Making prop blur in photo shop

[mustangdriver]

I know some people make prop blur in photo shop. Is anyone on here able to help me do that for a project I am working on for the Grissom Air Museum? thanks in advance

[Holedigger]

Step 1
New File at least twice as big as what size prop you want to use.
Step 2
Create a new layer (so that it is on a clear layer, not on white)
Draw a rough "Prop Shape with color, including tip paint and a blob for whatever brand prop company it is
Step 3
Copy that layer
Step 4
Make a circle selection with the prop in the center
Step 5
Filter/Blur/Radial Blur (play with these settings)
Step 6
make another copy of prop, repeat blur with different settings, play with %transparency on layers as well, rotating them to your likings
Step 7
Make as many layers as needed and build up what you are after
Step 8
Turn off Background WHite Layer, select ALL, Control/shift/copy (copy all layers and flatten)
Step 9
Paste, this makes a layer with all layers combined, drag that to your project and distort to proper perspective on spinning prop
Good Luck, Have Fun, Play with it

[mustangdriver]

Thanks Chris, now I just need to buy photoshop! ha ha

[Holedigger]

You can probably get by with one of the newer Elements, aps, it has most of the standard tools, but I'm not sure about radial blur, the version of Elements I have is old and I haven't used it in years. Anyone out there have a newer Elements and know if it has Radial Blur Filter?

[mustangdriver]

I plan on getting elements, but for now I am just looking for someone that would be willing to take a picture I have, and add the prop blur for the web site at the museum.

[Holedigger]

Shoot it at me, I'll take a look at it

[mustangdriver]

Thanks Chris! I will tonight when I get home

[Holedigger]

Roger that tower!

[RyanShort1]

Thanks Chris, now I just need to buy photoshop! ha ha

You should really try GIMP instead. It's free and open-source and always getting better.

Ryan

[mustangdriver]

Oh really? Where can I find out more about that?

[warbird1]

You can probably get by with one of the newer Elements, aps, it has most of the standard tools, but I'm not sure about radial blur, the version of Elements I have is old and I haven't used it in years. Anyone out there have a newer Elements and know if it has Radial Blur Filter?

I have the latest version of Photoshop Elements, version 8.0. I can confirm that it does indeed have the radial blur feature. BTW, I recommend Elements for anyone who is not a professional photographer and doesn't need all of the advanced editing features. $ 80 sure beats paying $ 700!

[RyanShort1]

Oh really? Where can I find out more about that?

www.gimp.org. I do all of my photo editing either in GIMP or Picasa if I want to do it quick.

Ryan

[k5083]

Even the older Elements has the radial blur. I use 3.0 and do the basic procedure described above.

The tricky part of this is actually left out of Holedigger's instructions. You must first create a version of the original photo where the stationary propeller is completely erased, to give you something to paste the blurred prop into when you are done with it. That means you are going to have to paint in the areas that were hidden by the prop blades in the original pic. This can take a bit of skill, depending on how much detail there is in what was hidden. It is easier when working with a rear view , where you will have to paint in a bit of sky and background, but not part of the plane.

August

[Holedigger]

Oops! Yup, either as first or last step...gotta remove that stationary prop, leaving it on a layer on top so you can turn it on and off to gauge the new one is advisable. The cloning tool is your new friend, get used to it!

[TimAPNY]

Thanks for the tip on making prop blur. I have a beer label I can keep working on now.


A sweet Fw-190A-8 shot that needs to look "airborne"

Tim