement carve digital masterpieces out. The use of tools like background eraser, most editors prominently do channel mask and lasso tool in order to do their work. But, to knockout background, the edgy, sharp pen tool works the best. Merely, knowing how to use the pen tool is not sufficient to optimize its use. A skilful graphic artist who has a calm and steady hand and who has a knack of painting with a paintbrush will only exploit the whole functionality of the pen tool. Only that artist will be able to maximize the potential of this pen tool provided by Photoshop.

Another approach would be to place the points of the path around the picture element and then modifying the curves. Artists who are enamoured with symmetry in images invariably follow this approach. The magnetic pen is another tool, which provides a good option for knocking background. On finalization of the path, the objects are then converted into a selection. The final selection can be done by the “drag and drop” move of the pen, where the path is dragged onto the “make selection” button on the palette. Once, this is accomplished, a selection set adorns the image element. This is how knockout background can be done in an image.

For photo editing companies that are online and need to do urgent work for clients, knockout background is an excellent service. Experienced professionals capable of combining this solution with the latest wares are always in demand for this work.

Combining Tools and Techniques for Photo Retouching

Ever since digital imaging was introduced, photo retouching has been used for various purposes. Whether the pictures are old or have just been shot, they reach the photo editor’s desk. There is nothing morally wrong in the process. Not only the tools but the techniques also go a long way in the final result.

While the same tools are available to all editors in an online studio, few come out with flying colors. So what sets them apart? Their understanding of the technique is often cited as the main reason. And this comes only with years of experience. So photo retouching isn’t bad and can be of a good quality too. When a bulk order comes, it may not be necessary that each image needs the same kind of retouching. Some of the ways that are being used these days are setting lights, controlling folders, bright eye retouch, skin retouching (very popular), aligning layers, controlling paleness and over exposure etc. An editor takes one look and knows what has to be done.

Often photographers take shots and the editor of a print magazine would like to change the landscape behind. How often photo retouching involves background removal. Definite use of the right colors and shades can make the retouch technique unique. This is one way one editor may have an edge over his rival. There are several tutorials on removal of background that can be studied at leisure. It can be bookmarked as reference for future photo retouching when needed. Backgrounds changes are often are the best ways to create a dual visual impact when the image is printed. Many print magazines have simultaneous online editions. This calls for sharper use of photo retouching methods. The print version might have a different quality then the web version.

When the editor also has to consider the online presentation then photo retouching has to be more sensitive. Hence some images may require the folder control. Some images may require demanding and definite changes. If there are many layers then expanding the folders may be needed. Both versions may require different techniques; however the tools may just is the same! In newly shot pictures, when photo retouching is done, it also changes the gradient ration. Paying attention to this facet can help the editing process. There are many color patches that can be scanned before using. The layers can be adjusted accordingly then. Where this can be used? Perhaps when a color shot needs a sepia tone or a vintage look, while the rest of the composition is in color. It has a pretty dramatic effect. So there is really nothing wrong in photo retouching. It only adds to the quality to the overall look.

Several photo editors have done skin photo retouching of many kinds. It could be the facial features or the body toning. Many supermodels have portfolios done and this may be a requirement. Advertising agencies ask for this service almost every month. Skin treatment is done in many ways. This may offer a thin line of morality while presenting the final result. The original person may not be anywhere close to the perfection of the photo. So avoid this problhem it is best to bring a near ideal result rather than make the photo retouching too perfect. Some faults and blemishes are just fine.

Understanding Photography Manipulation and Its Ethical Applications

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When professional editors adopted photo manipulation, there was a thin line between its usage and actual needs. Now there is more clarity. Every professional needs to know the right way of usage to remain within the law.

Whatever might be the source from which obtained an image you need to process and manipulate it to a certain extent before it is ready for the usage it intends to serve. Whether you obtained it from the web, purchased from a photographer, or clicked it you every image has some digital drawback in it that need to be manually removed by using the means of photography manipulation. It may include a wide range of things like altering the size of the file, the resolution of the photo, contents of the image or just basic color correction. Whatever might be your need, you will need software for achieving it. The choice of software will depend upon your budget and skill of using image-processing software. The complexity of the job at hand should also be kept in mind when you are deciding on software.

The availability of software for this purpose can be categorized into a number of segments. Firstly there are web-based tools, which assist you in performing basic photography manipulation. The tools available on these sites are not of advanced nature but tend to suffice the needs of basic picture manipulation by any user. That would include, photo resizing, file format changing, color correction, etc. In case you are looking for more advanced options like cropping and color scheme alterations and focus shifting you should be looking at software with a client version that can be installed on your computer system. Such software can be further categorized as one’s for professional usage and others for personal usage. The software which are intended for professional usage require high levels of skill on the users part and in most cases professional courses. This software for professional usage usually cost a premium. Examples of such software will be Adobe Photoshop, CorelDraw etc. Software that can be used for personal and unskilled usages include the likes of Picasa, Gimp, etc. This software tends to be simpler and free of any cost or open source.

There are a number of ethics that are involved with image manipulation. Numerous cases have been reported when professionals or individual users have used photo manipulation for distorting truths or demeaning and humiliating other people or just for fun. Photo manipulation has been put to numerous misuses like morphing of celebrity photos or personal photos for purposes like pornography and blackmailing. While using any photography manipulation or morphing software what should be kept in mind by you is that it should not violate the rights and ethics of someone else. Avoid morphing photos of celebrities or pictures that have a copyright on them. Instances when journalists and reporters have manipulated photographs for various purposes are also widely found. These practices are strictly immoral and illegal in most cases. Severe punishment according to a region’s cyber laws can be dished out to violators. So it is best advised that you should be using photography manipulation only as a mean of personal usage, which doesn’t infringe on existing laws.