Triptych framing.... just had to try this!

[Kaye]

Thanks to all those who offered info on Triptych in Joh Rayner's thread not long ago....

I just had to try it.
As I did not find three separate suitable shots to insert, I decided to have a go at splitting an image into 3 then inserting it just as a trial. (A bit like Sandy did nicely in a similar thread in Mics not long ago).

This is the outcome - I may not have chosen the best border as there are numerous.

Sandy gave some great instructions on how she split her image, but does any one know if there is a really simple way to do this in PS?

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This is the image I split.
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[johnbiondo]

Really nice Kaye! I was putting 3 separate pics in my frames. This is a nice way to show one photo in a great way. Nicely done!

[Kaye]

Thanks John, I guess it is easier to put in 3 separate shots.
I will have to try to get a few shots of my daughter and do the same.

[jerryph]

Well done Kaye. :) Yours has a nice feel to it, but the only thing that I am not really feeling are the edges, but that is likely because of what I feel being the best usage for them.

IMHO, a triptych doesn't reach it's fullest potential until placed in a frame and put on a wall. I often see these in museums or houses and they always make a strong visual impact to me. Seeing the actual physical separation just rocks this technique to it's fullest. None of the ones that made the biggest impact to me had frayed edges.

Thats not to say it isn't attractive, it is, this is just my opinion. :)

I've been thinking about making one for the longest time, and simply have not made one because I've not found the photo that I want to use or perhaps the one that I have in my mind I've not been able to create thanks to my limitations of knowledge in Photoshop. I know it will be of my family, I know it has to have an ethereal feel and I know it has to provoke a strong emotion in me, short of that, I am kind of at a wall.


I will have to try to get a few shots of my daughter and do the same.

How about a triptych with a twist? Since you have one daughter, having a triptych of a scene with her only in on of the 3 may unbalance the photo, but... if you had a landscape shot with a beautiful scene, and this scene was spread across all 3 parts (like it normally is), yet your daughter appears in 3 different poses in these areas, that may be something of significant impact?

And with that, Kaye, you have just removed my block... lol I like that idea enough that I wished I had thought of it earlier because I now have an idea that I cannot implement until spring... dratted Canadian winters... lol

There is a place near here with the potential of some awesome sunsets and in my mind, I see the perfect composition for a triptych of my family, right down to the lighting, timing, composition and time of day.

Gotta scoot, have to write this down else I may forget it... lol !!

[DoctorJazz]

Kaye,

I've been looking forward to this thread! Great job and great comments.....I see Jerry's point about seeing the full visual impact in a frame on the wall....I remember seeing one in a local museum of an autumn landscape and it did indeed have nice clean edges in all three sections....it was so simple and elegant.

[mickncrispy]

Nice work Kaye, this looks like a fun project idea. I have thought about doing one of these but with three images of the local landscape taken at three different times perhaps down at the local jetty taken at sunrise, sunset and in a storm something along those lines. Hmmmm so many possibilities. Jerry I really like your idea with your family too.

[StephenK]

Hi Kaye :^)

Thanks for the heads-up on this thread... I figured I'd go ahead and respond to you here because I found out some stuff
that may be helpful to others.

Firstly I didn't know what "Triptych" even meant... but thanks to google and your threads this "not knowing" was resolved quickly. :^)
I did a fairly simple one real quick in order to work through the process..



http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll202/StephenKr/IMG_5580tripic.jpg


I did find this one site that offers a nice collection of free templates:

http://www.photoradar.com/techniques/technique/25-free-triptych-photo-frames-for-photoshop


And here's what else I came up with along the way...

The best way that I found to section an image into thirds is to first activate the "Rulers" option under the heading "View" (View>Rulers)

Then Right-click on the ruler at the edge and change the measurement standard to "Percent".... this will make the
ruler start at zero and end at one hundred... (I think it's a right click.. I'm currently using my tablet :^)

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll202/StephenKr/ScreenHuntpercent.jpg


A third of 100 is 33 and a third.... two thirds of 100 is 66 and two thirds....

You can divide the image by those numbers using the rectangle select tool or by using the ruler tool as a guide... (ruler tool: use alt to select several rulers, control to move them)

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll202/StephenKr/ScreenHuntrulertool.jpg

All this is quick and easy, down and dirty, after the first time you've gone through the sequence.

Below is a screen capture of the work flow for my quick throw-together edit....

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll202/StephenKr/ScreenHunttripic.jpg

Now for the template.... easy as making a frozen pie... :^)

Import and size the template by using the "Place" command under the "File" menu (File>Place)

With that layer selected, go down to the Channels selections and Control-Click on any of the channels (I went with red). This will give you the marching ants thing around the template. Now
add a mask for that layer. The mask will absorb the marching ants.

Adjust everything to taste... :^)

You can then use the layer styles, or imported textures, to do all sorts of things with the frame... the possibilities from here-on are endless..!
----

Hope this quick run-through was helpful! And thanks again Kaye! for introducing me to something that I hadn't heard about till now! :^)

[eyerkish]

Thank you, Kaye and Stephen, for the info on this. I had tried doing this manually in Photoshop before ever hearing of this and while the results were okay, it took quite a bit of time. I have downloaded these templates and look forward to using them. Thanks for sharing with the group.

