Shapes

option #1

option #2

I had seen photos cut into really neat shapes, and I just had to figure this one out. Photoshop comes installed with several shapes. All you need to do is open a photo or scrapbook element. Click on your shapes tool, then drag it across your photo. Move the photo around inside the frame and resize to taste. Sounds easy enough.

But what if you have an element that is not a shapes file.....and you want the photo to lie within the shape of that element?

First I open the blank document and add the shape ontop of it. I place it where I want it. Now I need to remove the white part of the shape. So I click on my magic wand tool and click on the white space. It should select the white area. Now I just hit delete and the white area is now transparent (checkerboard). Now I will flatten all images. Now, I double click on the only layer (the background layer) and rename it anything I want. By renaming it, It isn't locked anymore. I click on 'make a new layer' and drag that layer below my original layer. I add my photo to that new layer. Because this layer is below the layer with the shape, the photo is peaking right through it, just like a frame. Tricky, but once you got it, you got it. I just love these bracket frames.

To download more shapes, check out www.ladyoak.com. She has more than just shapes so check it out.

Bokeh and my new Nikon50mm f1.4

------------------------------------------------------------------Bokeh simply means when the background is blury....in otherwords, it is the out-of-focus area typically in the background. This allows the photo viewer to focus on the primary subject and not the distracting background.

So in the photos below, I wanted to get some Halloween pics of my daughter, but didn't want to travel for the 'photo shoot', so I did these in fron of my house, and using my new lens.......................the Nikon 50mm f1.4, which I love, it has such a high aperature, it is great for portraits. It allows the subject full focus and the background the BOKEH.

------------------------------------------------------------Now in this photo, because my daughter is standing very close to the background, then it is going to be in focus as well, though.

This lens is so fast, and is great for low light situations. I love the shallow depth of field it provides. I just have to get used to not zooming in, as it is set to f1.4.

CliPpinG MasKs and Using a Brush as a Die-Cut

In my previous post titled 'How to get grundgy edges', I discussed using clipping masks as an option. As you can imagine, clipping masks can come in any design. In the below photo I picked an orange color from the photo to use with my clipping mask, so that the photo blended well together. See my tutorial from the previous post on how to use clipping masks.

Obviously, in the two photos below, I used a white colored clipping mask.I used the photo below for the FIRST image you see in this post. Once I attached the clipping mask, I dragged this image onto a white blank document. I added a dark scratch overlay (using a layer mask to erase the effect of the overlay from the photo) and then added some fun text.

I subscribe to thedigitalscrapbookteacher.com. I own her book which is where a lot of this started. (See my previous post titled 'computer smarts???? Here is a Start'. Each month she emails a newsletter with great scrapbooking tips. Here is her latest one. If you like it, subscribe at her website for more.

Open your software and open a new blank document at 300DPI, white background, RGB color.

Click on the 'new layer' icon in your layers pallette.

Now, pick a brush and stamp it directly onto that new layer. In this example a SEA HORSE will be used.

Now, open a paper of your choice (this example is using a flowered brown paper). Once opened drag in down onto the brush stroke in the project bin. It will appear that you have two pieces of paper open in the project bin, but if you look to the right in your layers pallette, you will see 3 layers, with the paper layer on top (which is why you can't see the Sea Horse brushstroke anymore)

Now, with the paper layer selected click CTRL+G (which will group it with previous). You paper has now taken on the shape of your brush.

Backgrounds for photos

Sometimes if I want a great close-up portrait, then the background isn't that important because I use such a high aperature, the background is usually so out of focus, but for full body shots I love finding fun backgrounds. I am into rustic, urban, distressed backgrounds. In these photos I used an old fence, an old tractor, and this Star fence.

other projects to do with photoshop

Yes I use photoshop to enhance pictures, make digital scrapbok layouts, but I use it for EVERYTHING. I even use it in replacement for Microsoft Word sometimes.

Here is my list of things I do with it:

1.make business cards. In photoshop, I can turn the rulers and grids on, so that I can measure exactly how big each card should be. I can use differnt fonts, brushes, etc. to decorate it.

2.make Cards. I LOVE THIS. I make valentines card (see below), Halloween card, even our family Christmas Card. Why use a pre-set design from costco that everyone else might use. This way I know my design is unique.

3.Announcements like baby announcements.

4.Invitations. You can type all the details for where, when, etc. with cute picture and background design. Or check out these book labels or gift tags.

5.Labels for parties. I've made labels for an ice cream buffet one for the flavors, the condiments,etc). I've downloades FREE labels from eatdrinkchic.com, like this one below. And I printed it on sticky paper and adhered it to cute oil and vinegar bottles and gave it away as a gift.

6.I even use it to make "tickets" to a 'dinner-cruise-theme party' (see below). I print on a heavy cardstock, then cut them out.

And the list could go on. If you haven't purchased PSE by this point, think again.