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photoshop: Photoshop Elements Selection Tools: The Magnetic Lasso - 12/25/07 10:01 AM
Merry Christmas, Photoshoppers. Here's a little gift for you. :-)
I confess. I don't even try to use the standard Lasso. It's beyond my limited skills.
The Magnetic Lasso is a different story. The Magnetic Lasso senses the edge of the object you are outlining, and snaps itself to that edge.
To try it out, first open the image file containing the object you want to select.
Click on the Magnetic Lasso Tool. If you only see the standard Lasso, click on the tiny arrow in the lower left corner by the Lasso icon. That will bring up the … (30 comments)
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photoshop: Create Image With Transparent Background - 12/08/07 06:53 AM
I'll put the little fish to work one more time before moving on to the magnetic lasso.
Suppose you need an image with a transparent background for your website or blog. A logo, maybe, and you need the background color or image of the web page to show right up to the edges of the logo, like this:
Instead of this:
Photoshop Elements Help files recommend using the background eraser. That works, but it can be time consuming. Here's one quickie way to create an image with a transparent background:
First I opened up the fish-mailbox image. Click on the magic wand.
Click the magic wand … (33 comments)
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photoshop: Photoshop: Blending Mode: Easy Way To Dodge And Burn - 11/17/07 07:00 AM
In an old school photographic chemical darkroom, the terms "Dodge" and "Burn refer to slectively lightening or darkening a portion of an image. The Dodge technique was used to lighten a portion of an image. The Burn technique was used to darken a portion of an image. The tools used for these techniques were rather large and cumbersome. (Also master photographers used them for years to create exquisite reults. Think: Ansel Adams.)
Photoshop/Photoshop Elements include digital Dodge and Burn tools, and while they are simple enough to use, many Photoshop artists prefer Dodging and Burning in Blending Mode. Why? With a blending … (11 comments)
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photoshop: Photoshop Elements: Fast And Easy Blue Skies - 11/11/07 04:06 PM
The technique I posted earlier is handy for making the sky darker, but what if you want is a cheerful, bright blue sky?
The quickest route to a bright, blue sky, is simply replacing it.
This technique takes a little prep work. You'll need to shoot some photos of bright, blue skies. (Note to self: Next time I'm in Tucson, I need to take some more sky photos.) Or find some sky images on a royalty-free/creative commons web site.
OK. Once you have your sky photo, open it side by side with your property photo. Both images should be the same size. Resize one (or … (41 comments)
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photoshop: Photoshop Elements: Darkening The Sky - 11/11/07 07:04 AM
Yesterday, I brightened up a Possum here: Photoshop Elements: Screen Layers (It's easier than it sounds)
There's one problem with the final image, though. The sky is too light. How many Possums do you see out in bright daylight?
Here's a quick technique to intensify the sky in any image. Open the image in Elements:
Click on the Magic Selection Brush.
Click on the possum and roughly follow his outline, then "doodle" over the rest of his body. The idea is just mark over all his color variations. The purpose of this? We're going to apply some virtual "masking tape" over the possum, so … (14 comments)
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photoshop: Photo Editing Poll Results As Of 11/10/2007 - 11/10/07 08:38 AM
Here are the Photo Editing Software poll results as of Saturday morning 11/10/2007, 6:30AM PST.
I'm going to decide that, so far, this, confirms my plan to continue using Adobe Photoshop Elements 5 for tutorial posts. I'm thinking that owners of the newest full version Adobe Photoshop CS3, probably already know as much, if not more, as I do about using this fabulous software. :-)
If you haven't yet cast your vote, the poll is here:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/264955/Poll-What-Photo-Editing
… (7 comments)
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photoshop: Photoshop Elements: Screen Layers (It's easier than it sounds) - 11/10/07 06:36 AM
(I haven't yet checked the Photo Editing poll results this morning, so I'm sticking with my theory that creating these demos in Photoshop Elements 5 is a good idea.)
Screen Layers are an easy way to correct underexposure. Many Photoshop users correct underexposure by clicking Enchance -> Adjust Light -> Levels.
And that's fine. But next time you have a "too dark" image to fix, give this simple technique a try.
Open the image. One of my possums will model for this little demo.
I want to brighten him up just a little. Click Layer -> Duplicate Layer. (Just do it, don't worry if … (7 comments)
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photoshop: Poll Results - 11/08/07 07:43 AM
Here is a screen shot of the results of my little photo editing poll as of Thursday morning (11/08/2007) at 5:30 am. 19 votes have been cast so far.
