Digital Art Secrets

What do you think of the Cotton Carrier StrapShot?

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 06:55:42 GMT

This looks like the PERFECT solution for when I want to go for a hike or carry my camera backpack with my full kit...BUT have my camera out and ready for access to get those once-in-a-lifetime shots. I was looking at getting the Capture Clip before what I like about the Cotton Carrier StrapShot is that I can take the camera out with one hand. It's another good thing that they have a safety tether in case my hands are slippery. (Gets humid here.) Anyway, will find out next month when mine arrives. Placed a pre-order to save $20 and got free shipping!!! What do you guys think about the StrapShot?"

Starting your own "art print" website

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:18:27 GMT

Has anyone started their own art print website featuring your own work?

Plugged In V2.01

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:08:05 GMT

With all of the "improvements" that Fotki has been trying to make the last few months, we have lost some of the source information from my original thread. This is by no means a comprehensive list of what is available, but in most cases, I will have personal experience with the items mentioned. Plug-ins are programs that can be added to Photoshop and other similar programs help save time and increase cool. They can range in price from FREE to “OMG, that is more than I paid for my computer!”. They can be more addictive than crack cocaine, and only provide support groups to the junkies.. not those wanting to leave the lifestyle. So here are some links to some cool stuff. I hope to show you some examples in action the next few days..

PHOTOSHOP ADDICTION

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:36:28 GMT

Tips and tutorials on NOT photoshop only but any editing software people might use. Not claiming to be a pro but am always glad to share what I know. Also I know there are REAL pro-photoshoppers around here so if there is any chance we can earn a bit of their wisdom it would be much appreciated if they could share some of those secrets they use.. Pretty please?.. :-) MINE you can find here: http://public.fotki.com/voodooartz/ You all are always welcome to ask for any tutorials you might need (and I am "educated" enough to make) :-) Cheers, Arti

Photoshop Club ?

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:31:21 GMT

Hi everyone! It is not a secret that photoshop takes a sufficient place in post production even if this is just a picture for a family album. I thought maybe it would be nice to have a place where we can develop our creativity and knowledge. A place where those who are willing to share can post a tutorial or simple tricks&tips or just ask a question. There will not be "the teacher" there, instead - some kind of photoshop club where everyone can find something interesting and useful and maybe give something back. You can create an album and post a tutorial or mini-lesson. You can discuss things on forum. You can upload your images to the Gallery to show others your work. You do not need to be a professional. If you are a beginner in photoshop - you are Welcome! This is a place where you can take a good start in your digital adventure. How it works? It is easy.I thought we can use fotki feeds feature. I have a premium account (the one I am logged in while typing this - Voodooartz) where I have already started some "sharing" and which I could "donate" for public use. Once you decided to "join the club" - drop a note in the Guest Book and you will be added to the friends list and then account permissions will be set to allow you to create albums. And then you can start posting pictures and questions! Why I think it is a bit more convenient then using current forum - because most people feel more comfortable with using account pages when it comes to uploading images and posting comments. Also, it is easier to create for example an album dedicated to one topic and then discuss problems in comments under the images. Anyway, this is what I thought would be nice to have and to do. Those who would like to be a part of it - please join. Those who like to go on their own and not willing to share - it is ok to just ignore my message. This is only MY thoughts and I am opened to discussions about if this is a good idea at all. Please leave a comment with your opinion, either - positive or negative. Thank you! Era

And Where Are The Secrets??

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:08:11 GMT

I expected to find some dark secrets here but it is empty... :-( Should I start first since nobody else is brave enough?.. :-) #1 - Secret Of a... ..anything in particular you would like to know?.. I don't know where to start..(if you are interested in it at all) :-)

my Fotki backgraund..

Thu, 20 May 2010 11:51:31 GMT

hello everyone.. :) I want to ask, and also can help me maybe.. Is it possible to change fotki background not from fotki gallery, but from own PC hard disk? mm? :) like new background on desktop when we want to change on own computer desk... thanks for answers all !!! ;)

I would just like to know.......

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 09:35:35 GMT

how to put color in certain areas on a black and white photo. I have searched and searched and cannot find a definitive explanation. Thanks, Kathy

SHOW & TELL

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:01:58 GMT

This is an area where you can SHOW creativity - by displaying work made from digital programs used to manipulate photos, create drawings, make paintings, create fractals, etc. Then TELL us something about the image - maybe how it was made, or program used, or the message it conveys. Beginners are very welcome, especially if you are seeking a place for displaying your creativity as your skills develop. Maybe this will be a place to seek inspiration, or perhaps just somewhere to view digital art which doesn't look like a supreme photograph, instead, these images will be very different to photographs. If you wish to watermark your work, do so... & if you use parts of other graphics not made totally by you, you are responsible for finding the correct copyright permission. Items and discussions need to conform with Fotki's requirements for using this forum, of course. This is not a competition - it's a place to SHOW & TELL. I'm no expert - I'm just the one who started it... for all. Blessings, Julie

software to make the flash slide show

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 03:03:55 GMT

hello,i am new here,anybody here knows some software which can ture photos into flash slieshow? i have tried http://www.flash-slide-show.com/flash-slideshow-sample.html#208 I would like to hear more ,so i can choose.thank you all.

