need help on how to improve this image Options

[patr1c1a]

I'm a newbie at Paint Shop Pro 9 image editing, and just tried to make an image of a guitar emerging from the water. But I don't think it looks realistic. So I would like some advice on how to make it look like a real picture, and also, how to make it look like the guitar is emerging, and not going down. I thought maybe adding some drops of water, which I don't know how to create...


Click to see image


I'll appreciate any helpful advice you can give me.

[schizo]

So far, it looks pretty good. For this kind of thing, I recommend just messing with a bunch of stock photos. Stock.xchng is my favorite. Maybe try looking for a picture of a splash and add it around the guitar. You can find drops of water on there too.

Also, I'm not sure how it would look, but you could try adding the shadow of the guitar. It looks like you have most of the basic PSP skills down, so I'm not going to bother explaining exactly how to do that. If you do need help with it, though, I'll explain.

[ForgiveTheSinner]

I think you should fix the lighting on the guitar since the light seems to be coming from the back instead of the front....dunno if that made sense or not.

[mizzkewl06]

i think it looks good... but i have to agree that it looks a little to unreal. maybe if the guitar were a bit small? or if you can't/don't want to change the size then maybe adding a splash effect of some sort. but for a "newbie" i think you're off to a good start.

[patr1c1a]

Thanks for all your comments! Very kind.
I tried to work a little more on the image. I created a brush as I couldn't find any that suited my "water drops" need. I observed some pictures, and after seeing this: http://www.sxc.hu/pic/m/f/fi/fishmonk/1008...r_o_p_s_a_3.jpg I decided to make a brush full of dots of different sizes. I painted some drops of water with it and then I applied the "tiles" texture effect (it was an accident but it actually turned out to look good!).
I also covered with a dark color some of the lights that seemed to come from the front (since the sun here seems to be at the back of the guitar).
But I actually couldn't manage to add any splash effect. I couldn't find any picture that would fit my image, but since the guitar is emerging from the sea (and not "submerging"), I thought maybe the splash wouldn't be necessary.
This is the modified image:
Click for image

Any advise on how to improve it? Thanks!!

[marisak1]

The guitar looks a bit lighter.. like it doesnt belong. I'd say use the burn tool on the guitar a little bit...

Or else it looks great (:

[*absinthe*]

In all honesty, I don't think that particular image of the water works well. Also, when I zoom in to view the photo, the drops of water just look like random blue dots. My suggestion is still adjusting the lighting on the guitar. It seems a bit unnatural (well, so is the theme, but you get what I mean ). Currently, it just seems like it was cropped, placed, and then, sprinkled with blue dots from a paint program.

[fixtatik]

besides the lighting of the guitar that was already mentioned, i think the water line is what bugs me most. you have a couple of wavelike lines at the base of the guitar, but they don't coincide with the rest of the waves in the water. they're actually backwards waves - the real water is coming towards the camera, while the water on the guitar is moving parallel to the camera.

go to google images and search for something that's meant to be in water, like a buoy or a boat, or even a pelican. if you take a look at the base of each object when it touches the water, you can get an idea of what i'm talking about.

also, try to make the guitar look "wet." it doesn't necessarily need a splash, since it looks like it's supposed to be coming out of the water smoothly, but it does need to be much darker.

[patr1c1a]

Thanks so much for your wonderful advice everyone!
I gave it another try, and this is what I got now:

Click for image

If you still have anything to say to improve it, please do :)

[Tomates]

in my opinion i think the guitar is a bit dark on your new photo
i would say brighten it up maybe atleast a tad bit or something.

But for you beign a newbie i think you got the lightning and such from the guitar matchign the scenery pretty good