Artistic Effects Using Photoshop

Photoshop Tips

Adobe Photoshop is a truly amazing and versatile graphics software program. I am by no means an expert in its use, but here are some things that I was able to accomplish with the program.

Make a Portrait from a Simple Snapshot

In the original snapshot, Maria was standing in front of a gray stone wall. The photo had an overall bluish tinge to it.

It was a nice snapshot but I saw that it had the makings of a beautiful portrait. This was to be for Maria's quinceañera - her 15th birthday "coming out" celebration. The family had chosen rose as the theme color for Maria's party.

First, using Photoshop's Paint Bucket tool "filled" with rose, I gradually got rid of the brick wall. Then I played with Image - Adjustments - (color) Curves to balance out the blue tinge without altering Maria's complexion too much.

Next I used the Patch tool to "cure" a pimple which had made a very untimely appearance for the photo shoot. Finally, I experimented with various Filters Photoshop provides and settled on Distort - Diffuse Glow which imparted the ethereal feel you see in the final version.

Maria's family was so pleased, they requested copies printed on canvas as gifts to give close family members and special friends. The tickets, invitations and programs also carried Maria's "portrait".

Playing with Tartans

If you, or friends, have Scottish or Irish heritage, here's a fun thing to do with Photoshop. My example is for Christmas but use your imagination. Below is the card I did for a friend who is a member of the McLean clan.

In my favorite greeting card program, PrintShop, I found clipart for a Christmas card with one large ornament and added the "Plaid Tidings" text in Kelt Wide font.

Then I searched the Internet for the McLean tartan and saved a swatch to my hard drive.

(It turns out there are four McLean tartans, so I had choices! I chose the one which looked the most Chirstmas-y.)

I opened the tartan into Photoshop and outlined a big circle using the Elliptical Marquee tool; then Select Inverse so I could cut away the excess; Edit Cut to leave just the circle.

Next I used Filter - Distort - Spherize which made the circle look three-dimensional and rounded. Finally I used Filter - Distort - Diffuse Glow to lend a shiny appearance. Once saved as a JPEG file, my tartan ornament was easily inserted into the card front I had created in Printshop.

I simply needed to position it over the existing ball in the clipart; squeeze it into an oval using the sizing arrow on the top or bottom; and adjust the size to match using one of the corner arrows.

You can achieve some really original effects, even if you're just starting out. You can't break anything. The worst you can do is lock up the computer and have to reboot.

Please visit Greeting Card & Graphics Programs for Crafters, where I describe some of the best and easiest to use graphics programs available for crafters.