I've been thinking about another photochop contest. However, after my last one, many people complained that there is a certain group that is well above the norm and "always wins" (I don't think that part is necessarily true).

So it seems to me that people need a place where they can post their chops, ask questions, and get advice on how to make them better. I think that this is a thread that, if successful, will become quite the learning tool here at CA.

I have no photochop skills, so I probably won't participate for a while, but I am interested in how people do such a good job at matching skin tone.

So post some chops, share some tips and tricks and let's get ready for when the next contest shows up.

can we make sure to keep the Creepy Stalker factor to a minimum? How about making sure the subject has given permission to the chopper?

Even though it is all in good fun...I agree with Pete...permission would be a good idea.

What is the "Creepy Stalker" factor? :-)

O.K. I'll bite.

How would these permissions be managed?

I understand where you are coming from but I see another nightmare for the TOE. In the past, I think we've done a decent job (and the participants, too) in keeping things from going too far.

A guy would just have to pm a guy to use their pic.

The "Creepy Stalker" factor is when someone chops and posts someone's picture they don't know. Some guys are sensitive to it, Peter.
It's understandable, especially if things get "weird".
Never phased me, but I don't take anything very seriously and I have a very broad sick sense of humor. It can definately get over the top sometimes, though.

I understand that. Now I'm not trying to split hairs here but I do want to understand. What constitutes someone you "know". There are a lot of members here I've never met face to face. Hypothetically, which ones do I know and which ones don't I know?

So, I guess each chop would have to be approved by the choppee before being posted? How does one handle a chop with 5 or 6 people in it? Approval from all?

I'm not trying to be difficult here but I see this as a nightmare.

Maybe just keeping it simple and asking the person (choppie) before they are photo chopped?

Before? What happens if they don't like the results? We're right where we are without permissions in the first place.

Only for the chopper, Peter, the ToE need not be involved. A pm would serve as a "receipt" in case of an issue. And I think it might be appropriate, and minimal time invested by the chopper and the choppee to insure a "more harmonious" environment. :-) You trust your friends or you don't.

Also, if members don't allow themselves to be chopped, do we allow them to participate in the contest? (Yeah. This is cool. As long as it isn't me.)

Sorry for the threadjack, Mark. This thread was supposed to be about sharing skills and techniques and it turned into something else.

If they don't like it then the chop doesn't get posted...better to not have something posted then start a pissing match.


Mark,
One tip I got from my creative dept was if I want to phase someone out then copy the background nearby, rotate, and paste over..I did this with another woman's shadow that was ruining my sunset photo.

Howabouts you just chop away and if the chopie has an issue with it, they just PM the chopper or hit the report post button ?

Jezus, it's not like you need a modeling release and contract, it's a frickin' photochop for fun on a cigar forum. Do you seriously think anyone here is that malicious?

It's a photochop, not a faked celebrity nudie picture...

You are correct, I was addressing a "policy" or "etiquette" issue rather than the nuts and bolts of PS'ing. I think it needed to be clarified again, and am not alone. I threadjacked it a bit before you.
Sorry.

It happens by accident. The choppee doesn't like the pic and feelings get hurt, sad but true.

So, if I understand you correctly, Bao, permission is after the chop but before posting.
This is how things have been handled in the past.
I understand your concerns, Pete.

I'm well aware of that, hence why they can then PM the chopper and ask that the photo be taken down or hit the report post button, or quit acting like a whinny little schoolgirl.


You guys are creating a mountain out of a molehill and in the process, you're asking the admins to be your police or daycare supervisors. I think they have better things to do than that.

Yupper

I would love to say that everyone here loves everyone else but some personalities clash. I fully agree with it being "Just in good fun" but like I said, some are more sensitive than others as such some have different opinions of what is funny or rude.

The ToE don't have to do anything...Choppers should just understand a rule of courtesy, as some don't like being chopped.

Such is the case on every forum.