Pixelation testing with hexagons

For this series of tests I have been playing with hexagonal pixelation. The results shown here are exaggerated compared to what a print or a high high definition image would be; this is to demonstrate what is happening.

First we start with the original image (for this post, it is resized to 600px wide):

original image websize

Now we ‘hexelate’ it with hexagons of about 6 pixels on the side:

basic hexelation

An interesting effect, I think. Now, by using a graphics programming language to manipulate individual pixels I can get this:

with pixel manipulation

At first glance this looks like a Photoshop blend of the first two images, but it isn’t, individual pixels have been manipulated to create the blending effect – you would need to examine this at full resolution to see this. You may be able to discern (especially where the image joins the black border) a pattern in the pixels.

Interesting effects can be seen by increasing the hexagon size:

big hexagons

But, as before, this can be blended with the underlying image to give:

big hexagons blended

But this doesn’t work so well.

An interesting exercise that presented me with lots of challenges in the programming of this graphics language that I am still learning.

Author: Paul L.G. Morris

I am an amateur photographer whose photography is mostly of gardens, nature and the rural environment. My specialities are close-ups, panoramic views, or a combination of both that I call 'Nearscapes'. I work mostly for my own interest having closed my business PM Studios Ltd.