New Galaxy

I've had several people ask me how to create the "New Galaxy" effect I used in a recent Photoshop Challenge on the Photography Schoolhouse Forum. I got the idea from Advanced Photoshop Magazine but tweaked it to fit my needs.

1. Choose a picture with a dark background. This one is from stock.xchng.

2. Create a duplicate layer. Draw a shape in the dark area & erase everything else on the top layer.

 3. Click on FX > Outer Glow. Here are the settings I used.

4. Flatten the layers.

5. Filter > Render > Lens Flare > 35mm prime. Move center of lens flare to middle of green glow.

Hope that answers your questions. If you're not already a member, join in the fun at www.photographyschoolhouse.com. Share your pictures & your photography

questions and answers. You can also contact me at karenmillerphoto@gmail.com.

photo frames, masks & edges

Got the plain photo blues? Want to dress up your pics? Try downloading some frames and edges from http://www.photoduds.com/. Here are some samples from their Ambience collection. We'll start with a plain picture from stock.

TIPS FOR USING PHOTO MASKS

• Open the photo mask
• Drag the picture on top of it
• Ctrl T to resize mask to fit, press Enter to finish.
• Click on the photo layer. Go to Layer > Create Clipping Mask
• Click on mask layer to adjust fit, move mask around as needed
• Paint on mask layer with a black brush to remove pattern from faces & skin
• Flatten layers

Here's a picture of the photo mask that was used to create the picture above. Find more photo frames, masks & templates at http://www.photoduds.com/ . 

Experiment, have fun & contact me if you need help.

karenmillerphoto@gmail.com

Remember to log onto http://www.photographyschoolhouse.com/ to talk to other photographers, ask questions, view the latest webinars and post your favorite pictures. 



Express yourself

Why limit yourself to just one business card - carry several in different sizes, shapes and designs so that you have one for every occasion.

Have you ever found yourself in a group and needed a conversation starter? Throw out the rules and create a card that's fresh and new. Save your boring old business card for boring business situations.

Photoshop Game

This was my latest entry in a Photoshop before/after game with several photographer friends. Normally we make people younger in Photoshop so today's challenge was to make someone look older.

The before picture is a stock image from Deviant art.com http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=&section=&q=sisters.III#/dfmmlv.

Stretched picture

Cropped

Extended dress

Darkened picture

Liquified face, arms, fingers & dress

Smoothed complexion

Cropped & cloned background

Added old book, hotel stamp & flourishes

Good game, everyone!
Karen