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5. The methods of using digitized images in creating composite photograph

The methods of using digitized images in creating composite photograph

Belikov A.V. (1), Goncharov I.A. (2), Goncharova N.N. (3)

1) Institute of philosophy Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow; 2) Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics, Moscow; 3) Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of biology, Department of anthropology, Leninskie Gory, 1, p.12, Moscow, 119991, Russia

Belikov A.V., e-mail: b_ant@mail.ru; Goncharov I.A., e-mail: rtif91@gmail.com; Goncharova Natalia N., Ph.D., ORCID ID: 0000-0001-8504-1175, e-mail: 1455008@gmail.com

Abstract

At the turn of XIX century Francis Galton devised the method of composite photograph, which is widely used in yielding common features in the series of portraits in case of random access. Due to that peculiarity the method has a wide interdisciplinary potential. Our survey is devoted to the consideration of some existing techniques of creating a composite photograph in «Adobe Photoshop». Another issue, described in the article, is the search of the optimal way to emulate multiple exposures, which Galton used, with the help of digital techniques, saving the principals he assumed as a basis of the method. Existing procedures were tested through creating composite portraits of ancient marble statues from the collection of American School of Classical Studies at Athens. The authors, except few cases, used monochrome photos of the statues while examining the method. All images are from the same series and have equal characteristics of contrast and sharpness. They are also made in the similar chiaroscuro. The strengths and weaknesses of the existing methods of superimposition were analyzed. Authors also devised their own process, which helps to reproduce accurately the chemical processes that take place in photosensitive layers during multiple exposures with the help of Adobe Photoshop. Described technique was also verified by mathematical methods. Authors propose their practices for an open examination and discussion.

Keywords

composite photograph, digital methods, F. Galton, «Adobe Photoshop», portraits of ancient marble statues

Цит.: Belikov A.V., Goncharov I.A., Goncharova N.N. The methods of using digitized images in creating composite photograph // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2014; 1/2014; с. 74-83