Ok Photoshop Pros, I am a 3d model type, obsessed with waterfalls and need help. I have been trying to do waterfalls (real looking) in my various 3d modeling apps and without fancy partical effects they aren't satisfactory. I have decided to use PhotoShop and add then in post-production but I am embarrassed to say that all my attempts look like ^*&^$. Any links to tuts or advise (other than taking up another project) would be really appreciated. To see the types of stuff I am attempting, go to http://www.renderosity.com/gallery.ez?ByArtist=Yes&Artist=thunderdon and take a look. I have even tried cloning areas of real photos but I need straight on photos of fall to apply it as texture and not many photos of waterfalls taken straight on exist. Again any help will be greatly appreciated. thunderdon

well, if yer willing to manually add the falls in, I wouldn't know how to, but, the smudge tool in photo shop would be perfect for it. Many waterfalls you see that are so smoothe in photographs are like so because they were long exposure shots, sometimes a second long. What happenes with that is that while the image is static, the water isn't, so the long exposure cases all the reflections of the water to go together. Because it's moving, it creates a slick blur that causes the smootheness. If you were to manuall drawk the water in, complete with white and blue parts, and smudge them downward, you might get the effect yer looking for sorta. I enver tried it, and I'm sure it'd take awhile to get right, but its worth a shot. otherwise, I wouldn't apply a texture, but rather draw it straight on top of the image. Sucks if you wanna do multiple renders of dif angles, but hey, not always an easy way, lol.

Thunderdon, unfortunatly (or fortunatly if you're a control freak!) in Photshop many of the best effects are accomplished by painstakingly applying it by hand. Like Slynky says, if you're willing to do the work... Life in Photoshop (especially doing "digital jiggery") is ALOT eaiser if you have a digital pad (i use a WACOM both at home and work) because it allows for a more natural way of drawing. If you are up to it, the post work can add that kick to your "falls" image that i know is in your head...

Hey Don, I hope ya' don't mine, I pull'd what i think was the images you were trying to put a realistic waterfall in...

I did this in Photoshop with alot of bluring, smudging and slowly building up white and blue tones. Water does not fall straight down but bounces off outcroping of rocks. I added another source of water off the side because your rock structure allowed for it (hope thats ok).

If i had more time i would blend better but wanted to show you "you can do it in postwork" with PS.

Enjoy,
s

All I can say is WOWWW. Of course I don't mind! Thats what Renderosity and these forums is all about. Plus it gives me a chance to learn. Now on THAT note would you (or could you) send me the photoshop image you created to do above. That way I can dissect the layers and history buffers to see what you did step by step. I am hoping that you didn't delete it. How much time (approx) did you put in? I really like the interaction between the rocks and water on left fall. Thanks and send me Pshop doc if you can. thunderdon