[StephenK]

Thanks Eddie! :^)

I did another run at this process, this time using the frame Number 19
from this url that I had posed above:
http://www.photoradar.com/techniques/technique/25-free-triptych-photo-frames-for-photoshop

The only thing that I used for the frame was the Layer Styles options.. Bevel, texture and shadow.

This is a series of pictures of the latest beloved addition to our household! :^)


http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll202/StephenKr/buddy-in-tri-frame-reduced.jpg

[johnbiondo]

Thank you for all the info Stephen! I am going to try one out....

[wanda]

Thank you all for all the information in this thread. I am totally unable to use photoshop or much else for that matter but have found the info easy to understand and will certainly try something in the future as I always admire the way you all present your work. Thanks

[Kaye]

Well done Kaye. :) Yours has a nice feel to it, but the only thing that I am not really feeling are the edges, but that is likely because of what I feel being the best usage for them.

IMHO, a triptych doesn't reach it's fullest potential until placed in a frame and put on a wall. I often see these in museums or houses and they always make a strong visual impact to me. Seeing the actual physical separation just rocks this technique to it's fullest. None of the ones that made the biggest impact to me had frayed edges.

Thats not to say it isn't attractive, it is, this is just my opinion. :)

I've been thinking about making one for the longest time, and simply have not made one because I've not found the photo that I want to use or perhaps the one that I have in my mind I've not been able to create thanks to my limitations of knowledge in Photoshop. I know it will be of my family, I know it has to have an ethereal feel and I know it has to provoke a strong emotion in me, short of that, I am kind of at a wall.



How about a triptych with a twist? Since you have one daughter, having a triptych of a scene with her only in on of the 3 may unbalance the photo, but... if you had a landscape shot with a beautiful scene, and this scene was spread across all 3 parts (like it normally is), yet your daughter appears in 3 different poses in these areas, that may be something of significant impact?

And with that, Kaye, you have just removed my block... lol I like that idea enough that I wished I had thought of it earlier because I now have an idea that I cannot implement until spring... dratted Canadian winters... lol

There is a place near here with the potential of some awesome sunsets and in my mind, I see the perfect composition for a triptych of my family, right down to the lighting, timing, composition and time of day.

Gotta scoot, have to write this down else I may forget it... lol !!

Thank you Jerry for taking a look at this and for your views. Much appreciated.

I must agree about the frame/edges. I did say in my original post that I was not sure about the frame I chose, and personally thought the chunky rugged edges were not quite right. I just had the bug to try this out, so quickly clicked on one of the borders to see what I could do.
Once I had spent so much time on PS working out how to do this, I was not in the mood to change frames :mad: although I also would have liked to view this shot in a "smoother" more stylish frame. Even the actual shot I chose randomly just to trial this Triptych thing.

Jerry, I love your idea about the shot of my daughter... it's just getting both of us free at one time! But I will certainly keep this in mind thank you.

I would love to be good enough to be able to firstly produce the quality shots, then secondly to be able to post them in the most suitable frame.
I don't think mine will arrive on any gallery or museum wall, but my house could be a start if I succeed with this in a few tries. :D

Jerry, I am sure your PS skills are most likely more advanced than mine??!!, and with the help of one of our PS editing Kings (StephenK - thanks Stephen for the detailed help & info), I am really looking forward to seeing your version of your family in Triptych when you have the time.
Spring will come quickly and I am sure you will achieve the ethereal effect that you desire.

I could also see you producing something like this in the near future for a special wedding request. (Perhaps you could suggest it if you have the right shots to work with). I am not into Weddings, but think that clients would probably like this idea. I know this will put more thoughts in your head on Wedding day, but it may work. You will make it work.

Thanks Jerry.

[Kaye]

Kaye,

I've been looking forward to this thread! Great job and great comments.....I see Jerry's point about seeing the full visual impact in a frame on the wall....I remember seeing one in a local museum of an autumn landscape and it did indeed have nice clean edges in all three sections....it was so simple and elegant.

Sandy, thank your for your thoughts and comments.
I must thank you, as it was your beautiful Triptych shot you posted that really prompted me to have a go at this.
I am glad I posted this, as I feel the information in all the posts has given all members some great information and something to think about and practice.
I do agree with you and Jerry, and will certainly try some clean and simple edges next time.
This may not be for a while, as I know it will take me some time to thoroughly learn how to do this properly. I will be testing out Stephen's instructions.
I look forward to your next try.

[Kaye]

Nice work Kaye, this looks like a fun project idea. I have thought about doing one of these but with three images of the local landscape taken at three different times perhaps down at the local jetty taken at sunrise, sunset and in a storm something along those lines. Hmmmm so many possibilities. Jerry I really like your idea with your family too.

Thanks very much Lisa.
I would really love to view your trials on this with your shots at your local jetty. Your sunsets, etc are great. I think we will all be giving it a try!


