Photoshop Tricks

I figured that I could help out my fellow DJs by posting some tricks I learned on Adobe Photoshop. Nothing is too complicated, so with a little bit of patience, you can take a so-so shot and make a really interesting picture.

BTW, I'm going to assume you're pics were taken in color.

To make a color image black & white, simply follow these steps:

image>adjustments>hue/saturation

Using the "saturation" slide, move it to the left. This effectively takes all the color out of your picture.

Once your pic is B&W, it may appear too bright or to dark. You have a few choices here. You can simply adjust the "lrightness" on the same popup you used to desaturate your pic. Or you can select image>adjustments>brightness/contrast.

I usually use the second method because it allows you the ability to not only lighten/darken the pic, but to adjust the contrast to bring out details that might not show up as well when viewed in black and white.

This one's a little trickier. Use the method above to make your picture B&W, but do not desaturate to 100%. Instead, stop at about 90%-95%.

Once your pic is black and white, select the "Magnetic Lasso Tool" from the toolbar in the upper left corner. Move the pointer over the object you want to add color back to. Click on the edge of your target and slowly work your way around it.

You'll notice that the lasso will automatically attach itself to your selected target. If it doesn't want to grab a certain part, you can manually attach it by clicking once (if you double click, it thinks you're done and you have to start over).

Once you've successfully selected the entire target, open the "Hue/Saturation" popup again. Now, move the saturation slide to the right. You'll see that color is now added to the selection that you've highlighted.

If there isn't enough color in your target, but 100% looks odd, simply add color until it looks fairly natural, hit "OK", and open the popup again and keep adding saturation (color) to the picture until you get the desired effect.

Here's a before and after example of this technique.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f304/jfactor1/color.jpg



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f304/jfactor1/bwcolor.jpg

Nice stuff Jay! I gotta fire up PS tomorrow and try that out!

OK, my old camera took crappy pics. So I had to learn to correct colors in Photoshop.

This trick uses many of the same ideas as my previous post...

Here is a pic I took last yeat at a wedding on the beach of Lake Michigan.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f304/jfactor1/preadj.jpg

See how the water looks fairly green and the plants appear to be yellow and dead? Let's fix that.


Here, I just added blue to the whole pic.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f304/jfactor1/tooblue.jpg

The water looks great, but the people look like Smurfs.


Here's how to make it look presentable:

Using the magnetic wand tool, select the area of you picture that you want to adjust.

Now, got to image>adjustments>color balance.

You can now adjust the colors in your highlighted area while leaving the rest of the picture in it's original state. Just play around with the colors until the picture looks more true to life.

You may have to desaturate a little to compensate for the extra color you added.

Here's a before and after example of the same pic...
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f304/jfactor1/preadj.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f304/jfactor1/coloradj.jpg

As you can see, the water is much more blue and the sawgrass in the foreground of the picture looks much healthier in the second picture.

Now, I wouldn't consider the second picture a finished product. I whipped it out in about 5 minutes to use as an example.

With a little time, this process can yield great results.

That is awesome Jay.

Thanks Basic. I've got some more tricks to post tomorrow. :)

Here's a new trick to try. The end result is a cropped picture that has faded edges.

Open up the picture you want to edit.

In the upper left corner of the editing toolbar is the Marquee tool. Choose which shape you want to use to highlight your image. In this exercise, I'm going to use the elliptical marquee tool.

Move the cursor over your picture. Click and drag the cursor until you have selected the ammount of are you want to highlight. If the area is too small or in the wrong place, simply click "Edit>Step Backwards" and try again. :)

Once your area is outlined, click "Select>Inverse" You'll see a dotted line not only around the shape you made, but the rest of the pic as well.

Now hit "Select>Feather" a small "Feather Selection" window will popup. Enter the amount you want to feather the picture. Hint: the bigger the number, the more the pic fades out.

Now click "Edit>Cut". The outside of your pic should now be white. If you want to add color to the border, simply use the Paint Bucket Tool from the toolbar.

That's it, you're done. Play around with the amount of feathering to find a result you like.