If you have not yet cast a vote, the poll is here: http://activerain.com/blogsview/264955/Poll-What-Photo-Editing
Why do I care? I've been writing most of my little step-by-step photo editing technique demos showing Photoshop Elements 5, thinking it was probably the most common editor used by Active Rain members. I wondered if I was on the right track.
… (11 comments)
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photoshop: Poll: What Photo Editing Software Are You Using? - 11/07/07 08:40 AM
This poll was inspired by Mike West's comment here:
Are you working with Elements because it costs less than CS2, or now 3? Or because most of your audience are not interested in incurring that additional expense of going beyond Elements?
I frequently recommend to other REALTORS that they pick up a copy of Elements 4 because of the reduced expense and the amount of bang they will get for their buck (less than $ 50).
So, enquiring minds want to know.... What photo editing software are you currently using? If your current favorite is not on this list, please make note of … (30 comments)
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photoshop: Photoshop Elements: Case Study #3 - 11/06/07 08:30 AM
This was going to be a short post with a few additional photo editing tricks. But the Bad MLS Photo of the Day #22 that I snatched from Athol Kay's blog begged for more. Fasten your seat belts, this will be a long ride.
Here's the photo:
Biggest problem: I don't think it's a good idea to have people, especially kids, in an MLS photos. Pets, I don't mind, as long as the pets are not engaged in activities that might alarm folks more delicate sensibilities.
Cloning is certainly one option to remove the kid. But I want to demonstrate a slightly … (21 comments)
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photoshop: Photoshop: Finishing Up With The Healing Brush - 10/31/07 07:04 AM
Mehmet Met Dilsiz, of FND Photography made this comment on my Photoshop: Removing A Vechicle With The Clone Stamp
Create another layer and fill it up with one color. (doesn't matter which color but I usually use white). And the use the HEAL tool. Select the new layer and the use your ALT-CLICK to set the reference area on the new layer. And then go over the driveway, this should make the colors on the driveway a little more harmonized...
This is such a good tip, I wanted to try it out.
Mehmet, please let me know if I haven't followed quite correctly!
This … (5 comments)
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photoshop: Photoshop: Removing A Vechicle With The Clone Stamp - 10/30/07 08:50 AM
Vehicles just plain don't belong in real estate photos. There are several ways to remove a vehicle. Please keep in mind that Photoshop should be the Method Of Last Resort.
Method Number One: "Excuse me, I'm sorry to bother you, but do you suppose you could move your car for a few minutes, please? I need to take some marketing photos of this home. Thank you, I really appreciate it."
Method Number Two: "Would you hurry up and move that G** D*** F****** Piece Of S***, Now!!!"
Method Number Three: Shoot from an angle where the vehicle is not visible. Walk up … (23 comments)
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photoshop: We Fix Pix - 10/27/07 06:36 AM
There are a number of people that specialize is searching out "bad MLS photos".
http://www.orlandorealestatephotography.com/bad_mls/bad_mls.html
http://www.reagentinct.com/category/bad-mls-photo-of-the-day/
http://activerain.com/blogsview/217901/BAD-PHOTO-Sinking
And I know there are many, many more examples out there.
Some of the photos are bad simply because no one asked the resident to remove his or her clutter-stuff before the photos were shot. Some are bad because they were taken from a particularly bad perspective: I.E., Nothing in the shot except one blank wall. Some are technically bad: Out-of-focus, underexposed, or over-exposed.
Some are bad, but fixable.
And that's my proposal for all you Photoshop Gurus out there. Find some bad but … (26 comments)
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photoshop: Photomatix - 09/13/07 08:28 PM
Wow. I mean, really, wow! Did I say Wow? I haven't got this excited over a piece of software for a long time. But, Bryce Mohan gave us a look at one of his secret weapons, Photomatix.
I was going to write a Beginner's tutorial on using the HDR (High Dynamic Range) function in Photoshop CS3.
But based on Bryce's recommendation, I downloaded and installed Photomatix. (Free trial download, then $99.00 to register) I think I like it. Alot. Give me a few days to play with it, then I'll report back.
