cool stuff in photoshop- Learning thread

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

07/26/2006 08:15:10 PM · #1

I am starting this thread for a couple of reasons. I have had a few people ask me how I did some of the things on some of my photos, and in a recent thread people mentioned wanting a thread like this.

I would like this thread to focus on cool things that lead to digital art vs some basic things like getting perfect color in photoshop, while some of that is an important first step to creating digital art, it can be better discussed in a different thread because many people aren't interested in things like this but could use basic photoshop skills. If someone Would like to start a thread like that please do as I'm sure I could learn lots about that too.

Let me start by saying that I am not even close to an expert. there are maybe 100 + photogs on this site that are much better at the things I would like to discuss in thread.I am still learning and experimenting with most of this and thought I would share things I know to try to help others. I really hope that many others will follow my lead and post some new techniques. If you have a better method for what I post by all means post it. you won't hurt my feelings.

So in this first post I will go over how to create a "grunge" brush.
first thing to do is to take a picture of some grunge. here is one of mine. it is a dirty piece of concrete behind my store.

Next thing to do is to desaturate it using the desaturate function under image > adjustments. then use the brightness/contrast to boost the contrast. I used 40 and got this

now select a portion that youwould like to use and hit control C to copy.

next create a new image with a white background. then create a new layer and paste.

next use a rough brush eraser to work around the edges.then i used a soft brush to clean around the edges.

now go to edit and define brush. name your brush and thier you go.

you can use the same picture to create many different brushes. here is one after i erased some more and lightend it by running a reduced opacity eraser over the whole thing.

here is a starting photo.

I always use the brushes in a new layer.you can change the opacity if you would like to make it more subtle. also use the brush window {f5} to rotate your brush to chang things up. also change the size of the same brush to get a whole new look.here is the same photo after using various grunge brushes on it.

here is the same photo from my portfolio which has some extras done to it that i will go over later if people are interested.

hope you enjoyed this and please share your thoughts and photos.

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

07/26/2006 08:22:03 PM · #2

This is great and really welcome. Would it be possible for you (and any others) to just add a line that says something like 'legal in advanced, not legal in basic' or whatever? Like I assume this effect is not legal in either right?

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

07/26/2006 08:25:02 PM · #3

Originally posted by routerguy666:

to the extent I did this on my photo now it wouldn't be. the bottome one was said for sure to be illegal. the worry comes in on the major element rule.

wavelength

Nikon D300

07/26/2006 08:32:05 PM · #4

I need a cool stuff with RAW workflow thread :(

Lightroom hates my computer.

07/26/2006 08:36:08 PM · #5

Originally posted by wavelength:

I need a cool stuff with RAW workflow thread :(

Lightroom hates my computer.

i have a pretty nice computer and it hates mine too.

07/26/2006 10:12:15 PM · #6

bump for the night crowd

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

07/27/2006 09:00:47 AM · #7

Bump

xianart

Canon EOS-7D

07/27/2006 09:09:40 AM · #8

ooo, i'm looking at this thread too. i've had a few people ask how i did some things. when i've done with my show prep, i'll try to get some stuff up here.

suemack

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/27/2006 09:13:38 AM · #9

That makes a great brush! Will have to head out and see what interesting textures I've got outside.

otisXmike

Canon EOS-30D

07/27/2006 09:47:18 AM · #10

nice tip Elvis. I always want to make my own brushes... but usually end up being lazy and just use the ones I've collected over the years!

Here's my tip for using the Brushes window that you mentioned (F5)

playing around with the numbers for angle jitter and roundness jitter will randomize the rotation and shapes of your custom brushes... as you click and drag the brush will rotate and/or change size on it's own.

Message edited by author 2006-07-27 14:15:08.

Jaded_Housewife

Canon EOS-5D

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

07/27/2006 07:54:31 PM · #11

bump ;)

Revecca

Nikon D5000

07/27/2006 11:01:47 PM · #12

That's really interesting. Thanks!

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II

07/30/2006 11:51:44 AM · #13

Ok not much contribution going on:(

one thing to remember about brushes is that you can make actuall parts of a photo with them, not just enhance one. for instance,

I made this picture into a brush, well just the messed up part. i desaturated it and did as much USM as possible to give it alot more depth, then saved as a brush. then i used the brush on a photo of my chest in a new layer and coppied that layer 3 times

then i masked off the fingers (and the center space of the circuit borad inserted later

so you can see that a brush was made to look like i was ripping my chest open. i added a bunch of other stuff to get this (not terribly happy with it but that happens alot with experimenting)

redsunphotography

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

08/03/2006 05:05:05 PM · #14

I hope you don't mind if I steal your idea, and try to achieve the exact same thing. I am going to use your wall picture to make my brush and do it on my own chest. Not to submit to a challenge or anything, just to learn :-)

-Hideo

klstover

Panasonic DMC-FZ8

08/03/2006 05:15:11 PM · #15

Originally posted by Elvis_L:

then i masked off the fingers (and the center space of the circuit borad inserted later

How did you get to this from the previous step? I understand how to make new layers, and I understand the *principle* behind erasing parts of layers.... but "masking off the fingers" would be something I could not do in practice. (I use Photoshop)

I have been trying to learn this for a while so if you (or others) have tips I'd be quite thankful!

Message edited by author 2006-08-03 17:16:48.

Elaine

Canon EOS R5

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS II USM Lens

08/03/2006 05:16:50 PM · #16

I'm not contributing, but I am learning! Please keep this going and add to it. I don't have time to experiment right now, but I am storing all this away for the future!

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

08/03/2006 07:07:34 PM · #17

Originally posted by klstover:

Originally posted by Elvis_L:
then i masked off the fingers (and the center space of the circuit borad inserted later

How did you get to this from the previous step? I understand how to make new layers, and I understand the *principle* behind erasing parts of layers.... but "masking off the fingers" would be something I could not do in practice. (I use Photoshop)

I have been trying to learn this for a while so if you (or others) have tips I'd be quite thankful!

does this help?

and to everyone feel free to take what I have here. make you own brushes etc. Please if you are trying thsi stuff post your experiements in this thread

klstover

Panasonic DMC-FZ8

08/08/2006 03:20:26 PM · #18

Originally posted by Elvis_L:

does this help?

Yes, I think so. I have tried something like this before and didn't get good results - I think I was doing the paintbrushing step, but not anything that that you mentioned on the layers window.

I'm going to try things again. Thank you SOOO much.

Oddfrog

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

08/08/2006 03:33:14 PM · #19

Thanks for starting this!! I've been waiting...

ChikaZAWa

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

08/17/2006 10:57:53 AM · #20

i'm loving this thread... keep up the great teaching GA brethren ;)

BUMP

mandyturner

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

08/17/2006 11:18:30 AM · #21

I love this tips!!! It would fit my personality better if I had a yorki coming out of my chest. small and loud! Or, just a bitch at heart!!! LOL

tapeworm_jimmy

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

08/17/2006 11:20:39 AM · #22

sweet, I like where this thread is going. Thanks everybody!

ChikaZAWa

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

08/17/2006 05:43:31 PM · #23

i cant get my brushes to work... I define them... and when i go to the brushes menu everything is shaded (in other words, i cant click them)

tapeworm_jimmy