Simple, Versatile Photo Enhancing Technique

All of this was done using Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.

Here is the original photo:

And here is the end result:


Steps:
1. First I cropped the image. I really liked how the lines lead your eye to the bee, so I didn't want to cut too much of that out. I also really liked the shadow and the out-of-focus area at the top left corner of the photo. With that in mind, I cropped as much as I could out of the image.

2. I always sharpen my image. Even if it doesn't look like it needs it, I am always surprised by how much sharper my image is afterward. I went to the "Enhance" drop-down menu at the top of the screen and clicked on "Unsharp Mask". Normally I have the numbers set at: amount 175%, radius 2 pixels, and threshold 3 levels. But this photo is more detailed, so I set the numbers to: amount 150%, radius to 1.5 pixels, and threshold 4. It all really depends on what works for the individual photo.

3. The color was really good, so next I just adjusted the contrast (go to "Enhance" and click on "lighting" and then "Brightness/Contrast"). I really love contrast, so I increased the contrast to +100.

4. Next, I wanted to emphasize the bee more, so I used the selection brush and made a selection of the bee and it's shadow. I made sure to include lots of the surrounding leaf as well.

5. Then I pressed shift+ctrl+I to invert the selection. Now everything BUT the bee and the surrounding leaf was selected.

6. Next I went to "Select" clicked on "Refine Edge" and set the numbers to: Smooth 0, Feather: 250 px., and Contract/Expand: -71%.


7. Next I clicked the bucket tool and set the numbers to Opacity 55%, Tolerance 255, and set the mode to "Soft Light". Then I clicked inside of the selected area.

8. Then just ctrl+D to deselect, and I have my enhanced image! I use this simple process on most of the photos that I enhance.

Something not clear? Have a question? Feel free to ask by leaving a comment below!

Floating Illusion Using Layer Masks In Photoshop Elements

This is very simple and easy to do with great results!

1. First you need two photos. Mount your camera on a tripod because the camera CAN'T MOVE or else this won't work. Take the first photo with the object or person you want to appear to float suspended in the air.

To do this you can use a chair, ladder, etc.


2. Remove the person/object and whatever was suspending it and take another photo.


3.Place the photo with the person on top of the photo without the person. When finished, make sure both layers are simplified before continuing.

4. Now add an adjustment layer in photoshop elements (or layer mask in any other photoshop). Only add adjustment layer that won't change the appearance of your photo such as brighness/contrast or levels adjustment layers.

5. Now place the adjustment layer beneath the layer with the person in the layers palette.

6.Highlight the layer with the person in the layers palette and click "ctrl g" or go to the top of the screen click in the layer drop-down menu and click "group with previous". You should now have the layer with the person grouped with the adjustment layer. A small black arrow pointing from the top layer to the adjustment layer will indicate this.


7. Now, making sure the adjustment layer is highlighted, pain over the chairs with black. Made a mistake? Paint back over with white to reveal.

8. Next I added a shadow beneath the person using the burn tool and...


Pretty cool, huh?

Questions? Leave a comment below.