Thursday, February 4, 2010
Photoshop’s blending modes are mysterious entities, yet once you get to know them, they expose you to a universe of both practical and creative possibilities. In today’s Workbench, we’ll explore a variety of density correction and tinting uses for four of the modes––Multiply, Screen, Soft Light, and Color. Blending modes can apply to both adjustment layers and pixel-bearing layers. We’ll examine a little of each, starting with adjustment layers.
To learn more about practical color correction uses for blending modes, take a look at Chapter 5 (Color Correction) of my Photographer’s Photoshop CS4 Companion eBook. To explore creative uses for blending modes, check out Chapter 9 (Special Effects).
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Advertising in travel magazines is a constant source of inspiration. At worst, scanning the ads affords me the opportunity to fantasize about exotic destinations. At best, I discover a campaign that motivates me to figure out how the designer created it. The Belize ads in Islands magazine are evocative. They depict the silhouette of a person enjoying an activity, such as bird watching or scuba diving. The silhouette is filled with a picture that tells more of the story. Watercolor paper forms the canvas for the ads and subtle watercolor stains embellish the edges of the silhouette. Today, we’ll explore the secrets of “Belize.”
Thursday, January 21, 2010
In today’s tutorial, I’ve set the bar high. Your mission (if you choose to accept it) is to sink a duck in a pond. Perhaps you’re wondering how in the world this could ever possibly benefit you, and to be honest, that’s a perfectly legitimate question. Please allow me to explain. This is really a lesson about masking disguised as a fun duck-sinking project. During this Workbench, I’ll show you how to see where you’ve painted on a mask, how to view only the contents of a mask, how to unlink a mask from the pixel-bearing part of a layer, and how to non-destructively reduce the opacity of black paint on a mask.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
I recently read an article by Jack Davis about reshaping bodies and found his techniques both fascinating and useful. In today’s Workbench, we’ll explore several methods for reducing pot bellies, slimming love handles, or melting away a few of those holiday cookie calories.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
If you’ve ever dreamed of capturing Vermont’s quintessential white-steepled churches, majestic mountains, covered bridges, rustic barns, and maple-lined roads, join Charles Needle and me from Oct. 3 – 8, 2010 for autumn’s prismatic display.
Our home for the week will be the award-winning Topnotch Resort and Spa (named one of Conde Nast Traveler’s “Top 10 Spas in North America”) located just minutes from charming Stowe village.
To download a PDF flyer with all of the picturesque details, please click here.
Happy New Year!
Mark
P.S. If you can’t wait till autumn for your dose of color, there are a few remaining spots in our Callaway Gardens workshop. Register by Jan. 15, 2010 to receive the Early Registration Discount. To learn more, please click here.