Displace Filter & Displacement Maps

This Photoshop filter makes it possible to apply the content of one image in such a way that it appears to follow the 3-dimensional contours of the image to which it has been applied. The filter can be found at Filter > Distort > Displace.

You can use the following procedures on any images of your choice or try it out using the two examples shown below. You will find them in the Resources folder: Resources > Displace Filter.

Important First Step!
Displacement maps require two images of the same size and resolution. Select and size the two images before doing anything else. This example uses a flag photo and a closeup of a woman's face that have been sized to match:

flag

  

face

flag_face-sized.psd
The image to be integrated into the contours of face photo.

 

face_flag-sized.psd
The image into which the content of the flag photo will be integrated.

 

Preparing the "Source" image (photo of woman's face)

  1. Image > Duplicate

  2. Convert to grayscale

  3. Filter > Blur > Gaussian.

  4. Increase contrast with appropriate tools and procedures as needed.

  5. Save as face-gray-blur.psd
   grayscale, blurred version

 

Applying the "Target" Image

  1. Open flag_face-sized.psd

  2. Filter > Distort > Displace

  3. Set Horizontal Scale to 25%

  4. Set Vertical Scale to 25%

  5. Set Displacement Map to "Stretch to Fit"

  6. Set Undefined Areas to : "Wrap Around"

  7. When prompted, locate and select face-gray-blur.psd.
  

 

The content of flag_face-sized.psd is merged with the image in face_flag-sized.psd.

The flag image contains lots of wavy distortions.

This is an interesting effect in itself, but the next few procedures will result in a much more subtle merging of the two original images.

  

 

Adjusting the Final Appearance

  1. Open the original RGB version of face_flag-sized.psd.

  2. Copy and Paste face_flag-sized.psd into flag_face-sized.psd (it will appear in its own new layer).


  3. Locate this new layer above the layer with the merged content and set its blending mode to Multiply.


  4. Duplicate the Multiply layer, position it above the first Multiply layer and set its blending mode to Overlay.

  5. Duplicate the displace filter layer and erase any parts of the flag that interfere with the face photo, such as in the eyes, the mouth, and earrings.

  6. Turn off the visibility of the original displace filter layer.

  7. In the erased displace filter layer, set the fill to 25%.
  
 

Flag and Face merged  
The finished image

 

Layer Order - For best results, use the following layer order:

Top:

  • Overlay (a copy of face_flag-sized.psd).
  • Multiply (a copy of face_flag-sized.psd).

Bottom:

  • Target (the distorted image in which the Displace filter was used)

 

Possible Refinements & Adjustments:

  • Correct contrast with Levels or Curves adjustment layers and other tools as needed.
  • Adjust opacity of the various layers for different effects.
  • Use lower or higher percentages in the Displace filter .
  • Erase or crop unneeded areas of content from the Target layer.