Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Photoshop Class Day 9

This is a cool technique! It's a way to darken the edges of a photo, leaving the center bright. That way any distracting backgrounds can be muted, bringing your eye to the main subject of the photo.

Here is the before photo:

And here is the after photo:

The look is very subtle, but it does make a difference. The background of the photo drops further into the background. I tried this on a bright, colorful background and it didn't work as well. It's much better with a background that will wash out by darkening it.

NOTE: Edge Burn
Create levels adjustment layer. Move middle slidger to .62 (right).
Black shows what is beneath. White hides what is beneath.
Use gradient tool. FG:black, BG:white. Selcect feathered circle.
Set GRADIENT mode (not layer mode) to Multiply. Click on center and drag to outside.
Use brush tool to color black on the adjustment layer to brighten areas.
(increase/decrease effect by changing level layer adjustment or changing opacity of the layer.)

4 comments:

  1. I love this!!

    And photoshop is on sale at Costco now so I think i'm taking the plunge!!!

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  2. fab photo! i should have done that on the pic that i posted of k today. i might go and redo it. haven't had time to look @ the class this week, yet, though.

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  3. I really like that look! Keep up the good work!

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  4. Looks WONDERFUL Joni.. what a GREAT photo of Cheryl too!

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