A picture can say a thousand words, and with Photoshop I mean that literally! Sometimes you have photos that aren’t quite sharp enough to use, or the color is off, or whatever, but you like the pose or expression. The technique I used to create the layout of my daughter above is a great way to put to use a less than perfect photo. I made you a video tutorial, so you can see how easy it is to do, but I’ll include written instructions too.
Here’s the shorthand written version.
Step 1 – Make brushes from words
- Type the word on a new document.
- Edit > Define Brush.
Do this for three words, from dark (bold) to light (thin).
Step 2 – Prepare your photo
- Crop.
- Extract from background.
- Change to Black and White.
- Adjust contrast if necessary so you have lights and darks.
- Posterize to 4 levels: In PS go to Adjustments > Posterize, in PSE go to Filters > Adjustments > Posterize.
Step 3 – Create your color layers
- Choose the Magic Wand.
- Click on darkest color.
- Hold CTRL and press J – that color is now on its own layer.
- Change back to original layer and do the other colors.
Step 4 – Brush each layer onto a blank layer
- Create a new layer.
- Create a selection from darkest layer – hold CTRL and click on thumbnail.
- Select darkest (boldest) brush.
- Stamp the brush all over the new layer, it will only show inside the selections.
- Repeat for other layers.
- Hide all other layers.
To use, merge the three brushed layers into one, and drag onto your layout. Then you can blend it into a paper, or clip a paper to it with a clipping mask.
Don’t forget to post your results to the Layout Gallery and link us up in the comments so we can be amazed!
Credits: Paper and elements by ScrapKitty Design. Photo by Jennifer White.