I'm a registered owner/user of Photoshop CS3. I also own/use Photoshop Elements 5. This might be heresy, … (18 comments)
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photoshop: Making Do With Elements: Masks & Mixers - 08/25/07 07:30 AM
If you are following Bryce Mohan's posts on Layer Masks in Photoshop, you know the man is a master artist. And if you using full version Photoshop, the Channel Mixer is right here: Layer -> New Adjustment Layer -> Channel Mixer:
But, what if you are using Photoshop Elements? Well, you had to know there was some reason Elements costs about $60.00, while the full version Phhotoshop CS3 costs about $600.00. The reason is Adobe stripped a few things out of Elements to make it affordable for the average guy or gal. Channel Mixer was one of the casualties.
But not to worry. … (16 comments)
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photoshop: Photoshop: 1st Grade Primer On Layers: Page 3 - 08/24/07 10:55 PM
Page One here: Photoshop: 1st Grade Primer On Layers
Page Two here: Photoshop: 1st Grade Primer On Layers: Page 2
One more simple concept to be aware of as we prepare to jump into Layer Masks with Bryce: Photography 101: Masks Pt 1 ...
Have you played around with moving object from one image to another ... like this:
Photoshop Elements 5: Creating A Llosa Collage
Photoshop: Merging Windows and View
Photoshopping Paparazzi Style
Photoshop Elements: Beyond The Lasso
Did you notice that as you dragged objects from one image to another, each object became a LAYER? This happens automatically without any intervention … (36 comments)
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photoshop: Photoshop: 1st Grade Primer On Layers: Page 2 - 08/21/07 09:02 AM
As you are creating a image using layers, each layer will be listed in the Layer Palette --
Bryce gave us a screen shot of a layer palette for one of his images here. Notice how he has applied different special effects to each layer. And he has named each layer according to the effect ... an excellent practice that helps you keep track of your workflow.
Here is a close up of the layer palette for my Sun-Mountain-Man-Dog image. The currently active layer is the one highlighted dark blue. You can make a layer invisible and visible again by clicking the little eye icon on … (3 comments)
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photoshop: Photoshop: 1st Grade Primer On Layers - 08/19/07 05:32 PM
Bryce Mahon wrote a terrific post on using Masks in Photoshop, and has promised more to come.
But just in case there are some folks that are just getting acquainted with Photoshop, and don't quite have a handle on either "Layers" or "Masks" yet, I thought I'd put together a First Grade Level Primer on Layers, as a kind of prequal to Bryce's info. Just to get the basic concept clear.
Any image in Photoshop can be made up of multiple layers. Each layer can be edited independently, and laid on top of or beneath another layer; all the layers combine to form a single image.
Think of … (17 comments)
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photoshop: Photoshop: Merging Windows and View - 08/18/07 09:31 PM
You know how it is. When someone mentions they have a Photography/Photoshop issue, I try to see if I can come up with a simple easy-to-follow answer.
Yesterday Janice Sutton was looking for some Botox for a set of home staging photos. It's that same old problem of too much backlight flooding in through the windows.
Just looking at her photos, it struck me that merging the images in Photoshop might be the quickest fix. Especially since it looks like Janice has some photos showing the view out of the window, and others showing the room interior from basically the same angle. … (11 comments)
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photoshop: Photoshop 7: 3 Basic Techniques for Real Estate - 08/17/07 08:26 PM
Most Active Rain members probably are not Photoshop junkies. They simply want to use the "digital darkroom" to improve images they have taken of available properties.
I'm using Photoshop 7 in this tour, since 1. I am rather fond of it, and 2. Marcel Peterson asked about Photoshop 7 tutorials.
Here are the 3 basic skills that I think will put your photos a cut above most others found on your local MLS:
First technique: Adjust Levels
1. Hit - Image -> Adjustments -> Levels
2. The Levels dialogue box will open. Click and drag the center slider towards the left to lighten, toward the right … (10 comments)
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Cheryl Johnson
Highland Park,
CA
More about me…
Cheryl Johnson, Bob Taylor Properties, Inc., Los Angeles, CA
Address: 5526 N. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90042
Office Phone: (323) 257-1080
Email Me
Caution: CAT BLOG AHEAD
Including random thoughts on life, art, business, stuff, and occasionally Real Estate.
According to Seth Godin: "Cat blogs are for, by, and about the person blogging. A cat blog is about your cat and your dating travails and your boss and whatever else you feel like sharing in your public diary."
Well, I am the boss, my dating years are behind me, but I do love my cats.
Enjoy!
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