Recycle Images to create Graphic Novel looking pictures

I had a hard drive crash on me.  I was able to recover a lot of the data I thought I lost.  I found some images I hadn’t looked at in quite some time and thought….  What can I do with these.  So I began to play around with photoshop and this is what happened.

I took a normal looking image like this one and turned it into something out of a graphic novel. I know may people will say yes you posterized it or used poster edges but that is not the case.  Those filters don’t get the same effect.  In fact I used about 8 layers to get the final product.  I also find that you can’t use the same process on every photo.  Each time you begin the process changes slightly to make the image look correct.

Below is the final result of this image.

As you can see the entire photo is changed and it looks very much like a graphic novel image.  I combined different artistic, stylize and blur filters to get the effect above.  Here is a sample of the number of layers I used.  The final result has about 3 additional layers.

Here is another before and after…

And 2 more full size examples….

I really enjoyed creating these and writing this article.  Makes me think I could do a online graphic novel using real people since I can’t draw…  Again thanks for reading this.

I’m planning to write another post soon about the lens baby system and embracing the blur….

Digipower Steady Cam – Action Camera Stabilizer

I found a new gadget that helps reduce shaky video. The Digipower Action Camera Stabilizer. It is a simple design, includes counter weights, smart phone mount and a GoPro mount. It all packs nicely in a hardshell case. The price was about $60 for the kit.

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It is quite simple. You mount your device then use the counter weights and level (built in the arm) to get the desired angle. When you start filming the mount helps to reduce camera shake and movement. I’ve only used it a little but notice a big difference in video quality.

Over all it seems to be well built but be aware it is for light weight cameras. I would not try to mount a DSLR or full size video camera to this unit. The only real issue I ave is the case does not look to be the most durable.  For the price this mini steady cam is a great value!

Been too Long!!

Sometimes we have the very best intentions and then it goes terribly wrong….  I’m not sure what happened I just one day stopped blogging and forget it was even here until I got my renewal notice.  That was just sad on my part.  I know I don’t have many followers if any but still I should at least try to keep this current.  I mean you never know when the Zombie Apocalypse will happen and there should be some history of what life was like.  That being said I’m not sure my history will do much beside cure insomnia.

Ok, this being a technology blog lets think about what is next.  I am toying with the idea of working on 3D video.  After all I just upgraded to a new 3D TV so I should have some video to go with.  I am currently looking at the Go Pro 3D and this off brand camera.  If I do the Go Pro I have other uses as I currently have ½ of what I need.  But this system doesn’t shoot in real 3D it is the red and green.  I’m still checking to see if Adobe Premier or Finalcut Pro could use it to do real 3D.  Getting mixed answers.  The other camera shoots in the real 3D format.  The drawback is I could only use it for 3D.  Decisions, Decisions… So stay tune for my decision, samples and reviews.