Layers. Friday 18th February 2011

An introduction to layers.

The three components of the top image are all on individual layers.

They have been re-sized , moved and flattened to create the final image above.

It is possible to copy a component that is selected within a layer by holding ALT whilst the object is selected and then dragging a copy of the object to its new location.

From the initial image above,

I have used some of the different selection tools to copy the individual vegetables.

Once they have been copied, I have pasted them onto a separate layer and renamed this layer. I have then moved the vegetables onto the chopping board and re-sized and rotated them to create the final image.

Original Image

The black and white photograph was added to this composite image by simply opening it and then dragging it across the screen into this image. The individual components of this image have then been rearranged and re-sized. A drop-shadow has then been added to each component to give the image more depth. The text SCRAPBOOK was also added using the text tool. This was also given a drop shadow.

Smart Filters

Original Image

Horizontal Motion Blur

Vertical Motion Blur

Filter-Stylize-Solarize

To apply a smart filter. Firstly, the area to have the filter applied must be selected.

Then use the command, FILTER - CONVERT FOR SMART FILTERS.

 Then the required filter can be added to the image.

Adjustment Layers.

 An adjustment layer can apply tone and colour adjustments to an image without permanently altering the final image. i.e. the adjustment is only on the adjustment layer.

The original colour image above has been altered with an adjustment layer. Firstly, to convert it to black and white. Secondly, to tint it using hue, saturation and lightness.

This can be achieved by using the command: LAYER-NEW ADJUSTMENT LAYER and then selecting the layer adjustment of your choice.

Levels adjustment.

Colour Balance Adjustment.

The 2 images above have also been adjusted using an adjustment layer.

Layer Mask 

 The above composite image has been created by combining the three images above and then by using a layer-mask, I have cut a shape out of the clouds the same shape as the man so that he ids visible in this image.

From the same original image, the salad items have been individually cut out and placed on the chopping board as before. Only this time, using the layer mask instead of the quick selection tool.

Int the last image above, a drop-shadow has been applied to the items on the chopping board.

Removing Wrinkles Using A Layer Mask

 To remove wrinkles from a subjects face. A duplicate layer should be created and a soft gaussian blur should be added to the copied layer. 

To apply a layer-mask. Copy the layer and depress they mask icon at the bottom of the layer palette. Then click on the layer-mask icon itself.

Using the layer-mask on the pigeon, a motion blur has been added to increase the impression of movement.

Blending Modes.

 

Monday 14th February 2011. Adjustments.

Today, we have been learning about the many different ways that we can adjust different aspect of an image in Photoshop such as: 


Levels 
Curves
Colour Balance
Red-Eye Removal
Colour Replacement
Match Colour
Hue & Saturation
Black and White
Photo-Filter
Filter Gallery
Fade

Level Adjustment.

The purpose of this exercise is to adjust the shadows, mid-tones and highlights to give a better tonal balance to the final image.

The command for this is:  IMAGES - ADJUSTMENTS - LEVELS

Tone-Curve Adjustment

A similar adjustment of the tonal values only this time using 

the tone-curve instead of adjusting the levels.

IMAGES - ADJUSTMENTS- TONE CURVE

  

In the above images, I have increased the contrast using the tone-curve.

A slight adjustment as in the second image 

and a very heavy adjustment as can be seen in the silver image above.

The same has been done for the images above. 

The original image has very flat and neutral colour-tones.

I have adjusted the 2nd image to give brighter and more contrasting colours.

For the image above, I have pushed the contrast too far to give this cartoon-like effect.

Colour Balance

The Colour-Wheel.

This colour wheel is used when trying to adjust a colour cast.

The opposite colour to the colour cast is applied to the image to eliminate the colour cast.

For example, if an image had a red colour cast, I would apply the opposite colour from the colour wheel in this case, cyan and this would neutralise the colour cast.

This is done by using the command: IMAGE - ADJUSTMENTS - COLOUR BALANCE.

This process must be applied to the shadows, mid-tones and highlights of an image.

Colour Casts.

Sometimes, an image will have what is known as a colour cast. For example, if the camera's white-balance was accidentally set to tungsten when the photographer was shooting outdoors in daytime sunlight. This would cause the image to have a blue cast.

Red-Eye Removal / Replace Colour

Red-Eye removal using the Red-Eye removal tool.

Sometimes this tool works very well as in this case with the rabbits. however, it is not always accurate enough so another tool is required.

The replace colour tool has been used
to retouch the image of the dog.
This  is done by using the command:
IMAGES - ADJUSTMENTS- REPLACE COLOUR
The eye-dropper tool is used to  both add to and subtract from the selection of the red part of the eye. Once this selection is correct, the area is the desaturated to remove the redness caused by the flash.

Replace Colour Tool 

The original image of the red car has been adjusted using the colour replacement tool to 

change the car to a light-blue colour.

The original image of the red flower has been adjusted 

to create the green and blue flowers as seen above.

Match Colour

Hue and Saturation

The above image has been desaturated. not to the point where the image has become black and white but enough to dramatically alter the mood of the image.

This is do by using the command:    IMAGE - ADJUSTMENTS - SATURATION.

Black and White.

It is possible to desaturate an image (to remove all the colour and turn it to black and white)  by using the command:  IMAGES - ADJUSTMENTS - BLACK AND WHITE. Using this command allows you to control the tonal values of the image.

I have altered the colour image above using the preset settings within the command 

IMAGES - ADJUSTMENTS -BLACK AND WHITE

In this command, I used 2 separate presets to create the images as seen above.

  

I started with the colour image above and by using the different colour sliders within the black and white adjustment, I was able to create these three dramatically different black and white images.