Headlights

Fri, 8 Jan 2010 20:06:58 GMT

This is for Keith. First photo is just me making a picture smaller and fitting it into the space. Second photo, going to "Layer" then "Layer Style" and selecting "bevel and emboss". This adds a little depth to the edges. Then reduced the opacity on the layer itself to about 65%... flatten layers.. upload..

Something simple - playing with gaussian blur

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:05:07 GMT

This could be a useful forum, but nobody posts here. Here's a simple technique, very easy and fun to try. Knowledge level/complexity = beginner. a) create a duplicate layer b) apply gaussian blur 15-25% until the image is really blurred, but you can still somewhat recognize what's there. c) choose blending options (in ps3 menus - layer/layer style/blending options) for different effects - screen - will simulate softar filter and lighten the image overlay or soft light - well, you'll see what comes out :)... Important - to control the effect - you need to play around Opacity and Fill Opacity sliders. Usually you wouldn't want them at 100%. Moderation is the key :))) flatten layers once you are done. cheers

Digital Art Contest?

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:04:47 GMT

So.. the digital art contest is loosing its favor. It started out decent and its second week did better than its first. Since then, the number of entries has declined, this week to its lowest level since the contests started. Why? If I had to venture a guess... I would say that it is probably the comments of the "digital artists" making the rest of us feel uncomfortable. "Artists" who leave comments on every photo that does not meet THEIR definition of digital art, or where the digital work is not obvious. Maybe it is payback for all the times excellent work has been entered in one of the weakly contests and some "photographer" leaves a nasty comment about "this has been photoshopped!" So, with the DA contests possible death on the horizon, anybody care to have a discussion about this HERE.. instead of arguing in the contest comments? What is "digital art"? When does a photograph cease being a photograph and become "digital art"? Is there such a point at all? Lets chat...!!!

Infrared film look

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:49:44 GMT

http://www.photoshopessentials.com/photo-effects/infrared-photo/ ^ For black and white infrared. -and- http://www.dpnotes.com/infrared-look-photo-photoshop-tutorial/ ^ Color infrared :D

Getting Plugged In

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 04:17:35 GMT

As requested, I am going to start a little discussion about "Plug-Ins". What, when and why. This discussion will assume that you have a program that supports Photoshop plug-ins. If you are a Photoshop purist.. you may want to skip this. You and I both know that everything that can be done with a plug-in can be accomplished in photoshop without it. Awesome.. I am glad that you have that you have that skill set and that kind of time. This thread will be for those that have not yet built that skill set, that don't have that time in their lives, or would rather spend their time taking photos then working on the computer (but still want professional results).

Another way to add a gallery-style border to your pictures

Mon, 4 May 2009 15:31:45 GMT

This was originally posted in the fotkins' collective wisdom forum, but it makes more sense here, so I'm cross-posting it. =============================================== Because Punky-do (and a few others) asked, here's a quick walkthrough for how I put the gallery-style borders around some of my images. I use Adobe Photoshop CS3, but the same basic principles should apply for any version of Photoshop 7 or above. Probably before that, too, but I digress :) First, open the image which you want to border: Next, duplicate the layer containing the image (by pressing Ctrl+J on Windows, or Command+J on Mac). The layers palette should then look like this: Next, extend the canvas around your picture by an inch (I do this via the menus by clicking Image -> Canvas Size). Here's the menu: When the Canvas Size dialog box comes up, fill in the settings like this to add a 1/2 inch border around the edge of the existing picture: The picture should now look something like this: Now, add room for the text below the picture by adding an additional inch of border below the picture. Do this by bringing up the Canvas Size dialog again, and making it look like this: The picture should now look something like this: Now it's time to add the title text. Select the Type tool by tapping the T key (or by clicking the Text tool button in the tool palette): I use Gill Sans Light at 36 points as my font of choice for titles, but pick one that you like :) I also add space between the letters in the title by adjusting the tracking between the letters to something absurd like 800% of normal: Then I usually add another text layer with the name of my studio beneath the title in smaller letters, and adjust the tracking of the letters in that name so that the lengths of the two title lines match up with each other: After I add the text, I make sure everything is centered by selecting all of the layers and centering them with each other using the Layer -> Align -> Horizontal Centers command: Once I'm done, the image looks like this: There you go :) -- Aaron

Shop This!

