Photoshop Tips and News - at Roberts Photo News

If you're interested in getting related photography news along with your Photoshop tips,
RobertsPhotoNews.com is a great resource.

Included in the monthly newsletter are:

Photoshop Tips
Inspiring Stories
Book Reviews
Product Reviews
A Top 10 Tips Column
and more!

Here's a copy of the intro video

Create Custom CD DVD Case Template

Create Custom CD or DVD Cases Fast!

We all have collections of CD's or DVD's
getting tossed around without their case right?

Next thing we have to throw them out
because they're too scratched to use.

Or, with the holidays coming, maybe we want
to create our own photo CD to give as a gift?

Here's a cheap, easy way to create your own
custom CD or DVD holders using Photoshop!

Use my template.

http://tinyurl.com/4cdcase

Using the link, just download
the Photoshop template and replace my artwork
with yours.

Use your inkjet printer to print on 8.5 x 11
standard paper, cover stock, or index.

Cut, fold and you're done!

Might just save a CD or make a great gift.
Or promotional product idea. Create custom cases
or designs for local business. Who knows!

Enjoy!

Chinese Photographer Bungles Photoshop Paste

Photoshop Paste Problem?

There's a right way to do Photoshop. And then, there are so many wrong ways to do Photoshop.

This photo represents a huge gaff for the Chinese photographer blamed for its creation. Apparently the photographer thought he could improve his original two shots by bring all three government road officials into one scene.

Unfortunately, he forgot that in order to effectively and seamlessly paste someone or something into a new scene you must physically connect them in some way.

Typically, we'll use a shadow of their body, or at least some darkening of the surroundings near their feet.

If we are going to sit them on something, or have them lying down we'll need to be sure to add both shadows or darkening AND some appropriate scrunching of their clothes at the contact points.

The key element to "Cut and Paste" Photoshop is that when complete you should not be able to tell. That means considering the quantity and quality of light between the two original photographs, as well as matching the direction of the light, and as we see here, grounding your subject into the new scene with shadows.

A tough public lesson to learn for this Chinese photographer, but hopefully, knowing these key points will keep you from ultimate embarrassment later on.

You can view the full story by Laura Rozen | The Envoy – Thu, Jun 30, 2011

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/envoy/fake-photo-fallout-chinese-officials-embrace-social-media-171223649.html

SOLVING THE PHOTOSHOP PUZZLE

Sometimes, we know something is missing, but we just don't know what.

Photoshop is good at hiding stuff. Consider how many toolbar options there are. Consider how many sub-menu options are under each one of those. And how many drop-down box choices are even still under those. It's staggering!

But it gets worse.

Beyond what's on your desktop program, ready to use, Photoshop keeps a vast amount of options stored on your hard drive, (usually your C -drive) but not loaded onto your desktop version for immediate use. It stores all kinds of additional brushes, actions, filters etc. for use only when you need (and load them manually) into your current program.

The PUZZLE FILTER is a good example. You already have the capability to create a puzzle, but you probably never knew it. That's because it's one of those hidden (on your C-drive) files that you have to call up when you want it.

To create a puzzle from any photo, load your photo into Photoshop in the usual manner, then create a duplicate layer and name that layer PUZZLE.

Next, go to the FILTER menu and choose TEXTURE
Under that, choose TEXTURIZER

You'll now see a little drop-down box. Click the arrow and then click on  LOAD TEXTURE
If it's your first time, you'll have to tell Photoshop where to find the file. Go to COMPUTER - C-Drive - PROGRAM FILES (or PROGRAM FILES (x86) and find PROGRAMS - ADOBE - PHOTOSHOP

Double click on the PHOTOSHOP file folder and look for a folder called PRESETS
Open that folder and look for PUZZLE.

Select the PUZZLE folder and click the button at the bottom marked LOAD

[You'll only have to go through this long procedure once.
Next time, you'll only need to click LOAD TEXTURE.]

Now, you'll see the dialog box you want to create your puzzle.
SCALE lets you determine HOW BIG the pieces are
RELIEF set the depth (or shadow darkness) of the piece edges
(You can also change the light direction  and have an option to INVERT your choice)

That's it.

If you want to get fancy with a 3-D effect like the photo shown above. Create a new layer under your puzzle layer, and give that a cardboard color and a bit of texture or pattern to look realistic.

Then, go to your puzzle layer and cut out one or more pieces. You can use the pen tool for most accurate results, but I find the MAGNETIC LASSO tool works just fine for most things, if you remember to click often to set your points.

Once you have the selection complete, go to LAYER - NEW LAYER via CUT to remove this piece. Use the move tool to give it a new location and then give it some shadow to separate it from the photo for that 3-D effect.

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While this tip is not included in the Original Photoshop Recipe Book, you will find hundreds of other great Photoshop tips for users of all versions in my "PHOTOSHOP RECIPE CARDS" book.

Why "LEARN" Photoshop...

just follow the recipes for great photos every time! 

See why everyone's lovin' these 

RECIPE CARD shortcuts...

Get your book today at: http://photoshoptipcards.com

===========================================

Creative Photography Tricks Revealed

from CreativePhotographyTricks.com

Creative photography can add a whole new dimension and enjoyment to your photography.

It can turn so-so photos into stunning works of art. It can create interest in your work through online communities and in your own local community.

If you’ve lost interest in your hobby, or are struggling to come up with new projects that excite you, or you just want photography to be more fun, you owe it to yourself to explore the possibilities of adding a few creative photography tricks to your repertoire.

Nothing beats the feeling you get when the  “oohs and ahhs” start coming as folks look at your creative photos. It has been said that we humans need  praise and attention for good mental health as much as we need vitamins and minerals for good physical health.
Learning just a few new creative photography tricks is a great way to get your RDA of attention and praise.

It’s literally just a click away!

I’ve just opened a website that’s makes it fun and easy for you to get started in creative photography. In no time at all, you’ll be creating super cool photos to amaze and confound your friends. You’ll be their hero and leave them drooling in awe, bug-eyed at your new found skills!

Maybe you'll make a bit more cash with your new creativity too!

Best of all, it really helps us expand our Photoshop skills as we learn and play with these creative photography tricks.

Here’s a link to the new website…click on over and have a look!

http://creativephotographytricks.com