Photoshop - Ultimate Tips for a Beginner

Photoshop - Ultimate Tips for a Beginner

Author: Gothir

This is a compilation of tips and hints for beginners, if you're intermediate or above, then it's likely none of this is of use to you, but read it anyway and comment - When doing the text, don't try to over complicate things. Simply use the eye drop tool to grab a colour from your render (or background if there's no render) and use that colour with TNR (Times New Roman). Once you progress to the stage where you're creating your own techniques, you can go crazy! - It's advisable to use a simple 1 pixel, black, border when you're starting out. When you get the hang of photoshop, you can start using a 'frame' border, where appropriate. This is done by doing New Layer (3 pixel black) > New Layer (2 pixel white) > New Layer (1 pixel black). - Lighting; you 'can' use curve layers but when you're starting out it's easier to use this method. New layer > Apply Image > Filter > Render > Lens Flare > Select a setting > Place it on your sig and set the layer to soft light. Nice and simple - This border is particularly good with abstract images. Use the rectangle marquee tool to draw a rectangle at the top of your signature, going from left to right. Fill it black, then copy the layer and move it down to the bottom of your signature. - If you like to have your name and a word or phrase on your signatures, try laying it out like this. Gothir (size 14-16) Forgiveness (size 10-12) Sizes shown are examples. - If you're resizing a render or image, be sure to hold down shift whilst doing so. This will hold the proportions of the image. To view the full list of tips and hints, you can visit this page; http://signatureshelf.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=13

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/visual-art-articles/photoshop-ultimate-tips-for-a-beginner-695438.html

About the Author:
Name: Liam
Age: 15
I run a general chat forum focused mainly on metal music called www.morbidskies.com
The biggest feature of my site is my exlcusive interviews with big name bands such as Tyr, Valient Thorr and Alestorm.

Photoshop - Blending a Render

Photoshop - Blending a Render

Author: Gothir

I didn't do pictures for it at the time because I was at my Dad's, but it's easy to follow without pictures There are unlimited ways to blend a render, this is just one of my favourites P.S. Some methods are more suited to others depending on the piece! Step 1: Highlighting the render Get the basic lasso tool and carefully draw around the object, it doesn't have to be that precise as it's different to cropping. Step 2: Feathering the render Press 'Ctrl+Alt+D', this will bring up a feather menu, feather it 10 pixels. Step 3: Blending the render Now it won't look any different yet, but if you go to the 'layers' window there is an icon at the bottom which looks like a small camera, hover over it and it should say "add layer mask". Click it. Step 4: Finishing off The layer should now be masked and the image blended. To finish off you can blur any areas you think need it but I usually don't need to, I always find adding line work a good finisher Some useful tips from my compilation which are relevant! - Lighting; you 'can' use curve layers but when you're starting out it's easier to use this method. New layer > Apply Image > Filter > Render > Lens Flare > Select a setting > Place it on your sig and set the layer to soft light. Nice and simple. Lighting can be a very effective method but needs time and practise. - If you're resizing a render or image, be sure to hold down shift whilst doing so. This will hold the proportions of the image. - Learn what all those tools in the toolbar on the left of your screen (left as default) are, and what they do. For more tutorials like this, visit www.signatureshelf.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/visual-art-articles/photoshop-blending-a-render-695439.html

About the Author:
Name: Liam
Age: 15
I run a general chat forum focused mainly on metal music called www.morbidskies.com
The biggest feature of my site is my exlcusive interviews with big name bands such as Tyr, Valient Thorr and Alestorm.

