Blending Modes are fun in Photoshop!

Hello and welcome to another Terrific Tuesday!

I have been using Photoshop now for several years, and it was not until recently that I decided to experiment with the blending modes.  One of the ones that I particularly like is the soft glow effect that you can create with it.  To me the glow simulates some of the effects that can be created with filter lenses on the cameras, however, my collection of lenses is not that big so I decided to practice with the software.

If you have never done it, don’t be afraid there are a lot of tutorials out there that can help you get started with the wonderful world of blending modes in Photoshop.  Look at some of the images and you will see that it is something that would enhance the way they look, and it might be something that you might want to explore with more detail.

both images:  www.photoshopessentials.com

For the images that I changed, the procedure was simple, of course it could be adjusted to fit your needs or the aesthetic value you might want to create with your own images.  My six steps were as follow:

1.      Once you open the image in Photoshop, duplicate the background layer and apply a Gaussian blur, (I used about 15% of the longest pixel side).

2.      Set this duplicate you created to multiply blend (from the layer style) mode and lower the opacity (I lowered mine to about 35%).

3.      Duplicate the altered layer.

4.      Desaturate the new duplicated layer and then set it to screen blend mode at 70% opacity.

5.      Include a hue/saturation adjustment layer to the Multiply layer to increase saturation (this is not the desaturated layer!).

6.      Adjust for shadow detail in the Screen Layer.

I have found out that if you use images with natural light, they seemed to be working better for me than the ones where I used strobes or hot shoe flash, let me know how it works for you.

Here is a tutorial of how to add a soft glow:

Adding a Soft Glow with Photoshop: http://www.tipsquirrel.com/adding-a-soft-glow-with-photoshop/

There are plenty of books and literature out there that can also help you with this topic, the one that I used when I started to practice with the blend modes is at the bottom of the page.

Drop me a line and let me know how your experimentation is going, are you having fun with blend modes?

Of course you are!!!

Until later, this is your Tuesday Ambassador wishing you all a great and happy, pixeled full day!

 Valentine, Scott.  The Hidden Power of Blend Modes in Adobe Photoshop.  2013.  Print.  Peachpit.  California.

Don't be afraid of Manual Mode

I was recently reminded of a website that I had seen some time ago regarding how to use your camera in manual mode.  There was a time (not that long ago) that the concept of setting the shutter and aperture all by myself was a very foreign, and scary concept.  After a lot of reading and experimentation I finally learned how shutter speed, aperture and ISO rating all effect the exposure of an image and what changes to the image can be seen with a change in each function.

While I could sit here and explain it all, I will save you what I'm sure would be the worst technical explanation ever and just point you towards the Canon Outside of Auto website.  It is a Canadian website, but I'm not going to hold that against them.  On the site you can adjust virtual camera settings and then take pictures of a scene with a moving object.  This gives you plenty of opportunities to see what each function of the camera does given the shooting situation.  There is even a challenge mode that tests your ability to shoot 6 specific shots.  I completed it 6 of 6 in 1:12.  See how good you can do...

Go on, get out of the green box....

now!

Adobe Photoshop - The Professional's Resource

Saturday Ambassador

Creating art is a very personal endeavor, even when it is at the behest of a client and involves their input. The outcome is a representation of the artist's vision, as it applies to that project. As artists, we have myriad tools at our disposal with which to create, particularly in this day and age, and it is both sensible and productive to utilize them.

One of the most powerful resources available to the contemporary photographer is Adobe Photoshop.

Many students, and even some professionals, feel intimidated by the complexity of the program and, thus, avoid it. As students, we have a remarkable advantage in that we may purchase software such as this through Journey Ed at an incredible 85% discount. Also, the Art Institute offers a free short course, which addresses the fundamentals of Photoshop.

Perhaps an even greater advantage is access to the Lynda.com tutorials. The Art Institute maintains a subscription with Lynda.com that allows students full access to this resource.

1.    From any assignment page, click the tutorial link:

 

2.    Select a tutorial from the Lynda.com section. Any link will do, as you may search for a specific program or topic on the site.

3.    Create a user name and password so that you may access all the features of the site.

4.    Search for a topic or program and experience the wealth of information contained within this site.

Learning the basics will place you on the road to success with Photoshop, and practice will allow you to refine your skills. This remarkable tool will facilitate transforming the mundane into the extraordinary with minimal effort.

Transport Power, Deva Mayorga-Malone, 2013, Digital Composite

 

 

~Saturday Ambassador

Sources:

"Adobe Photoshop CS6 Logo". Photoshop Travel.com. 2013. Web. August 2, 2013. <http://www.photoshoptravel.com/ how-to-change-background-in-my-template/>

"Software Purchase". Journey Ed.com. 2013. Web. August 2, 2013. <http://www.journeyed.com/dept/Software/284008>