Generate fake false color coded scientific graph effect

[Lewis J Boxer]

Hello,
I am looking to reproduce this affect (see attached), the kind of coloured weather report / satelite effect,



But want to copy it against a photograph

I hope this is enough to go on

 

[Tom Mann]

Start by painting some black and white blobs.



Smudge / warp / go crazy changing their shape / add more smooth blobby shapes / etc.



Apply a gradient map that looks something like this



To produce a final result like this.
(Note: I used Topaz Adjust to add the fake thin contour lines, but if you don't like them, just stop at the previous step.



Obviously, you can change the colors to your heart's content, but most scientific false coloring usually starts with cool dark tones for low values of the variable being mapped, and bright, warm tones for high values of the variable (eg, temperature, atmospheric pressure, etc.)

HTH,

Tom M