Thank you, Kaye and Stephen, for the info on this. I had tried doing this manually in Photoshop before ever hearing of this and while the results were okay, it took quite a bit of time. I have downloaded these templates and look forward to using them. Thanks for sharing with the group.

Thanks Eddie for the comment, but I only offered my trial result with no info. We can thank Stephen for the technical info part. I also look forward to your trials when you have the time. We could get some interesting shots from members here. I think maybe I or maybe Sandy should start a Weekly Photoshots thread on this.

[Kaye]

Hi Stephen,
I really do not know how to thank you for the time and effort you have put into this, and am pleased that you yourself have learned something from it as well.

I thank you on behalf of all the other members as well as myself for the wonderful and very informative information you have offered us.

The shots and the borders you posted were amazing.
I love the beach shot, but then you posted the puppy one. GORGEOUS.

Thanks also for the Triptych frames download... I downloaded it and found that it was the same one that Mark offered in a previous post, for which I thank Mark also.
I have not yet again looked up all the frames in the download, but I am presuming you may have made your own frames or made your own alterations to these frames which are so great. I especially love the puppy shots and the puppy frame.

Could you perhaps just let us all know if these are a straight "download" frame, or your brilliantly altered version of one of these??

Thanks a million Stephen.

[StephenK]

Could you perhaps just let us all know if these are a straight "download" frame, or your brilliantly altered version of one of these??


Thank You Kaye! :^)

I had bookmarked the page with the frames on it, and was bouncing back and forth plucking the ones that fit with what I
was needing directly from the page... I just returned and downloaded the zip file with all the frames so I'll have them
in the future as the need arises.

I did alter the frame but only using the built-in Layer Styles (FX) that comes with photoshop.

There's another way of getting the frame to poke-through to the images which the guy who authored that web page is using but I much prefer
the channels mask method instead. He sets his frame to the "Screen" blending mode, which essentially makes the black in the frame
transparent allowing the pictures to come through. But then that doesn't leave you with the option of then effecting the entire frame with the Layer Styles.

The Channels mask method gives the Layer Styles window access to 'all' the edges within the frame. While the Screen blending mode
method only lets you work directly with the very outside of the frame... The channels mask method is the key to making the
changes that I did. (and as probably noted in my earlier posts I deeply adore channels mask anyway, they're the key of
accessing sooooo much within an image! :^)

Thank you again for your kind words Kaye! And thank you for starting this thread! :)

[DoctorJazz]

Hi All,

I'm going to pick up on this and start a new thread in the Weekly photo section.....
per Kaye's suggestion....I know the possibilities are endless for those looking for a way to present certain images...Thanks for all the editing tidbits Stephen! Your examples are fantastic.

[StephenK]

I found some more grids at the following url:

http://www.photoradar.com/techniques/technique/10-free-photo-grids-for-photoshop

These are a little tougher to work with, in the way I like doing it, than the other ones were... but with a little persistence they're
still a lot of fun! The key again is the process of converting the grids to a mask... after-which most everything is doable...

Below is a composition with these newer frames. I'm using my dogs again to establish a cohesive theme since I have tons of
pictures of these two! :^) Mattie, the older one is 9 years, while Buddy at the time was just a couple of months old...
Mattie still wasn't quite sure how to handle this little bundle of energy that followed her very closely at the time! :^)

[StephenK]

..Thanks for all the editing tidbits Stephen! Your examples are fantastic.

Thank You Sandy! :^) This little adventure has been a lot of fun!

[StephenK]

Thank you for all the info Stephen! I am going to try one out....

Thanks John! Be sure to post it here when you're done! I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with! :^)

[mickncrispy]

These are all so good. I found these links on how to create a triptych in Lightroom if anyone is interested also
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-to-select-and-compose-a-triptych-in-lightroom
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/creating-a-triptych-in-lightroom

[johnbiondo]

Hi Stephen (and everyone else)

Here is my very first attempt..... Part of the rock cliffs I shot recently. I like the way it came out looking 3D.

[StephenK]

Hi Stephen (and everyone else)
Here is my very first attempt..... Part of the rock cliffs I shot recently. I like the way it came out looking 3D.


Nicely executed John!! :)

Be sure to add it to Sandy's thread on this subject!
http://www.proudphotography.com/forum/showthread.php?p=43829#post43829

It comfortably belongs there! :^)

[Kaye]

Love this John,
Why not post it also to Weekly Photoshots. Sandy has started a new thread for Triptych so we can follow all the shots and learn more from this.

[DoctorJazz]

These are all so good. I found these links on how to create a triptych in Lightroom if anyone is interested also
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-to-select-and-compose-a-triptych-in-lightroom
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/creating-a-triptych-in-lightroom

Hi Lisa,

Thanks for this info....I tried one which I'll post in the Weekly Photo section. They do make the instructions pretty straightforward, but I still had to improvise on how
to use one image divided into three sections.

[johnbiondo]

Love this John,
Why not post it also to Weekly Photoshots. Sandy has started a new thread for Triptych so we can follow all the shots and learn more from this.


Just did! Thanks.