Creating a Smoke Shaped Image in Photoshop

This Photoshop tutorial is a photo manipulation that shows you how to create a smoke shaped image.

Final Image Preview

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image

Resources

Step 1

Start by downloading all photos that we will need for this tutorial. Open photos in Photoshop. Copy smoke 1 photo to portrait canvas and position smoke photo like i did below.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 1

Step 2

Desaturate smoke image by selecting smoke layer and going to Image > Adjustments > Desaturate (Shift+Ctrl+U).

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 2

Step 3

Set layer opacity for this layer to 70%.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 3

Step 4

Rotate smoke by going to Edit > Transform > Rotate.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 4

Step 5

Copy smoke 2 to our main canvas.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 5

Repeat same actions with this smoke layer like you did with first one: desaturate it and set layer opacity to 70%.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 6

Finally rotate this layer a bit by using Edit > Transform > Rotate.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 7

Step 6

Apply Edit > Transform > Warp to replicate face shape.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 8

Regarding face, try to shape it as similar as possible.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 9

Step 7

Select Smudge Tool with soft-edged brush (Strength: 50%) to improve contour.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 10

In the end we should have something like this:

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 11

Step 8

In order to depict the photo exactly, we should use several images of smoke as a rule. In this tutorial I used only three images of smoke. As layers will overlay each other sometimes, it’s worth using the Eraser Tool to remove unnecessary parts from the layers (always select soft-edged brush). On this step it’s also worth clearing the upper edge of the layer we’ve just worked with, as this edge overlays the lower layer.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 12

Step 9

Go to third smoke image and select part of the smoke using Polygonal Lasso Tool.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 13

Copy selected area to the main canvas and place it as shown on screenshot below.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 14

Desaturate this layer by going to Image > Adjustments > Desaturate (Shift+Ctrl+U) and set layer opacity for this layer to 70%. Then move it to the right edge of the canvas.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 15

Select Eraser Tool with soft-edged brush and erase edges on this layer.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 16

Step 10

Update all layers opacity back to 100%.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 17

Create a new layer right above background layer with portrait. Fill it with black color (#000000).

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 18

Merge all layers except background layer (portrait) by selecting layers and pressing Ctrl+E. We now have only two layers: portrait layer and smoke layer. Set layer opacity of smore layer to 50-70% and adjust contour by using Smudge Tool.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 19

Step 11

Go back to third smoke image. Make a new selection of smoke using Polygonal Lasso Tool.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 20

Copy selection to main canvas.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 21

Desaturate this layer by and going to Image > Adjustments > Desaturate (Shift+Ctrl+U) and set layer opacity for this layer to 70%. Transform it by using Ctrl+T and position selection like i did.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 22

Edit layer edges using Eraser Tool.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 23

Set layer opacity back to 100%.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 24

Step 12

Merge all layers except background layer with portrait. Right now looking at image it seems girl has one too long neck. We can fix this by adding more smoke. Repeat same process we did before (select from smoke 3 a bit of smoke, copy it to our main canvas, desaturate and reduce layer opacity so you can clear edges of layer. In the end you should have something like i have below.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 25

Once you are happy with result, merge all layers except background layer with portrait. We have only two layers: portrait layer and smoke layer.

Step 13

With smoke layer selected, apply Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 26

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 27

Step 14

Duplicate layer with portrait using Ctrl+J and place it above smoke layer. Select the violin using the Polygonal Lasso Tool.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 28

Invert selection using Select > Inverse and remove everything inside the selection by using Delete button.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 29

Make a new selection in the shape of violin using Polygonal Lasso Tool and remove unnecessary background using Delete button again. Deselect selection using Ctrl+D.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 30

If you still have some problem areas with the remains of the background, they can be erased by using Eraser Tool with a soft-edged brush and opacity set to 30-50%.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 31

Step 15

Duplicate layer with violin using Ctrl+J and apply Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation.

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 32

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image 33

Change layer blending mode to Soft Light for this layer and this tutorial is now complete.

Final Image

Creating a Smoke Shaped Image

Giveaway: VIP access for 1 month from Brush Lovers (x5)

Brush Lovers has teamed up with us to offer 5 unlimited VIP access accounts for 1 month to 5 lucky winners. Read more to see how you can win!

Giveaway: VIP access for 1 month from Brush Lovers (x5)

Brush Lovers offers one huge collection of free brushes for personal and commercial use. And they also have premium Photoshop Brushes that you can purchase individually or by buying pre-paid packs.

Brushes are all high-resolution and ready to be used on web and print design.

We’re thrilled to introduce you to a cool giveaway that was made possible after we team up with Brush Lovers. So what types of brushes can you get at Brush Lovers?

Free Brushes Samples

Fractal Bars 1

Grunge Wreaths

Grunge Wreaths

Grunge Wreaths

Pretty Garden

Grunge Wreaths

Premium Brushes Samples

Bending Light

Grunge Wreaths

Moonlight Mystery

Grunge Wreaths

Simple Floral Patterns

Grunge Wreaths

Prize

Each one of the five winners will receive one unlimited VIP access account for 1 month ($49 value each) so you can download as many brushes as you want.

How to Win

You need to leave a comment on this post telling us why you would like to win using a valid email address so we can contact you in case you´ve won.

Giveaway details

This giveaway ends on Tuesday, August 9th 2011 after which the comments section on this post will be closed.
Only comment once.
The 5 winners will be randomly selected as always.
Winners will be announced on a separate post so i advise you to subscribe to our RSS feed and follow us on Twitter or on our Facebook page. And they will be contacted via e-mail.

Comments are moderated on this site and your comment may not show up right away. If we find any comments that do not follow the instructions on how to participate (described above) may not be published, or may be removed later on.

Good luck to everyone!

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop

On this tutorial you will learn to create a realistic wood roller shutter texture using only Photoshop Tools.

Final Image Preview

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop

Step 1

Create a new document with 800px width and 500px height. Fill background with linear gradient using Gradient Tool.

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop 1

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop 2

Step 2

Apply Filter > Noise > Add Noise with following settings:

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop 3

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop 4

Step 3

Apply Filter > Blur > Motion Blur with following settings:

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop 5

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop 6

Step 4

Select Crop Tool and remove borders of our background texture by cropping each side.

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop 7

After cropping your image should look like mine:

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop 8

Step 5

Now we are going to increase constrat. Go to Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast:

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop 9

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop 10

We need to reduce light intensity so go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation.

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop 11

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop 12

Step 6

Apply Filter > Sharpen > Sharpen.

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop 13

Step 7

Select one Hard Round Brush, 3 pixels and set foregound color to black color (#000000). Draw several lines and when drawing hold Shift key to make them straight.

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop 14

Go to Layer > Blending Options and apply following styles:

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop 15

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop 16

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop 17

Step 8

Select Rectangular Marquee Tool and select area as shown below.

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop 18

Create new layer and fill selected area with black color (#000000).

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop 19

Step 8

Select a soft-edged brush with 80 pixels and opacity 70%. With Eraser Tool selected clean up lower edge of the black area.

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop 20

Change Layer Blending Mode to Soft Light and we get a deep shadow.

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop 21

Copy layer with Ctrl+J and move it to next line. Repeat process till you have all lines with shadow.

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop 22

Step 9

Create new layer on top. Select Brush Tool and Grass Brush (it is one of standard brushes that comes with Photoshop). Change foreground color to green (#00ed00) and draw some grass.

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop 23

Apply Drop Shadow by going to Layer > Layer Style > Drop Shadow.

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop 24

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop 25

Final Image

Apply Filter > Sharpen > Sharpen and this tutorial is over and we got a realistic wood roller shutter.

Creating Roller Shutter in Photoshop

Branding Iron Text Effect

In this easy Photoshop tutorial you’ll learn how to design a very cool-looking branding iron effect, using the type tool, a few shapes, and a fair few layer style effects.

Final Image Preview

This is the outcome from the tutorial:

Branding Iron Text Effect

Note: This is one very old PhotoshopStar tutorial created by Eli that was updated as i was receiving a lot of requests about it.

Resources

Step 1

Start by creating a new document in Photoshop. Any size will do, but for this tutorial the size is 600 x 300 pixels, with the default resolution of 72. After this, you might want to choose a nice background for your canvas. The texture used here is Wood texture I by ResurgidaResources. Resize the texture till it fits in your document.

Branding Iron Text Effect 1

Step 2

Get the Horizontal Type Tool out and write your desired text, preferably something short, if you can. The font used is called Impact, and the size is 200 pt. Also, you can feel free to use any color you want for the text at this stage.

Branding Iron Text Effect 2

Next, the border for your shape. Find and get out the Rounded Rectangle Tool, then set up your settings as similar to the ones shown below as you can/want:

Branding Iron Text Effect 3

Now you’ve got your tool and settings set up, create a new layer (underneath your text layer), then draw a shape the suitable size, a just so it hangs around the outside of your text.

Branding Iron Text Effect 4

Next, change the Fill value for this layer to 0%.

Branding Iron Text Effect 5

Then apply a Stroke layer style.

Branding Iron Text Effect 6

Now your shape should look like this:

Branding Iron Text Effect 7

Finish off this step by merging your two layers together (the text and shape layers), so the whole shape is on one single layer. You can do this by selecting both layers, then going to Layer -> Merge Layers.

Branding Iron Text Effect 8

Step 3

The shape still needs a few more changes before we finalize it. Start by filling your shape with a red color, do this by clicking the little icon near the top of your layer’s palette that ‘locks the transparent pixels.

Branding Iron Text Effect 9

After you’ve locked the transparent pixels, fill your shape with a red color, the color used here is #ac2009.

Branding Iron Text Effect 10

Finish off this step by rotating and maybe resizing your shape slightly. Press Ctrl + T to go into the Transform Mode, and hit Enter when you’re done to get out of it.

Branding Iron Text Effect 11

Step 4

Now we’re finished with the shape, let’s add some effects. Right-click your layer in the layer’s palette and go to the Blending Options. Click and apply the following layer styles/settings:

– Inner Shadow: Change the Blend Mode to Soft Light, the Opacity to 40%, the Distance to 3, and the Size to 2.

Branding Iron Text Effect 12

– Inner Glow: Change the Blend Mode to Overlay, the Choke to 10, and the Size to 6.

Branding Iron Text Effect 13

– Satin: Change the Blend Mode to Overlay.

Branding Iron Text Effect 14

– Gradient Overlay: Change the Blend Mode to Overlay, the Opacity to 40%, check the Reverse box, and set the Style to Reflected.

Branding Iron Text Effect 15

– Pattern Overlay: Change the Blend Mode to Overlay, the Opacity to 40%, and set the Pattern to Rusted Metal.

Branding Iron Text Effect 16

Now your shape should look pretty much like this:

Branding Iron Text Effect 17

Step 5

Looking good so far! This step is optional, in which we’ll erase away a bit of the shape to give a bit more of an interesting effect. Start by creating a new layer, then merging your shape and blank layer together, this is basically applying the layer styles to the pixels, so they’re not really there anymore.

Branding Iron Text Effect 18

After doing this, get out your eraser tool and select a grungy brush. Erase away a bit of your shape like so.

Branding Iron Text Effect 19

Step 5

When you’re pretty much all finished with your shape, go into the Transform Mode (Ctrl + T), and size your shape down to about 60.0% of it’s original size. This is what the shape should look like:

Branding Iron Text Effect 20

You can as well go ahead and create a new layer right beneath the Shape layer, then, create a Radial Gradient the goes from Transparent at the center of the document to Black at the corners, and change the layer’s Blend Mode to Soft Light.

Branding Iron Text Effect 21

Finally, you can add some Black grungy strokes as shown below:

Branding Iron Text Effect 22

Final Image

And now we’re pretty much finished with this tutorial, I hope it was sufficient for you all! I also hope you enjoyed this tutorial, I know I did!

Branding Iron Text Effect

How to Create Mental Sphere

This Photoshop tutorial shows how to create mental sphere and get realistic reflection from environment to this sphere.

Final Image Preview

How to Create Mental Sphere

Resources

Step 1

Open Mountain Photo on Photoshop. Go to Image > Image Size and change width to 1000px and height to 664px.

How to Create Mental Sphere 1

Step 2

Open Yoga Photo and copy it to Mountain Photo. Select Yoga Layer and press Ctrl+T to reduce size of photo like shown below.

How to Create Mental Sphere 2

Step 3

With Yoga layer selected, use the Polygonal Lasso Tool (Feather: 0 px, Anti-alias selected) to select women.

How to Create Mental Sphere 3

Don´t forget that we have some landscape areas inside of selection. Hold Alt button and using Polygonal Lasso Tool deselect those areas.

How to Create Mental Sphere 4

Press Ctrl+Shift+I to inver selection and press Delete button to clear selected area.

How to Create Mental Sphere 5

Step 4

Remove selection with Select > Deselect, then correct brightness and contrast with Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast:

How to Create Mental Sphere 6

Step 5

Select background layer (Mountain). Make round selection with Elliptical Marquee Tool on it.

How to Create Mental Sphere 7

Press Ctrl+J to duplicate selected area to new layer. Select content layer by pressing Ctrl and clicking on thumbnail layer on layers. Load sphere selection by going to Select > Load Selection. Then apply Filter > Distort > Spherize:

How to Create Mental Sphere 8

How to Create Mental Sphere 9

Step 6

With selection still active, create new layer above all layers and fill it with black color.

How to Create Mental Sphere 10

Apply Filter > Render > Clouds to this layer.

How to Create Mental Sphere 11

Step 7

Apply Filter > Distort > Spherize.

How to Create Mental Sphere 12

How to Create Mental Sphere 13

Step 8

Change layer mode to Screen and lower opacity to 57%.

How to Create Mental Sphere 14

Step 9

With selection still active, create new layer above all layers and fill it with black color.

How to Create Mental Sphere 15

Step 10

Deselect area with Ctrl+D an update layer opacity to 0%. After that go to Layer > Layer Style > Inner Glow and apply style with following settings:

How to Create Mental Sphere 16

Final Image

How to Create Mental Sphere

This tutorial is now complete. Hope you liked it!

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect

This tutorial explains how to use Photoshop layer styles and Filters to create a nice marble text effect.

Author: Rose

Final Image Preview

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect

Resources

Step 1

Fill the Background with the color #534d39. Place Marble Stone Texture Stock on top of the Background, and change its Blend Mode to Multiply.

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect 1

Create the text using the color #b0ac97. The font used is Wrexham Script and the size is 377px. Duplicate the text layer to create two copies, and change the Fill value of the copy layer to 0.

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect 2

Step 2

Double click on the original text layer to apply the following styles:
– Drop Shadow: Change the color to #585858, the Distance to 6 and the Size to 10.

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect 3

– Inner Shadow: Change the color to #908c78, the Size to 13, and the Contour to Half Round.

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect 4

– Inner Glow: Change the Blend Mode to Linear Light, the color to #afafac, the Technique to Precise, and the Size to 10.

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect 5

– Bevel and Emboss: Change the Depth to 300, the Size to 12, the Soften to 3, and the Shadow Mode color to #6e6b5e.

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect 6

This is what the text should look like:

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect 7

Step 3

Now, we are going to add a glass effect to the copy text layer (the text layer on the top), so double click it, and add a Bevel and Emboss effect. Change the Depth to 250 and the Size to 7. Un-check the Use Global Light box, and change the Angle to 100 and the Altitude to 60. Also, check the Anti-aliased box for a smooth result, change the Highlight Mode Opacity value to 80%, and the Shadow Mode color to #d9d9d9.

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect 8

This is what you will get.

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect 9

Step 4

Create a new layer between the two text layers and call it “texture”.

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect 10

Press the Ctrl/Command key, and click on a text layer thumbnail (icon) to create a selection.

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect 11

Set the Foreground color to #a77d31, and the Background color to #fff8de. Fill the selection with the Foreground color on texture layer.

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect 12

Press Ctrl/Command + D to get rid of the selection.

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect 13

Step 5

Now, we are going to use some filters to create the Marble texture. Start with Filter > Artistic > Sponge. Change the Brush Size to 2, the Definition to 25, and the Smoothness to 5.

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect 14

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect 15

Go to Filter > Sketch > Chalk and Charcoal. Change the Charcoal Area to 7, the Chalk area to 10, and the Stroke Pressure to 1.

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect 16

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect 17

Go to Filter > Artistic > Plastic Wrap. Change the Highlight Strength to 17, the Detail to 14, and the Smoothness to 5.

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect 18

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect 19

Finally, go to Filter > Artistic > Film Grain. Change the Grain to 10, the Highlight Area to 15, and the Intensity to 10.

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect 20

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect 21

Step 6

Change the “texture” layer’s Blend Mode to Multiply.

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect 22

Go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation, and change the Saturation value to -80.

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect 23

Final Image

And this is the final effect.

Learn to Create Marble Text Effect

Winners of UPrinting Giveaway

Today is the day where i announce the winners who previously participated in a contest held on June 24th 2011. Each winner will receive 250 flyers from UPrinting.

Giveaway Winners: 250 Flyers of UPrinting (x3)

Winners

And here are our winners :-)

1. Dennis Waybrant
2. Eimantas
3. Sami

Thank you to all for participating on this giveaway and congratulations to the winners.

UPrinting will contact winners with all details in next 30 days.

More Giveaways Comming Soon!

I am already preparing more giveaway contests. If you want to keep updated follow PhotoshopStar.

1. Twitter

2. Newsletter

3. Facebook

4. RSS

Winners of UPrinting Giveaway

Today is the day where i announce the winners who previously participated in a contest held on June 24th 2011. Each winner will receive 250 flyers from UPrinting.

Giveaway Winners: 250 Flyers of UPrinting (x3)

Winners

And here are our winners :-)

1. Dennis Waybrant
2. Eimantas
3. Sami

Thank you to all for participating on this giveaway and congratulations to the winners.

UPrinting will contact winners with all details in next 30 days.

More Giveaways Comming Soon!

I am already preparing more giveaway contests. If you want to keep updated follow PhotoshopStar.

1. Twitter

2. Newsletter

3. Facebook

4. RSS

Winners of UPrinting Giveaway

Today is the day where i announce the winners who previously participated in a contest held on June 24th 2011. Each winner will receive 250 flyers from UPrinting.

Giveaway Winners: 250 Flyers of UPrinting (x3)

Winners

And here are our winners :-)

1. Dennis Waybrant
2. Eimantas
3. Sami

Thank you to all for participating on this giveaway and congratulations to the winners.

UPrinting will contact winners with all details in next 30 days.

More Giveaways Comming Soon!

I am already preparing more giveaway contests. If you want to keep updated follow PhotoshopStar.

1. Twitter

2. Newsletter

3. Facebook

4. RSS

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map

On this tutorial i will share with how to create focus effect on photo with different levels of blur.

Final Image Preview

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map

Resources

Step 1

Start by opening photo on Photoshop. Now we are going to create a special blur map to focus attention on the object. To do that start by selecting foreground color as black (#000000).

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 1

Step 2

Use the Pen Tool with Shape Layers selected to draw out the figure of a man. Reduce layer opacity to 50% after starting to select man to see the real shapes of the photo.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 2

In the end you should have man selected like on image below.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 3

Update layer opacity to 100% for this layer.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 4

Step 3

Use the Pen Tool to draw out the second shape (left horse) with foreground color #212121.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 5

Step 4

Now draw third shape (right horse) on the photo with color of #4c4c4c.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 6

Step 5

Draw another shape by using color #747474. Keep positioning layers like i have which means that this one should be above the layer with the photo.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 7

Step 6

Draw another shape by using color #9a9a9a.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 8

Move this layer with shape under all the layers but above the photo layer.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 9

Step 7

Draw back horse same way but using color #c0c0c0.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 10

Step 8

Create a new layer and fill with light grey color (#e7e7e7).

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 11

Step 9

Merge all layers except photo layer. Select photo layer and open Channel panel by going to Window > Channels or by clicking on Channels next to Layers.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 12

Create a new channel. Adobe Photoshop will automatically name it Alpha 1.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 13

Go back to layers panel. Select all merged layer content by using Ctrl+click on layer thumbnail.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 14

Copy selected layer with Ctrl+C, select Alpha 1 channel and paste layer content with Ctrl+V. Move a little bit to left to place it correctly.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 15

Step 10

Hide merged layer visibility on layers panel and also hide Alpha 1 channel on channels panel.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 16

Select photo layer and apply Filter > Blur > Lens Blur. Don´t forget to change Source to Alpha 1, select Invert and update Shape to Triangle. Also update Blur Focal Distance and Radius like i have on image below.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 17

Final Image

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map

And we are done. We learned to create a nice focus effect on photo with different levels of blur. Hope you liked it.

