All of the background was masked out. The hotel and the trees were eliminated and only the pool and it's surroundings were retained.
Astronaut images:
Images courtesy of NASA.
NASA do not enforce a copyright on many of their images and insist only that, if the images depict a recognisable individual, the said individual's personal privacy should be respected.
The first astronaut was in greyscale so I had to add a splash of colour - the flag on the shoulder was the only hint of what colours might be used. Apart from the flag the added colour was barely perceptual and represented the reflections of surrounding objects (present or imaginary). Further colour was added by replacing the sample container with a cocktail glass and replacing the visor reflection with an alternative scene (a scene that is, by definition, behind the camera and therefore can represent almost anything).
The second astronaut was placed far in the background so I didn't have to make any changes to the reflections or nuances of colour - such corrections would unappreciated and barely perceived.
Alternative reflection for the foreground astronaut's visor.
Colourful replacement for the sample container held by the astronaut.
Additional fruit used to extend the cocktail glass further to cover the original sample container.
The various elements comprising the visor reflection
The addition of a fence to match the one in the background gives greater continuity to the reflected image. The fruit cocktail wouldn't really reflect in the visor from that angle but it adds colour and further Cohesion.
The lack of gravity in space means that static 2D objects can be convincingly animated in composite images set in space. By varying the acceleration and introducing a 70 degree rotation, the illusion is further enhanced.
The ability of Flash CS3 to import layered PSD documents allows us to easily animate photoshop collages in a matter of minuets.