Here's a sample of the finished product:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f304/jfactor1/Pic064.jpg

I'm no photoshop expert but I have a little something add:

After using the marquee tool to make a nice round picture. You probably should crop the circle to get rid of all that white space.

I agree Dan. You should crop the pic to get rid of excess around the pic. I normally do this, but was in a hurry since I was at work when I posted. :)

Thanks for the post's Jfactor, I now have somewhere to start on photoshop!

-Brian

On my website I have my logo and below it it says "entertainment". I want to put my logo on some stickers on cafe express and on my business cards but the logo is to long length. I was wondering if it is possible to put the entertainment next to the logo on the right side. I have an .eps file...

Is this possible?

Thank You,
Brian

Do you mean the logo is too tall? Email it over and maybe I can help you out.

Jfactor1:

Awesome tips!

My wife just attended an all-day seminar on Photoshop CS down in St. Louis, Mo. and has attended 4 workshops locally just recently.

I'll have her take a look at your posts tomorrow.

Always great to learn something new.

Thanks,

Kirby

:thumbsup:

Jfactor1:

Awesome tips!

My wife just attended an all-day seminar on Photoshop CS down in St. Louis, Mo. and has attended 4 workshops locally just recently.

I'll have her take a look at your posts tomorrow.

Always great to learn something new.

Thanks,

Kirby

:thumbsup:

If she has any tricks up her sleeve, feel free to post them!!! :)

If she has any tricks up her sleeve, feel free to post them!!! :)


I will ask her to do so........

:thumbsup:

Do you mean the logo is too tall? Email it over and maybe I can help you out.

Well I have heard about re-sizing the images but when I re-size it and make it on business cards it is really small. I want to make the logo on the left and the "entertainment" on the right, like the odjt logo.

Thanks,
Brian

Brian,

Do you have a copy of your logo without the "halo" around it?

This time we're going to touch on the lighting tool in Photoshop. Changing the lighting can really add a dramatic effect to your pictures. This is a very easy tool to use, you just have to do a little trial & error to get your desired effect.

Open your pic

Go to "Filter/Render/Lighting"

Select which lighting effect you want to use. In this example I used the default, which is "spotlight"

Just play around with this direction, size and other adjusTments until you find one you like.


Here is the original picture:
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f304/jfactor1/Pic011.jpg

And here it is with the spotlight effect:
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f304/jfactor1/PIC.jpg



Here is a pic of my wife and I. I have the spotlight coming down at an angle to draw attention to her face.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f304/jfactor1/1213749580_l.jpg

Brian,

Do you have a copy of your logo without the "halo" around it?

Nope. I know I got a .eps file so I am guessing that means it photoshop file so can I edit the logo?

BTW,
Where did you learn all of these photoshop tricks? It is amazing what this program can acomplish!

If (cough) if anyone needs any Photoshop ebooks I have some here

if anyone would like a copy (best offer at any stage)

I would love one Dennis!!!

Me too. I need to learn this program!

P.S Does anyone know if it is possible to take out the halo on an .eps file?

Thanks You,
Brian

Me too. I need to learn this program!

P.S Does anyone know if it is possible to take out the halo on an .eps file?

Thanks You,
Brian


It's pretty difficult to do. I played around with your logo for a little bit last week. It's actually called "outer glow" (my fault for calling it a halo :) ).

Anyways, I tried a bunch of different things and although I'm sure I could do it if I put enough time into it, isn't there a copy without it on that other site? Just a thought.

It's pretty difficult to do. I played around with your logo for a little bit last week. It's actually called "outer glow" (my fault for calling it a halo :) ).

Anyways, I tried a bunch of different things and although I'm sure I could do it if I put enough time into it, isn't there a copy without it on that other site? Just a thought.

Thanks Jay,
I will post back on the eagle graphix forum and see if she can give me one without the outer glow feature.

Thanks,
Brian

Jay:

Coreen is going to be out of town all week, attending some systems training seminars for her work down in North Carolina.

She said that she would like to post a few hints when she gets back and has the time (that is if she can pry my fingers of off the keyboard..LOL). She's been putting in about 15 hours OT, every week in addition to us being busy every weekend with events.

