Most of you will probably remember this photo that I had posted during the last snow theme. I wanted to post it again and share the technique I used to create snow. Here are the original and final images for comparison.
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Most of you will probably remember this photo that I had posted during the last snow theme. I wanted to post it again and share the technique I used to create snow. Here are the original and final images for comparison.
After desaturating the image except for the cardinal, I selected the areas on the branch that I wanted covered with snow using the lasso tool. I then made that selection the layer mask for a white fill layer, blurred the layer mask a little, and then made a levels adjustment on the mask so that the edges were sharp but smooth.
I added the snow on the bird by creating another white fill layer, adding a layer mask to hide it, and then painting on the layer mask with a soft brush. I then used levels same as I did on the other snow layer.
I then added the following layer styles to the snow layer for the branch: Bevel and Emboss, Bevel and Emboss - Texture, and Pattern Overlay. The image below shows the settings that I used for each.
For the snow on the bird, I added the same layer styles though I reduced the depth of the Bevel and Emboss to 31% and lowered the shadow mode opacity to 68%.
Here's how the image looked after adding the layer styles to the snow.
Next step is to add a few shadows. I added a shadow right around the bird by painting on the layer mask for a black fill layer with the layer for the snow on the branch as its clipping mask. I then added some shadows around the snow on the bird using another black fill layer which I placed underneath the snow layer.
Finally, I added several layers of falling snow using this tutorial, link, and that's it. Here's a larger version of the final image. I hope you all find this helpful!
Bloody amazing what can be done in PS. It is almost overwhelming for those learning the basics. Chris, thanks very much for sharing. Where are you giving those CS5 classes? :cool: :cheers:
Christopher, that's an amazing transformation. I don't have CS5 so I'm not sure I can duplicate the steps with Elements but I'll give it a try. Thanks for the snow link - I know I can do that with Elements. If it weren't so dry here, it'd probably be snowing - we'll be in the 20's tonight in sunny Florida:)
I'm not that good yet, Jay. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Jay Gould
Cheryl, I use Photoshop CS2. I'm not familiar with Elements, so I have no idea if you'd be able to do this in it. It's currently snowing up here in Mass, just a dusting so far(thank goodness! :)).Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheryl Slechta
Thanks again Christopher. I'm adding this thread to the workflow sticky. :cool:
Christopher, Excellent tutorial and I remember this one from last year. Very nice application and the addition of the shadows is a nice finishing touch!
Wow! Good work! Thanks for sharing this tutorial. I don't think I have the patience for it, but I'm glad to have the link to the snow tutorial.
Christopher, Thanks so much for the detailed tutorial. Your Cardinal looks great. I will have to give it a try.
