Backyard Farming: October 2012

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Creating Headless Halloween Pictures

This post isn't like any post I've ever done before, so I hope that you enjoy it!

This year for Halloween, I wanted to have some personalized decorations. I found a blogpost of 19th Century Headless pictures and I ran with the idea for our kids. I will even show you how to make your own! All you need is a digital camera and photo editing software. I will be using photoshop.

First, a few tips for making it easier:

Pull long hair up, or it will look weird to have hair on the shoulders (but no head)
Take the pictures on a simple background
Have fun!

Step 1: Take a picture with subject in it(remember keep the background simple!)

Step 2: Take the exact same picture without subject in it

Step 3: Upload both pictures into your photo-editing program

Step 4: Using your move tool, drag the photo without the subject right on top of the picture with your subject. You will now have 2 layers, you will only be able to see the picture without your subject.

Step 5: Set opacity of top image (the one without your subject) to about 50%

Step 6: Using the eraser tool, erase away ALL of the top layer picture (the one without your subject) EXCEPT for around the head. With both layers at 100% opacity, your image should look like this at this point:

Step 7: Using the polygonal lasso tool, on the layer with your subject, trace around the head.

Step 8: Make a copy of the selected head by going to 'Edit' then 'Copy'.
Then go to 'Edit', 'Paste'. You should now have 3 layers. 1st layer: picture with subject, 2nd layer: the background covering the head, 3rd layer: (should be on the top of all layers) the new head.

Step 9: Place head where you would like it. It might be fun to have your subject holding a plate, and put the head on the plate.

Step 10: (Optional) Using the paintbrush tool, I drew in the back of the neck (it doesn't have to be perfect, if you are using an action to make it look old fashioned)

Step 11: Flatten your image (so you only have 1 layer)

Step 12: Make it look old fashioned. You can do this on your own, but I chose to use an action by Totally Rad called Old Skool (Fast), there are lots of free actions out there you can play around with to get the desired look!