Feedback REQ on background images

[DragonByte Technologies]

So i'm debating what style to go with for background images. For ease of use and to make the best use of limited resources (see: time) the images will all at least be *based* on actual photographs I have/will be taking.

What i want to know from you guys is whether you prefer them as plain photographs, or with some slight photoshop stylisation.

Examples below.

 

[Mokonzi]

Stylized works better than straight photos. They wiyld have to be wow photos along with perfectly chosen settings to work otherwise. That's my two pence.

 

[Freekoid]

I think you should go with stylised, match the characters, like a cartoony effect.

Otherwise your gonna scare all the fisherman away from your nordic lake

*Edit - Isnt it a fjord =D

 

[Doctor]

Either should be more cartoony or have a option to upload your own

 

[Maximilian2]

I like the third image you posted Vodka

 

[Cosmic]

There will, of course, be the option to upload your own ^.^

Loved the pic Freek, and technically i'm in scotland, so it would be a loch

 

[Trekkan]

Stylized in some way is better IMO. Something that somewhat closely matches the style of the monsters. Thicker lines, less detail, etc... (of real life images).

 

[Cosmic]

I'm all ears if someone has a suggestion on what filter i should run the pics through on PS to achieve the best effect

 

[Trekkan]

I'm all ears if someone has a suggestion on what filter i should run the pics through on PS to achieve the best effect

I'm graphically retarded, so no idea. =) More than anything all I would say is something that at least goes in the same direction as the monster art style. It doesn't have to match, but should blend.

 

[Freekoid]

Ok, Try this.

1)Load your picture into PS.

2)Go up to Filter > Sharpen > Sharpen Edges

3)Now Edit > Fade Sharpen Edges > Set the Opacity High and use the Hard Mix option

Note: It all depends on the picture.

Heres another one ; same steps but I used Exclusion and Opacity @ 100% for step 3.

I still prefer Vodka's though

 

[Cosmic]

xD Those look like an acid trip i...um... once saw my friend having =P

 

[Trekkan]

xD Those look like an acid trip i...um... once saw my friend having =P

If you bring the color palette back down to one closer matching the monsters, I think the effect will be closer.

 

[Freekoid]

These were done a website called befunky as seen by the watermark.

Easy enough to crop out

 

[RedSpades]

Those look good Freekoid

 

[Cosmic]

Agreed. Wonder if we could get some without watermarks... Wouldn't want to just cut them out tbh =P

Looked into them already actually (as i found when i was putting the address into my bar) Problem is it's all a website based service. For the volumes of pictures i'm looking at, thats quite unfeasable. Would need to be a downloadable program really.

 

[Freekoid]

The software your looking for is called 'Cartoonizer'

 

[Freekoid]

Ive found another technique using PS.

Filter > Artistic > Poster Edges : Basically does the same as the befunky site.

 

[Webbstre]

I'm honestly only going to use custom backgrounds, so it doesn't apply to me... but I prefer the old school pixelated backgrounds

 

[RedKnight91]

I'm honestly only going to use custom backgrounds, so it doesn't apply to me... but I prefer the old school pixelated backgrounds

totally fucking quote. I say I'm gonna do default backgrounds, and I'm drawing them v_v