Make an eye wink?

[Briantho]

I've used Photoshop 6 for a few basic things and now I want to make an eye wink in a little video I'm working on.

Here's the actual eye ;-)

eye01.jpg

Basically, which tools should I read up about?

I suppose I'm trying to make two little PSDs from this: one where the eye is half closed and the other completely closed?

In a higher numbered video track perhaps I'd then superimpose the half closed eye (on the complete PSD from which I've copied the above eye) for a few frames (6?) followed by completely closed for, say 12 frames and finally back to half closed for 6 frames? Might that look OK?

Any hints etc would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance, Brian.

[John 'twosheds' McDonald]

Brian, would using something like Winmorph to create the transition from open eye to closed eye be of any use?

[Briantho]

Thanks for the idea John. I had a quick look at the DebugMode website but there seems to be a problem with the morphing part of it.

I'd actually prefer to use this little need of mine as a way of getting to grips with more of Photoshop - with a little help from everyone, of course! ;-)

[John 'twosheds' McDonald]

OK. It is possible in Photoshop but it would be a lot easier if you had the image of the eye closed as well as the eye open. Here is my attempt - caveat, I spent less than two or three minutes doing this so, done more carefully, it will look a lot lot better.

[wmvvideo]http://muvipix.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10012/Sequence_01.wmv[/wmvvideo]

[Briantho]

Wow - that's just perfect! Err.... what did you do....?

[John 'twosheds' McDonald]

Mine was quite simple, just extract upper eyelid then use transform/warp to make it fit the lower eyelid, then just clone stamp to fill in the gaps. BUT here is a tutorial that I found which may be more help:-

http://www.rnel.net/tutorial/Photoshop/6308

PM me if you want more.

[Briantho]

Brilliant! That's SO helpful!! Actually, just the 'Pucker' over the whole eye and brow produces the perfect effect - on the higher video track for just a few frames. I'm most grateful for your help.

A bit later on I'll post the link to the Overture of the piece I'm working on within which Mozart gives his wink. It's actually Cosi Fan Tutte which is an amusing piece after all

[RJ Johnston]

Final SWF was made in ImageReady.
Didn't have time for a wink, just a blink.

http://muvipix.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10181/eye01.swf

The actual size is the same as the original Brian posted, so you'll have to resize the browser window if you get a big eye.

[Ron]

Or just click this link - http://muvipix.com/cpg/displayimage.php?pos=-1665

[Briantho]

You guys are amazing! Please, how were they done? I won't be doing anything more on this for a week as I'm travelling etc but I'm SO intrigued with what you did.

If you have 8 minutes free (Ha!!) then you can see what I achieved by following John's advice. Using the 'pucker' effect I was able to include the eyebrow and although it's not exactly what I originally asked about I think it works very well. Anyway, Mozart now winks a few times during the Overture, first time at about 4 mins 20 seconds. The whole production was great fun and I tried to liven up what can otherwise be a visually 'slow' part of the opera.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyTYwZRKUgs

[Gooder]

I enjoyed watching that!
The winking eye technique really worked and added a bit of a laugh to the project, nice!

Where was that filmed, what part of the town?

Lee

[Briantho]

In the Temple des Pâquis which is basically the 'red light' bit of Geneva, within easy walking of the main railway station. Last year the same group did the Magic Flute and filming the two productions has been a real pleasure. Most of the orchestra are professionals (basically music teachers in the area) but the cast are all very competent amateurs. You know Geneva a bit?

I see you're in Stockholm - min fru är svenska - hon kommer från Halmstad and she's correcting everything I write - ah!!!!

[momoffduty]

Enjoyed the video and the eye wink was right in time with the music. The audio on the video was so clear. Did you do anything special to get that quality?

[Briantho]

Thanks! I'm sure you'd agree that whatever the music, it's important to cut to the beat - but not every beat - keep 'em guessing!

As for the audio I used my two Rode Videomics which have been just great. The acoustics of the 'Temple' did not lend themselves particularly to this type of performance but somehow the ear and brain compensate and it sort of comes out OK.

But I can't recommend those Videomics enough. As a point of interest I have filmed LOTS of shows with them and they are still both on their original 9 volt batteries. Mind you, I always have a couple of spares in my pocket ;-)

[Gooder]

You know Geneva a bit?
I see you're in Stockholm - min fru är svenska - hon kommer från Halmstad and she's correcting everything I write - ah!!!!

Hej Brian (Hello Brian)
Min fru är också svenska. (My wife is also Swedish)

My wife has been to Switzerland but not me. What I have seen from your video it looks interesting, just like Sweden is!
Jag kan prata lite Svenska men jag måste prata mer! (I can talk a little Swedish but I must talk more)

Brian, is your original language French?

Cheers,
Lee