Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Poly-mask

But only if you have time. This is one of the more narcissistic entries around here (unlike the bulk of my reader-centered entries)--much ego in reveling mug modifications, much less sharing them. Last August, when I first arrived in Syracuse, somebody shot a flattering photo for the CCR web site (so much can be said for photo-doctoring, yeah?).  So when I ran across Face Transformer, I had to give it a whirl, see what my official grad student photo would look like after some re-faciation, a make-over.  Plus, figuring that the just-before-first-year photo is the best I'll ever look for the remainder of my years, it's a game of nostalgia.  In fact, upon Ph. commenting the other day that he could use a larger duffel for his lacrosse gear (and he's right), I might've told him, "What, kid, why not use one of these bags from here underneath my eyes?"  Grande friggin' pouch-swells (like puffed blowfish), I swear, from mad-pace reading (to say nothing of training myself to read PDFs on-screen).  But, alas, transformation.  Imagistic morphesis.  Here are my top choices (if you've made it this far, you might as well follow the link to the original): ape, el greco, botticelli, and baby.

And the top-most of the top: modigliani, magna cartoon.

Just in case you decide to play around with the Face Transformer, you should pay special attention to their terms and conditions.  I've lifted the important bits for your convenience:

The Face Transformer is a fun toy only, and is not guaranteed fit for any purpose, implied or otherwise. The Perception Laboratory and the University of St Andrews accepts no responsibility for loss or damage incured while using this software.

And

We reserve the right to use your facial image and the personal data you have supplied for scientific research purposes only. We will not publish your facial image on the web, in scientific journals or in the media without prior consent.

Says nothing about lasting effects.

Bookmark and Share Posted by at April 13, 2005 7:30 PM to Media
Comments

Derek ... this is an awesome tool! I've been lurking around your blog for a bit, and this break from my own studies has been enough to prompt a first post. Thanks for the link. I've added it to the list of "fun visits on the web" through which I'll take my freshman comp students next semester. And thanks, too, for putting the precautions in clear view. I've connected this post to my Purdue web presence, but if you're interested, you can check out my first ventures into blogging by clicking here.

Posted by: Mary at April 14, 2005 10:22 AM

Um, I think I'm the whiz who took the original photo. As for what you've done with it: speechless, just speechless. Ye godz.

Posted by: senioritis at April 14, 2005 9:48 PM

Thanks, Mary. I was just having fun with it--doing what I can to match the hectic pace with zany blogging antics. Lately--during the more intense stretch of late-semester, I find I'm using the weblog for decompression--getting down anything for kicks, maybe for returning to later. And I've bookmarked Proclaiming Age; will try to have a more careful look when things slow (hopefully after the weekend).

Posted by: Derek at April 14, 2005 9:50 PM

I thought it was you, senioritis, who took the photo that tempted me to try out the face transformer (without the photo, no experiment). You've gotta admit the magna cartoon rendering is especially fantastic. And the baby rendering...so cute ('cept the beard).

Posted by: Derek at April 14, 2005 9:55 PM

Very slick. Yet another little tool that's just screaming for some reverse engineering. You know, when I hit the lottery, I'm going to hire you to write and develop all of these really cool tools. We'll roll them out at CCCC and drink Manhattans with all the Comp Super Stars.

Posted by: mike at April 15, 2005 3:44 PM

Whatever you do, Mike, don't use 4 8 15 16 23 42. As for the other, sounds great.

Posted by: Derek at April 16, 2005 6:17 PM