We just got some new backdrops 1 white, 1 black and one green screen and she wants to play around with those when she returns.

I'll keep you posted.

And as always...Keep up the good work and Thanks!

:thumbsup:

We just got some new backdrops 1 white, 1 black and one green screen



Very cool!!! What kind of effects are you going to do with it?

Very cool!!! What kind of effects are you going to do with it?

Not sure... LOL

Coreen is the photographer and I'm just learning, so I'm not sure what she's got up her sleeve.

I do know that we are taking "couple & small group shots" along with general crowd shots for a couple of events sponsored by one of the local group of radio stations.

I believe for these, she is going to use the backdrop(s) and then insert themed backgrounds that will be appropriate for each event.

Halloween, we are setting up and taking photos only. We will be offering a couple of photo packages for them to pick from...this will be the first time we will have done the photos for their Halloween affair. They are having a live band for the music for this one.... :(

Valentines' Day, we will be providing music and photos (much like the Halloween event). They sponsor a "Chocolate in Paradise" evening, where for a fee (around $5.00) they are entitled to eat all the chocolate that is provided by different vendors. Last year they had chocolate fountains, different kind of chocolates, chocolate brownies, chocolate cookies, etc. etc. along with beverages (alcohol too!). They only sold around 100 tickets in advance, and by then end of the evening there had been just a little over 500 people through the doors. We did the music only last year and had a blast. They asked us back and to do the music and the photos this year, so we couldn't refuse the offer.

We end up getting some "on air advertising" out of the deal, and network with a whole different base of potential clients. Last year, I booked 2 weddings from the Valentine show.

Can't complain, it's fun, and we get to eat chocolate!

I know, toooo much information!

What was the question, again? :confused:

:thumbsup:

glad we could be a part of your paycheck by having you post here while making money there. JAY-in regards to you saying you posted something while at work!
LOL!

Here is one PhotoShop e-book, I got a while back. I know Dennis has a few more. ;)

http://www.almostgeek.com/share/cs2.zip (30 MB)

PDF is in the Zip. :walkman:

just let me know jfactor what you need, as I have a few different ones here...

i'll pm anyone the list, if they let me know who wants to see the full ebook list of photoshop ebooks (or anything else)
(might be a few days I am bloody busy here lol)

PM the list to me and I'll let you know what I would like.

Thanks Dennis :sqbiggrin:

Where did you learn all of these photoshop tricks? It is amazing what this program can acomplish!

My wife's best friend works for the local newspaper and she showed me a few things. The rest I figured out because I have too much time on my hands. :sqwink:

My wife's best friend works for the local newspaper and she showed me a few things. The rest I figured out because I have too much time on my hands. :sqwink:

I too learned at a newspaper, I was a graphic artist/production assistant for the local fish wrapper, they actually brought in a guy to teach me in addition to what I learned in school.

Do I remember any of it? Nope.:walkman:

jfactor give me a few days to compile one
as when you read it you wont know where to look....

Dan - (I wont answer that one)

I was looking at Kebo's site. He has some pictures with a great blur effect. I figured out how to do it. How-to very soon

Kebo has some great pics on his site like this. A professional did his, but I figured out how to do it (I have brainfarts like this sometimes :P ).

1. Use the Magnetic Lasso tool to outline your subject (in this case, the B&G).

2. Click on "Select" from the top menu. Then select "Inverse". You should see a dotted line not only around your subject, but around the edge of the picture as well.

3. Go to "Filter-->Blur-->Motion Blur. Adjust to your liking.

You could use this trick with any of the filter effects. Play around and see what you like best.


Here's the original picture....
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f304/jfactor1/Pic018.jpg


And here's the Motion Blur effect...
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f304/jfactor1/blur.jpg

1. Use the Magnetic Lasso tool to outline your subject (in this case, the B&G).

2. Click on "Select" from the top menu. Then select "Inverse". You should see a dotted line not only around your subject, but around the edge of the picture as well.


