Welcome To The Orange Screen Challenge

by Mike I. on Jan 16, 2012 2:47 PM EST

Welcome to the first week of the Orange Screen Challenge! This is not an attempt to see how far one can legally move when setting a pick for Scoop, but an attempt to capture and re-contextualize some of the singular moments from Syracuse University athletics. The Buzz Williams – Rockette picture was solid entertainment for all, so it seemed like a good idea to open the fun up to everyone in the community.

Every week during basketball and football season, I will post two or three images from Sean’s Photology recaps (from the archives during the offseason). I will isolate and clean up one element of the pictures (eliminating background materials, etc.) so that those without sufficient editing skills, software, or time can still play. Just copy and paste the image in a comically appropriate way and email to orangescreenchallenge@gmail.com. I will curate and post the submissions every Friday. Any picture, or combination of pictures, in this column is fair game.

While the latest iteration of Photoshop is capable of feats akin to magic, most of us don’t have access to it. So mad editing skills are not required here, just creativity. Here are some tips I’ve picked up in my editing journey.

Source pictures are seldom perfect. Use the flaws. This picture of That Big Bastard has his right arm irretrievably obscured by the net, which is terribly out of place in other settings. That’s just a massive invitation for a replacement arm.

If you know how to manipulate layers, putting some elements in front of and some elements behind the subject can go a long way to making it seem more integrated (if you don’t have layer-capable software, Pixlr is a reputable online tool).
The soften tool applied to the edges of the subject can help blend it in to the background.
If editing is not your thing, you can always avail yourself of a Meme Generator. Sure, it’s just a glorified caption in IMPACT font, but I declare it a valid Orange Screen Challenge submission.

Images without any background can be found here.

So get to editing and send your submissions to orangescreenchallenge@gmail.com .

First week, we have Villanova: