This was really fun to create - I laugh knowing what editing endpoint I am trying to reach, but not knowing 'how' to get there! I think I have worn the letters off the 'ctrl-z' keys with this, my first attempt at a detailed water colour effect that is 'painted on' layer masks. A challenging starting image - this took a while, but there are a lot of lovely interesting details in the original shot.
@heidievans73 Thanks for selecting such an interesting image to work on - I really grew to love it. Having the starting image in a nice large file size for a change was a real pleasure - thankyou!!
I saw this on the wwyd discussion, I really like the processing, what have you done here? hdr tone mapping? also I have seen that border before but dont know where
@monika64 glad you like it Monika. I have been trying to get this right for months now, and I am really pleased with the way it turned out.
The border is a combination of two layers of painted masks for a softer effect & make it more 'random' in shape. look at http://graphicssoft.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=graphicssoft&cdn=compute&tm=17&f=11&tt=14&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.campratty.com/1faq/faqpages/7b.html for ideas on making one.
For the colouring I applied (1) de-noise, adjusted levels & curves & boosted red saturation; (2) copy background layer & applied 'simplify' filter, repeat on a copy for 'find edges' filter to make a BW sketch drawing & bring to top, add mask 'show all', then use a large paint-stroke brush head at low opacity and density, paint back the picture. (3) I repeated the whole thing using separate layer groups to make the sky blue first, then just paint in the sky sections using a mask layer. (almost like http://onsoftware.en.softonic.com/add-a-painting-effect-to-your-photos). (4) add canvas texture.
The water colour painting technique is building up depth of colour almost like manual tone mapping as you say. Before Photomatix was invented, HDR was done manually using multiple mask layers for each exposure area to create a composite image. I used multiple 15% opacity brush strokes to control the colour depth, and varied the way the brush was used (eg I used dabs on the tree on the right to fade out their detail, rather than strokes, but large overlapping strokes in the sky area).
The built in 'watercolour' filters are only starting points - layer & blend them to get the effect for each individual shot, and use masks to get the filtered effect in each of the areas you want. You can download paint-stroke brushes, and masks from deviantart. The closest info on the web I can find is a tutorial at http://10steps.sg/tutorials/photoshop/transform-photo-into-watercolor-painting/ This is not the same order I worked in, but gives you the idea. Cheers, Lyn.
Wow! thanks Lyn. This is awesome, I have only basic photoshop skills and have been using the simpler to use programs with filters, just goes to show when done properly photoshop just beats everything. I have fav'd this pic and will go back to it for your instructions.
Thanks for that, I will certainly vote for yours when the vote comes up.
@monika64 I think using layers makes a big difference to what can be achieved - GIMP & Pixlr are both free & have layers. I use Paint Shop Pro, but have learnt how to import the PS brushes etc. It has taken me a long time to get my head around layers and blending, and I am really happy 365 has given me the opportunity to try so many different editing techniques. Always happy to chat about editing. :)
I have photoshop and have a basic understanding of layers, slightly less on curves and masks. I have been fiddling with pixlr editor and its ok as a basic photoshop replacement, I did my WWYD45 pic on that, mainly because I dont feel like going downstairs to my work computer and try to do everything on my laptop. Blend modes is a bit hit and miss for me too.
Have you played with the colour replace tool in pixlr, its fun, not sure how useful but fun!
Very nice! I haven't done the layering form of "painting". I usually go with what the program puts on and then adjust the sliders. But that sounds like a method that would give you even more creative control.
The border is a combination of two layers of painted masks for a softer effect & make it more 'random' in shape. look at http://graphicssoft.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=graphicssoft&cdn=compute&tm=17&f=11&tt=14&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.campratty.com/1faq/faqpages/7b.html for ideas on making one.
For the colouring I applied (1) de-noise, adjusted levels & curves & boosted red saturation; (2) copy background layer & applied 'simplify' filter, repeat on a copy for 'find edges' filter to make a BW sketch drawing & bring to top, add mask 'show all', then use a large paint-stroke brush head at low opacity and density, paint back the picture. (3) I repeated the whole thing using separate layer groups to make the sky blue first, then just paint in the sky sections using a mask layer. (almost like http://onsoftware.en.softonic.com/add-a-painting-effect-to-your-photos). (4) add canvas texture.
The water colour painting technique is building up depth of colour almost like manual tone mapping as you say. Before Photomatix was invented, HDR was done manually using multiple mask layers for each exposure area to create a composite image. I used multiple 15% opacity brush strokes to control the colour depth, and varied the way the brush was used (eg I used dabs on the tree on the right to fade out their detail, rather than strokes, but large overlapping strokes in the sky area).
The built in 'watercolour' filters are only starting points - layer & blend them to get the effect for each individual shot, and use masks to get the filtered effect in each of the areas you want. You can download paint-stroke brushes, and masks from deviantart. The closest info on the web I can find is a tutorial at http://10steps.sg/tutorials/photoshop/transform-photo-into-watercolor-painting/ This is not the same order I worked in, but gives you the idea. Cheers, Lyn.
Thanks for that, I will certainly vote for yours when the vote comes up.
Have you played with the colour replace tool in pixlr, its fun, not sure how useful but fun!