Winners of UPrinting Giveaway

Today is the day where i announce the winners who previously participated in a contest held on June 24th 2011. Each winner will receive 250 flyers from UPrinting.

Giveaway Winners: 250 Flyers of UPrinting (x3)

Winners

And here are our winners :-)

1. Dennis Waybrant
2. Eimantas
3. Sami

Thank you to all for participating on this giveaway and congratulations to the winners.

UPrinting will contact winners with all details in next 30 days.

More Giveaways Comming Soon!

I am already preparing more giveaway contests. If you want to keep updated follow PhotoshopStar.

1. Twitter

2. Newsletter

3. Facebook

4. RSS

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map

On this tutorial i will share with how to create focus effect on photo with different levels of blur.

Final Image Preview

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map

Resources

Step 1

Start by opening photo on Photoshop. Now we are going to create a special blur map to focus attention on the object. To do that start by selecting foreground color as black (#000000).

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 1

Step 2

Use the Pen Tool with Shape Layers selected to draw out the figure of a man. Reduce layer opacity to 50% after starting to select man to see the real shapes of the photo.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 2

In the end you should have man selected like on image below.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 3

Update layer opacity to 100% for this layer.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 4

Step 3

Use the Pen Tool to draw out the second shape (left horse) with foreground color #212121.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 5

Step 4

Now draw third shape (right horse) on the photo with color of #4c4c4c.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 6

Step 5

Draw another shape by using color #747474. Keep positioning layers like i have which means that this one should be above the layer with the photo.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 7

Step 6

Draw another shape by using color #9a9a9a.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 8

Move this layer with shape under all the layers but above the photo layer.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 9

Step 7

Draw back horse same way but using color #c0c0c0.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 10

Step 8

Create a new layer and fill with light grey color (#e7e7e7).

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 11

Step 9

Merge all layers except photo layer. Select photo layer and open Channel panel by going to Window > Channels or by clicking on Channels next to Layers.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 12

Create a new channel. Adobe Photoshop will automatically name it Alpha 1.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 13

Go back to layers panel. Select all merged layer content by using Ctrl+click on layer thumbnail.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 14

Copy selected layer with Ctrl+C, select Alpha 1 channel and paste layer content with Ctrl+V. Move a little bit to left to place it correctly.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 15

Step 10

Hide merged layer visibility on layers panel and also hide Alpha 1 channel on channels panel.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 16

Select photo layer and apply Filter > Blur > Lens Blur. Don´t forget to change Source to Alpha 1, select Invert and update Shape to Triangle. Also update Blur Focal Distance and Radius like i have on image below.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 17

Final Image

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map

And we are done. We learned to create a nice focus effect on photo with different levels of blur. Hope you liked it.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map

On this tutorial i will share with how to create focus effect on photo with different levels of blur.

Final Image Preview

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map

Resources

Step 1

Start by opening photo on Photoshop. Now we are going to create a special blur map to focus attention on the object. To do that start by selecting foreground color as black (#000000).

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 1

Step 2

Use the Pen Tool with Shape Layers selected to draw out the figure of a man. Reduce layer opacity to 50% after starting to select man to see the real shapes of the photo.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 2

In the end you should have man selected like on image below.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 3

Update layer opacity to 100% for this layer.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 4

Step 3

Use the Pen Tool to draw out the second shape (left horse) with foreground color #212121.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 5

Step 4

Now draw third shape (right horse) on the photo with color of #4c4c4c.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 6

Step 5

Draw another shape by using color #747474. Keep positioning layers like i have which means that this one should be above the layer with the photo.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 7

Step 6

Draw another shape by using color #9a9a9a.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 8

Move this layer with shape under all the layers but above the photo layer.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 9

Step 7

Draw back horse same way but using color #c0c0c0.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 10

Step 8

Create a new layer and fill with light grey color (#e7e7e7).

