Artistic License Repost

[Gus Hallgren]

Hi Folks:

I posted this Cactus Wren I captured in my garden yesterday, I didn't really like it and had all negative CC's to boot . . . . . Soooooo . . . . attempted to use some artistic license in following thread after this original post ?

Uncle Gus aka Mad Artist :eek:

[Gus Hallgren]

Here's #1 Artistic License:

First I opened original post in CS4,
Made a duplicate layer
Then made background color light blue
Then I made foreground color white
Then Filter>Render>Clouds
Then clicked Add Vector Mask bottom of layers, third from left, rectangle with circle in it
Then so you can see where to paint out clouds, Click on Opacity (Top of Layer Window) drag opacity to 60%, then when finished painting you can drag it back to where it suits you.
Then I pressed "D" for default colors Black (FG) and White (BG)
Then selected Brush Tool large & soft, about 100 to start
Then used Black (FG) and painted over parts I wanted revealed, Cactus Wren & Aloe Vera plant
When painting with black if you make a mistake, just change to white and paint out mistake.
Saved it as .PSD to retain layers
Then clicked tiny down arrow on right top of layer header bar>Flatten Image
Then QM, select eye and lighten a bit>Flatten Image
Then filter>sharpen>USM, 27/1.0/0 for a tad of sharpening overall>OK.
Then File>Save for web & Devices>Adjust quality (under 200K)>Save (JPG for BPN

[Gus Hallgren]

Here's #2 Artistic License:

First I opened original post in CS4,
Made a duplicate layer
Then I pressed D for default FG & BG colors, clicked curved arrows to reverse colors with BG black
Then I clicked File>New>Used same measurements as Cactus Wren original 729 x 800 px & used background colour>OK
Pressed V (Move) holding down Shft (So both are exactly positioned the same) & dragged black BG over Cactus Wren.
Then clicked Add Vector Mask bottom of layers, third from left, rectangle with circle in it
Then so you can see where to paint out clouds, Click on Opacity (Top of Layer Window) drag opacity to 60%, then when finished painting you can drag it back to where it suits you.
Then I pressed "D" for default colors Black (FG) and White (BG)
Then selected Brush Tool large & soft, about 100 to start
Then used Black (FG) and painted over parts I wanted revealed, Cactus Wren & 2 Aloe Vera stalks
When painting with black if you make a mistake, just change to white and paint out mistake.
Saved it as .PSD to retain layers
Then clicked tiny down arrow on right top of layer header bar>Flatten Image
Then QM, select eye and lighten a bit>Flatten Image
Then filter>sharpen>USM, 27/1.0/0 for a tad of sharpening overall>OK.
Then File>Save for web & Devices>Adjust quality (under 200K)>Save (JPG for BPN

Any mistakes or ommissions sole responsibility of Uncle Gus. (Will float or beg bail money)

[Richard Waas]

Gus, I like the first repost best. It's amazing how difficult sounding PS is when you type out each step. I learned a step to sharpen after a bunch of adjustments instead of flattening. Push CTRL, ALT, SHIFT and "E" all at the same time and it creates a flattened layer enabling you to sharpen, but it keeps all the other layers. Once you've flattened the total palette, that's it, can't go back, unless you saved it as you did. Creating this flattened layer enable you to go back anytime and play around and the PSD file is sharpened, ready to do what yu wish, print, web, etc.

[denise ippolito]

Gus, I like the first post best as well. Once again thankyou for the instructions!

Richard, Thanks for the tip!

[Gus Hallgren]

Hi Richard;

Your tip is something I did not know . . . . Thank you very much, I'll have to try it.

However: If you have a bunch of layers, but don't want to flatten ~ a few more clicks
Highlight top Layer>Select>All>Press Ctrl+Shft+C to copy>Press Ctrl+Shft+V to make new layer that shows how image looks when everything is merged>Sharpen or do anything you want. Courtesy: Tim Grey

So much to do, so little time . . . .

Uncle Gus

[Alfred Forns]

Great tip Richard !!!!

Gus the digital creation looks better since it helps tame the harsh light !!! I think that same image as the sun comes up would be special !!!

[Gus Cobos]

I like it Uncle Gus..it does look better...Mr. Waas, thanks for sharing...:):cool:

[Gus Hallgren]

Hi Folks:

I like the first repost too. However, can you visualize a gorgeous flower in full bloom with the corners having branches, dead leaves etc, then use the black method, or even white, and painting the isolated flower out to suit your taste? I think it would look beautiful.

I re-did a few backgrounds on birds that no one liked finishing with a 40% opacity on rendered clouds. Looked great . . .

FWIW

Uncle Gus

[Lance Peters]

Hi Gus - definite improvement - Great Tip Richard :)

[Nonda Surratt]

Like the first of the creative ones best! Neat rundown on the post

Richards tip is command/option/shift/E on a Mac (merge visible) and a very neat!