Thu, 2 Apr 2009 00:33:02 GMT

“Shop This!” Digital Art Challenge. This game is not sponsored nor endorsed by Fotki. Shop This! Is a game or challenge where a single photo is offered to the group to fix, filter, manipulate, alter, composite, experiment, tweak, trick-out, or otherwise destroy using image editing software. The goal of Shop This! Is simple… to have fun and learn digital imaging techniques. My vision for these games goes something like this: I will post a full-sized picture to the forum. Participants will download the photo and have their way with it. Participants will then upload their renderings back to the forum for comment, critique, instruction and learning. All participants must be willing to explain the techniques, disclose the filter or plug-in used, or link to information or inspiration needed to reproduce what they have done. (That is where we get the whole learning thing!) I anticipate each game cycle to be about 2 weeks long. The Rules: 1. Download the full-sized photo from my folders. (When you click on the photo in the game, it will take you to the photo in the folder. Beneath the photo you will find the words “Get Original Uploaded Photo”. Right-click on those words and select the option to “Save Target As…” (If you are a Mac user, sorry.) 2. Manipulate to taste. I reserve the right to reject any re-entry that may have additions to the photo that I deem inappropriate for this game. 3. Create a new folder on your pages, upload your creation, and link it to the forum. Include a basic description of what you did to achieve it and know that you will likely get asked for more information. 4. If you are unwilling to provide additional information or instruction, this is probably not the place for you. 5. You are not allowed to comment on anybody else’s work until you have entered your own! 6. You are allowed to enter up to 3 unique manipulations per cycle. Please don’t submit just 3 color changes. In the interest of keeping things challenging, I may add themes, or “Difficulties” to a cycle. First challenge starting soon: http://forum.fotki.com/joeizuzu/ If you are willing to provide original photos for future rounds, please let me know!

Create a gallery-style matte and frame for your photo

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 12:13:36 GMT

I have published a tutorial on on how create a quick and easy gallery-style frame with matte, for use with Photoshop. I outlined steps using PS7, but I believe later versions are very similar and the same steps would apply. This would be your end result:

The tutorial is in my albums, at this location: http://public.fotki.com/Happened2crash/gallery-frame-tutorial/ Good luck and hit me with any questions or feel free to spell/ grammar check me as well!

Cloning - and not of humans

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 12:12:10 GMT

I have now completed a technique and tips tutorial on cloning for Photoshop. If you are interested, the tutorial can be viewed in my fotki site at : http://public.fotki.com/Happened2crash/clone/

PORTRAIT RETOUCHING

Fri, 9 Jan 2009 12:55:14 GMT

In The Beginning

Mon, 8 Aug 2011 17:00:05 GMT

"Before You Can Move The Earth, You Have To Know How To Start The Tractor" ... so let's start with some fundamentals. Even Houdini started with card tricks !! ================================================================ If you aren't intimately familiar with a Raster Graphics Editor ... such as Photoshop, PaintShop Pro, GIMP, Corel Paint, or similar platform, you need to get up to speed before you can enjoy creating significant digital art. Photoshop, without question, is the industry standard. Although many graphics packages have comparable and compatible interfaces/techniques/tools, Photoshop is the package which defines the industry. Although I am very familiar (even fluent, in some cases) with competing platforms, all "tips" and content I discuss will ASSUME photoshop CS2 or later -- unless otherwise specified. The vast majority of these concepts/tools/techniques are, however, cross-platform compatible and can be directly applied in many popular editing programs. I maintain nearly a dozen computers at home (don't ask), incl a Mac OSX platform, and most versions of Windows, so chances are I can answer most questions (or at least point you in the right direction). I will be happy to do so ... just ask. No such thing as a stupid question ... only stupid reasons for not asking a question. If, by chance, you post a Q here and I don't answer in a timely fashion, please leave me a tickler in my Guestbook .... sometimes I get absent minded with all the projects/fires I have cooking. OK ... let's check inventory .... You have your graphics package loaded and you're ready to do something cool. Or are you? Before we dive into Pixel Level Dodge & Burn, Multi Layer Calculations, Blended Clipping Masks, or the benefits of sharpening in LAB mode, let's take a sanity check. IF YOU ARE NOT COMPLETELY COMFORTABLE WITH ANY OF THESE CONCEPTS/TOOLS/TECHNIQUES, NOW IS THE TIME TO RAISE YOUR MOUSE !! The problem with blogging a forum like this is simply ... nobody knows the group's baseline "fluency level" with platform concepts. I cannot teach you how to competently do something advanced if you don't know the basics. Not knowing something is nothing to be ashamed of ... it's something to correct. Knowledge will set you free. ASK .... and you shall receive. ASK NOW ... if you do not understand any of these concepts/tools/techniques: - Layers - Adjustment Layers: Why They RULE !! - Layer Masks - Difference between Vector and Raster - QMM (Quick Mask Mode) - Magic Wand, Lasso, and other Selection Tools - Alpha Channels - Blending Modes - Setting "Levels" - Setting "Curves" - USM (UnSharp Mask) - GB (Gaussian Blur) - HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) - HPF (High Pass Filter) - History Brush - Clone (or Rubber Stamp) Tool - Eye Dropper or Color Picker Tool - Styles - Liquify Filter - What are "Plugins" and how do I install them ****************** I hope to return to this Journal regularly and post contributions (in separate Topics) which will build on these fundamental concepts/tools/techniques. I do not want to offer you a bottle of wine without a corkscrew to open it ... so THIS is the Journal thread where I will ask you to post questions you may have about any of the basics above. Future topics from me will build on the assumption you at least have an elementary understanding on all the above concepts/resources. Thanks ... and good editing !! Rich