Photoshop - Using a Layer Mask to Blend Two Images

Photoshop - Using a Layer Mask to Blend Two Images

Author: Gothir

Hey This tutorial is based on using a layer mask to merge two images. Today, I will make this dinosaur appear on this beach, just into the water. Layer masks are very simple to use, and also very useful! They work on a black - white - gray system. This tutorial will explain further. Step 1: Getting the images Open your first image, in this case it's the beach. Then open your second image (in this case, the dinosaur) and move it onto the first image, this can be done by simply dragging it with the arrow tool! Step 2: Creating a layer mask As I said, layer masks make use of black, white and gray. To add a layer mask, simply click the rectangle with the circle inside; bottom of your layer window. Step 3: Hiding the excess areas We only want the dinosaur here, so let's get rid of the rest! Take the brush tool, with the brush tool we can use these colours; Black = hide White = unhide Grey = partially hide The shade of your colour decides the opacity of the area you brush. Brush black over the areas you want rid of, see what happens! Now, you'll have to zoom in (Ctrl + +/Ctrl + -) to get it done accurately... If you make a mistake, don't use undo, simply brush with white. Step 4: Opacity In this image, I want the legs to be in the water, this means I want their opacity lowered so it looks like the legs are under water. For this, we need a grey colour. Watch as I brush with the grey! As you can see, I've brushed grey and his leg now looks partially hidden! Having image hosting problems atm, Photobucket being bad! That's it done! For more such tutorials, visit us at www.Signatureshelf.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/visual-art-articles/photoshop-using-a-layer-mask-to-blend-two-images-695441.html

About the Author:
Name: Liam
Age: 15
I run a general chat forum focused mainly on metal music called www.morbidskies.com
The biggest feature of my site is my exlcusive interviews with big name bands such as Tyr, Valient Thorr and Alestorm.

Photo Frames – Displaying Photographic Moods Captivated

Photo Frames – Displaying Photographic Moods Captivated

Author: John Connor

Photo Frames make the photographs contained in it looking elegant. It adds beauty to the truth captivated in the form of an image to beat time. Human has always been encouraged by the beauty and pleasure of creativity. Photo Frames are good examples of such human skills. A photo frame can be considered as container added to a picture for enhancing its elegance. Moreover, it makes photographs easier to display and protect from being damaged. Photo Frames are made of different materials based on the requirement of giving those general or sophisticated look. The commercial purpose of these frames play a great role in choosing the raw materials and these vary among countries and cultures. Wood, glass and ceramics are commonly and largely used for making photo Frames. Other materials like sea-shells, aluminum, marble stones are also used in making frames. Texture, pattern and shape of photo frames also vary in wide range. Apart from classical rectangular or square shapes, there are many designs that make you wonder to collect designer photo frames to add beauty at your home. Sometimes, the designs enhance the beauty of the theme of the photographs making the whole thing very impressive. Photo Frames are not only used to decorate photographs but also paintings. Frames also have the purpose of protecting paintings and photographs. Generally, Photo Frames come with glass cover or transparent cover of good quality fibers. Using UV protected glass cover in these frames is also a common practice. Care is always taken while making Photo Frames so that there remains a gap between the glass cover and the photographs. This has to be maintained so that the painting or photograph inside is not affected in any way. Some paintings like those made in oil paint or acrylic needs no glass cover at all. Photo Frames are of different types conforming to the tradition, culture and requirements. ‘L’ – style frames are made with ‘L’ – shaped give the frame a good support. Shadow boxes, box frames, clip frames, photo cube are some varieties of photo frames. Macaroni Photo Frames are best accepted by children. LCD photo frame and Digital photo frame are the new sensation in the world of frames. With the advent of technology, now we can adorn our desktops with digital photo frames and can feel the charm of it. Photo framing can be done through Mat and Fillet patters. Mat is a paper-based flat material whereas Fillet is a kind of small molding. Today’s digital photo framing displays digital photos where no printing is required. Some of these support JPEG files and some support MPEG files. Though technology has changed the style and purpose of photo framing gradually, handmade paper Photo Frames still look very cozy and attractive in these.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/visual-art-articles/photo-frames-displaying-photographic-moods-captivated-697777.html

About the Author:
John Connor is the contributing writer of http://www.photo-frames.co.uk/. He is specialized in writing articles about Photo Frames , Silver Photo Frames, and Picture Frames

5 Unique Uses for Your Digital Photographs

5 Unique Uses for Your Digital Photographs

Author: Matt Jackson

The improvement in digital photography has been a virtual landslide in technological advances and ease of use. More advanced cameras, printers, and image editing software have combined with a greater number of online and desktop based services allowing you to store and manage photographs. However, while digital photographs often prove to be a more practical and convenient choice when compared to traditional 6 x 4 prints they aren't without their drawbacks.