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 11

Step 9

Merge all layers except photo layer. Select photo layer and open Channel panel by going to Window > Channels or by clicking on Channels next to Layers.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 12

Create a new channel. Adobe Photoshop will automatically name it Alpha 1.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 13

Go back to layers panel. Select all merged layer content by using Ctrl+click on layer thumbnail.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 14

Copy selected layer with Ctrl+C, select Alpha 1 channel and paste layer content with Ctrl+V. Move a little bit to left to place it correctly.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 15

Step 10

Hide merged layer visibility on layers panel and also hide Alpha 1 channel on channels panel.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 16

Select photo layer and apply Filter > Blur > Lens Blur. Don´t forget to change Source to Alpha 1, select Invert and update Shape to Triangle. Also update Blur Focal Distance and Radius like i have on image below.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 17

Final Image

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map

And we are done. We learned to create a nice focus effect on photo with different levels of blur. Hope you liked it.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map

On this tutorial i will share with how to create focus effect on photo with different levels of blur.

Final Image Preview

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map

Resources

Step 1

Start by opening photo on Photoshop. Now we are going to create a special blur map to focus attention on the object. To do that start by selecting foreground color as black (#000000).

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 1

Step 2

Use the Pen Tool with Shape Layers selected to draw out the figure of a man. Reduce layer opacity to 50% after starting to select man to see the real shapes of the photo.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 2

In the end you should have man selected like on image below.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 3

Update layer opacity to 100% for this layer.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 4

Step 3

Use the Pen Tool to draw out the second shape (left horse) with foreground color #212121.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 5

Step 4

Now draw third shape (right horse) on the photo with color of #4c4c4c.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 6

Step 5

Draw another shape by using color #747474. Keep positioning layers like i have which means that this one should be above the layer with the photo.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 7

Step 6

Draw another shape by using color #9a9a9a.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 8

Move this layer with shape under all the layers but above the photo layer.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 9

Step 7

Draw back horse same way but using color #c0c0c0.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 10

Step 8

Create a new layer and fill with light grey color (#e7e7e7).

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 11

Step 9

Merge all layers except photo layer. Select photo layer and open Channel panel by going to Window > Channels or by clicking on Channels next to Layers.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 12

Create a new channel. Adobe Photoshop will automatically name it Alpha 1.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 13

Go back to layers panel. Select all merged layer content by using Ctrl+click on layer thumbnail.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 14

Copy selected layer with Ctrl+C, select Alpha 1 channel and paste layer content with Ctrl+V. Move a little bit to left to place it correctly.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 15

Step 10

Hide merged layer visibility on layers panel and also hide Alpha 1 channel on channels panel.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 16

Select photo layer and apply Filter > Blur > Lens Blur. Don´t forget to change Source to Alpha 1, select Invert and update Shape to Triangle. Also update Blur Focal Distance and Radius like i have on image below.

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map 17

Final Image

Creating Focus on the Photo by Using Blur Map

And we are done. We learned to create a nice focus effect on photo with different levels of blur. Hope you liked it.

Giveaway: 250 Flyers of UPrinting (x3)

Photoshop Star has teamed up with UPrinting to give away 3 sets of 250pcs. Flyers for each winner. Read more to see how you can win!

Giveaway: 250 Flyers of UPrinting (x3)

UPrinting is an online printing service being popular for its service free file review, a complimentary proofing service which requires no upfront payment.

UPrinting offers a very wide variety of services, including flyers, brochures, calendars, menus, posters, postcards, business cards, and more. There’s a 3 business day turnaround. Uprinting also has nightclub flyer templates and business flyer templates available for download.

Prize

Each one of the three winners will receive 250 flyers (4.25″ x 5.5″, 4″ x 6″) that are 14pt Cardstock Gloss/Front only printing. You can use these to promote your business or any type of event. Free shipping is included but giveaway is limited to US Residents, must be 18 and above to enter.

How to Win

You need to leave a comment on this post telling me what you will use these flyers for using a valid email address so we can contact you in case you´ve won.

Giveaway details

This giveaway ends on Tuesday, June 29th 2011 after which the comments section on this post will be closed.
Only comment once.
The 3 winners will be randomly selected as always using random.org.
Free shipping.
Winners will be announced on a separate post so i advise you to subscribe to our RSS feed and follow us on Twitter.

Restriction: Limited to US residents, must be 18 and above to enter. Also we request that you do no enter this giveaway if you’ve won a UPrinting giveaway in the last six months.

Comments are moderated on this site and your comment may not show up right away. If we find any comments that do not follow the instructions on how to participate (described above) may not be published, or may be removed later on.

Good luck to everyone!

Disclaimer: This giveaway is sponsered by Uprinting, we did not receive any monetary compensation for this post.