Contemplations: More Blogging

I stopped blogging on Original Pirate Photography some time ago because I wasn't really taking pictures anymore, I even deleted the blog. Recently, I opened the it again. This was the first tine I was really happy that I had Melting the Pot. I was able to retrieve the html codes of all the pictures so I didn't have to upload all of them again. Phew! Anyhoo, although I'm not really taking pictures anymore, I still edit and manipulate pictures so it's these that I put on Original Pirate Photography. Then came my ingenious idea for a new blog. I manipulate pictures using Gimp and a lot of the sites and tutorials for creating different effects are for Photoshop. So, I made a new blog on how to create different effects using Gimp. Tutorial 1: Creating that iPod ad effect. You made have noticed that I used this on my previous post (if you didn't, I don't mind, it's not like you've hurt my feelings of anything like that). Anyway, if you wish to learn how to do some snazziness using Gimp, check out Bring in the Gimp.

Original Pirate Photography: I and Cat

This is an image I've been searching for a full sized image of for quite some time. I still haven't found it. My intention was to find a copy of it online to put on here but all I could was the place I first saw it, the cover of The Daydreamer by Ian McEwan.

Original Pirate Photography: Gimping Around

I've been messing around with some images on Gimp for the past few days. I'm still working on some them but here's what I've done so far.

iSkate

Barking Dogs

Bring in the Gimp: How to...Get the iEFFECT

I've seen various methods for creating the iPOD ad effect. I've come uo with my own version, it's quite simple.

This is the image we're working towards

First, select your image. It's best to have a large image with a distinct outline.

Add the Alpha Channel

Then cut the part you want out. I'm a big fan of the scissors as they mould the outline of what you're cutting out for you.

Once you've got all the way around the image, click the middle of the image. You should then see what looks like running ants.

Then press ctrl+I or go to Invert. You should then see running ants going around the outline of the image as well as the border of the whole image.

Press delete, then use the sccisssors to delete any more necessary parts of the image. This should give you something like this.

To add the white parts, use the scissors tools to trace a line around the partt you want to turn white, click on it, then go to fill (BG Colour fill). Do this to each part individually.

To make the rest of the image black, go the colour, then threshold. Move the levels to the lowest point.

Now open a new template around the ssame size as the old image and make it any colour you wish. (Colours, colourify...)

Then paste your previous image onto the new canvas. Use the move tool to position it where you want.Then anchor the picture down.

Then use the text tool to write your caption

And the finished product

Contemplations: Mystery on the Ice

I was running late, the rain poured down and steam prevented me from seeing through the windows of the double decker bus. "Alexandra Palace..." a monotonous voice said, it sounded like my destination so off the bus I came. I climbed the stairs to the palace and stood outside the doors. I then began to feel out of place. I was surrounded by people producing tobacco smoke and sporting ID chains. It was still raining so I was reluctant to leave the shelter of the palace's entrance too look around. Not wanting to be late, I finally looked around, as soon as I left the shelter I realised where I was. This was not the Ice Rink, it was the other side of the palace, the conference side.

I eventually found by party, in a queue with many younger than myself. As we queued, the rest or our party arrived. As we landed on the ice, someone proposed a game of tag, it's more than possible that the person was myself. This game was unlike any game of tag I had played, no-one knew who was "it". Solving the mystery was the focal point of our game so it got rather boring. I attempted to turn it into a noir mystery but no-one was up to it.

There were holes in the ice, holes in the ice. Holes that were out to get you humble narrator, and they succeed twice. Yes, twice I had bear the cold ice the rink floor. No, thrice. The third time I was pushed. I have my suspicions about who it was but even I could not be sure. After more skating and crazy antics we traided our blades for our shoes and my friends, Converse All Stars never felt so great.

I attempted to write that in noir style but it clearly didn't work out well. I seem to have lost my ability to write. Oh well. Rae Charles' slendiferious writin ability more than makes up for it.

A little tribute to the real noir, a great scene from the film noir, The Big Sleep. Gotta love Bogart.

What The Blog?

All of the title images for my blogs were created by my and I'm quite proud of them. So...I thought I'd show them.

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