Regardless of of the number of options that exist to store and share digital images, we tend to download them from the camera or memory card onto the hard drive and then forget about them. Gone are the more tactile practices of handing out family photos and sharing the memories that we've built up across a lifetime. Fortunately, as well as being able to store and share photographs in their digital format the improvement in technology and printing techniques has also seen other options open up to us. Here are five unique and highly effective ways of using your digital photographs.

1 – Photo Calendars

The photo calendar is a personalised calendar that includes thirteen of your photographs in any order you require. Starting and ending in the month of your choice they make perfect gift ideas as well as an excellent means to show off your own photographs.

2 – Photo Bags

A photo bag can be customised to include one or two of your images. By using a photo montage or having one created from your favourite pictures, you can even include a larger selection of pictures. Bags that can be personalised to include your photos include handbags and purses, carry alls and wash bags, and even laptop bags.

3 – Home Décor

There's a great selection of personalised home décor products that include photo wallpaper and roller blinds, folding screens, and various forms of wall art. Used to either add a splash of colour and a mass of personality, or as a great gift idea, personalised home décor is both attractive and unique.

4 – Photo Canvas Prints

You can create your own canvas art using digital photographs. While digital photos do tend to work best it is even possible to scan your old paper prints and have these turned into equally effective canvas prints to hang on any wall.

5 – Photo Books

Photo books are a more modern but equally effective method of showing off your family photos. Images are printed directly onto high definition satin paper with no borders and offering exceptional image reproduction. They can be used to bring back some of the social aspects of sharing photographs and even include a great display or storage tin.

These are just some of the ways that you can use digital photographs in order to create great looking, great quality photo items. Ideal as gifts or as treasured keepsakes for your own use, personalised photo items have many different applications as well as options.



Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/visual-art-articles/5-unique-uses-for-your-digital-photographs-699369.html

About the Author:
From photo canvas prints to personalised photo bags , Bags of Love is the website that has it all. We provide a selection of products that enable you to make great use of your digital photo collection.

Print Your Photo on Canvas

Print Your Photo on Canvas

Author: Matt Jackson

While home printers and digital image editing software has advanced at an almost alarming rate, the printing of canvases is still not something the vast majority of us can do at home unfortunately. However, it is possible to have your photo printed on a stretched canvas using high quality materials and the latest printing processes – the end result is a great looking and entirely unique piece of canvas art for your living room or any other room in the home.

Framed prints have long been the item of choice for displaying family photographs. The variety in size of canvas prints means that they can be used to show off photos of individuals or the entire family unit while ensuring that the picture is recognisable and incredible looking. Extra large canvas prints can even be created on canvases of up to five metres in length or you can print a single image over the space of two or more canvases to create an artistic and unique look.

Multi canvas prints offer an even more unique but equally exceptional looking option. Triptych canvases are among the more traditional way to do this, using a row of three canvases to display one picture. While multi canvas prints may not be ideally suited to photographs of people (the gap between canvases has a tendency to cut through the people subject of the photo) they are perfect for landscape shots and panoramic shots.

You don't have to stick with the use of your photo in its original state either. Some canvas art services will work to convert or reproduce your image into black and white or by applying a selection of other artistic processes to them. Among the most appealing of these design options is the conversion of a standard image into a pop art representation of that image; a fun and unique way to proudly display your photo.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/visual-art-articles/print-your-photo-on-canvas-699399.html

About the Author:
Send Bags of Love your photo, or photographs, and we will print them onto high quality stretched canvas prints . We can convert colour images into black and white, virtually any photograph into a pop art representation, or we can even create a photo montage of several of your pictures.