Frame with Curves and Brush

This is a tutorial on creating a frame for any photo with an effect using Curves. This will work with any image and can be done in any version of Photoshop.

This is the effect I will create.

Step 1 : I have opened this free stock image. You will find this here

It belongs to foxartists

Step 2 : Drag the Lock on the Background Layer to the Trash Can.

The Layer changes to Layer 0.

Step 3 : Go to Image>Canvas Size.

Step 4 : The Image Size dialogue box opens.

Step 5 : Change both the Height and Width to 'Percent'.

Step 6 : Type in 120 for both Height and Width in the boxes. Click OK.

Step 7 : A transparent border forms around the image.

Step 8 : Click the Magic Wand Tool.

Step 9 : Click on the transparent area with the Magic Wand. A selection forms.

Step 10  : Press CTRL+SHIFT+I to inverse the selection.

Step 11 : Press CTRL+J to jump the selection to Layer 1.

Step 12 : Click on Layer 1.

Step 13 : The Foreground/Background Color should be set to the default Black/White. If it is not press x and then d on the keyboard.

Step 14 : Press CTRL+BACKSPACE to fill with the Background Color which is White in this case.

Filling Layer 0 with White makes the border form around the image.

Step 15 : Click the New Fill or adjustment layer button.

Step 16 : Click on Curves from the pop up menu.

Step 17 : The Curves dialogue box opens.

Step 18 : Drag the diagonal from top right side to a little above the bottom as shown.

Step 19 : The Layers palette looks like this.

Step 20 : The image looks like this.

Step 21 : Click the Brush Tool.

Step 22 : Click where the arrow points to open the Brush Controls. Set the Hardness to 0. You can the size here or press ] (right square bracket) to increase the size or [ (left square bracket) to decrease it.

Step 23 : Lower the Opacity and Flow of the Brush in the top panel to 50%.

The Foreground Color is already set to Black.

Step 24 : With the Brush begin to paint.

Step 25 : Paint around the frame of the image.

Step 26 : Paint around the inside edge of the frame for  a second time.

Step 27 : Go to Filter>Noise>Add Noise.

Step 28 : I have set the Amount to 10 and checked Gaussian for Distribution for this image. You can vary the settings depending on the image you use.

Step 29 : The image looks like this.

Step 30 : Go to Filter>Blur>Motion Blur.

Step 31 : In the Motion Blur set the Angle at 90 and Distance at 999. Click OK.

The image looks like this.

Step 32 : Click on the Add to Fill or Adjustment button and click on Gradient Map. (This is not found in Photoshop7).

Step 33 : Click where the arrow points to reveal the Presets in the Gradient Editor. We will not use them. Click the tiny black arrow.

Step 34 : A list pops up. Click on Metals.

Step 35 : This dialogue box pops up. Click OK.

Step 36 : The Metal Gradients appear. I am clicking on Steel Blue.

Step 37 : As soon as you click he Preset it is applied to the frame.

Step 38 : Lower the Opacity of Gradient Map 1 layer to around 50%.

Step 39 : The image looks like this.

Step 40 : Click on Layer 1.

Step 41 : Click the Layer Style button

Step 42 : Click on Drop Shadow from the popup.

Step 43: The Drop Shadow dialogue box pops up.

Step 44 : With the Drop Shadow open click on the image and drag, you will be able to move the Drop Shadow to where you want it.

 Step 45 : In the Drop Shadow, the Distance has already been set after I dragged it with the cursor. Drag the Size to blur the drop shadow and lastly the Spread a wee bit. Click OK.

The finished image.

Other photoshop tutorials are here

Read More

Camera Raw and Black and White

One of the simplest ways to turn a color image is to Black and White is to press CTRL+SHIFT+U. But you have no control over it. There is a much better way by using Camera Raw. You must know how to open an image in Camera Raw. Do not worry if you do not know how to do it I will show you how.

A color image turned to Black and White with Camera Raw.

Step 1 : After opening Photoshop go to File>Browse in Mini Bridge.

Step 2 : In Mini Bridge navigate to where your images are and right click to image to open it in Camera Raw.

The image opens in Camera Raw. You will find this image here

It belongs to eDamak

Step 3 : Click the icon shown and click on Grayscale Mix.

Step 4 : The image turns Black and White.

Step 5 : Place the cursor on the image. You can see what it looks like instead of the usual arrow.

Step 6 : Drag the cursor to the right or left. The cursor changes to a small two-headed arrow.

Step 7 : As you drag the cursor over different parts of the image, the portions become light or dark.

Step 8 : I am moving the cursor on the sky. I am dragging the cursor to the left. It darkens the Blues in the sky, even though this seems to be a Black and White image.

Step 9 : See the controls at the right. There are 8 of them. The Aquas, Blues and Purples in the sky move of their own accord.

Step 10 : I am making the wooden planks darker by moving the slider to the left. If you move it to the right it will brighten the colors.

Step 11 : Once you are finished, click the Open Image to open it in Photoshop.

The Black and White image opens in Photoshop. That is all. You can see how easy it is to do it and what good results you get. 

Now what do you do to get the image back in Color?

Step 12 : Close the image first. Open again in Camera Raw. Click the icon at the top and click on Parametric Curve, Hue, Saturation and Luminance one by one. 

The Color of the image is restored.

Step 13 : Open the image.

The original image opens. To save it click on File>Save as.

Step 14 : Save as Jpeg.

Other Photoshop tutorials are here

Read More