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Studio lighting can be quickly and easily dramatized by blending multiple layers. Duplicate a layer with a subject by pressing Command – J (PC: Ctrl-J). Desaturate the new layer, then adjust the Levels dialog (Command – L [PC: Ctrl-L]) to create a strong contrast. Now, apply a Gaussian Blur (Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur) to the new layer and set its blend mode to Overlay, which amplifies the saturation of the base colors, while retaining the tonal contrast of the new layer. This effect can provide a strikingly more provocative sense of depth with very little effort.
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Corey shows you how to create a 3D animation form 2D elements using Photoshop CS4 Extended. Click here to download a .MOV file with the final version of this animation.
This effect was discovered by a ‘happy accident’ and uses the 3D features inside of Photoshop CS4 Extended.
Further experiments into what you can do with texture images in Photoshop.
Create and animate a 3D wireframe using Photoshop CS4 Extended.
Sometimes our best creations happen by pure experimentation and accident. Sitting in front of a Photoshop file, you are 40 History States in, and then it happens…magic! You really want to be able to get back to that moment. To do so, make sure that you turn on the History Log checkbox in the General Preferences (Photoshop>Preferences>General [PC: Edit>Preferences>General]). You can save the information as metadata, as a separate text file, or both!
Karol Ryan said on — June 29, 2009 @ 4:29 pm
nice, very nice!
Oh, the Drama. Free Photoshop Elements Action. | Digital Photography for Moms Pingback on — July 3, 2009 @ 1:02 pm
[...] Photoshop featured a Tip of the Day last week on creating light depth with layer blending. I loved it and created an action based on this [...]
Erin said on — July 4, 2009 @ 6:53 am
Great tip. I converted it into a free, Elements friendly action, it anyone would like it. The address is http://digitalphotographyformoms.net/2009/07/03/oh-the-drama-free-photoshop-elements-action/.
Thanks for all the awesome info!