This might actually be a better/easier way to do the Color Subject/Black & White Background trick we discussed earlier (I haven't tried it yet though).

i typically use motion blur on text, you could achieve a slightly better (imo) effect by using the gausian blur slightly, motion blur in this picture seems to busy up the background making the foreground (your subject) dificult to focus on. However that is just me.

Yeah, this wasn't the best pic to demonstrate with. But I only have a limited number of pics I took at work. :sqwink:

Excellent tips! Thanks jfactor!

Ok this is a simple thing you can try to give the pic a more warm feeling:

Begin product:
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f304/jfactor1/Pic018.jpg (thanks jfactor1 lol)

End product:
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/5765/pic018copydb9.jpg

Now how to do this:

1. Open up the picture in Photoshop
2. Duplicate the picture-layer
3. Go to Filter - Blur - Gaussian Blur and set it to around 2 pixels, depends on what you like most ;)
4. Set the duplicated layer style to "Overlay"

Done!
Ill maybe post more complicated and more detailled tutorials soon ;)

Kebo has some great pics on his site like this. A professional did his, but I figured out how to do it (I have brainfarts like this sometimes :P ).

1. Use the Magnetic Lasso tool to outline your subject (in this case, the B&G).

2. Click on "Select" from the top menu. Then select "Inverse". You should see a dotted line not only around your subject, but around the edge of the picture as well.

3. Go to "Filter-->Blur-->Motion Blur. Adjust to your liking.

You could use this trick with any of the filter effects. Play around and see what you like best.



Actually, Jay, the only picture that was done by a professional was the one of me spinning. The others I did. Like you said, I have too much time on my hands.

Kev

:sqcool: parent directory index of.....

:sqcool: parent directory index of.....

Where here? :sqeek:

:sqwink: Anywhere your precious little heart desires!

:sqwink: Anywhere your precious little heart desires!

You scared me. "Parent Directory Index of" is how the server lists empty directories. I thought you clicked on one of our links and gor that message. Don't scare a guy like that. :sqerr:

Sorry. It was a hidden nugget from previous posts of locations of .pdf files.
I was just hinting on where.......


...:sqembarrassed: and that is all I am going to say!

My pdf (almostgeek.com) is up still..Is there another one missing?

No, just a search tecnique for....
ANYTHING!!

Here's one:

If you have an underexposed picture:

Duplicate the layers (CTRL + J or APPLE KEY + J). Take the layer on top and choose SCREEN on the LAYER BLEND mode. Do this until you're JUST over what you'd like, then drop the opacity down on the topmost layer to get the exposure you'd like.

The same works with overexposed pictures, but choose the MULTIPLY option of the layer blend.

Any other example pics? I'm putting together a webpage with information about my fiancee and I and our upcoming engagement party. I'd like to include some cool effect pics to the site before going live with the site for my family.

This one's a little trickier. Use the method above to make your picture B&W, but do not desaturate to 100%. Instead, stop at about 90%-95%.

Once your pic is black and white, select the "Magnetic Lasso Tool" from the toolbar in the upper left corner. Move the pointer over the object you want to add color back to. Click on the edge of your target and slowly work your way around it.

You'll notice that the lasso will automatically attach itself to your selected target. If it doesn't want to grab a certain part, you can manually attach it by clicking once (if you double click, it thinks you're done and you have to start over).

Once you've successfully selected the entire target, open the "Hue/Saturation" popup again. Now, move the saturation slide to the right. You'll see that color is now added to the selection that you've highlighted.

If there isn't enough color in your target, but 100% looks odd, simply add color until it looks fairly natural, hit "OK", and open the popup again and keep adding saturation (color) to the picture until you get the desired effect.

Here's a before and after example of this technique.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f304/jfactor1/color.jpg



http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f304/jfactor1/bwcolor.jpg




Wow, I just tried this for the first time. Took a pic from my fiancee's graduation as she's walking down the aisle with everyone. Made everything black and white but made her in color. It's awesome. I only traced the image once and wasn't too careful as I did it but I think it still came out pretty well. Next time I'll put a little more time into it and also color in the tassel. lol

Any other tricks guys?

Ok...I'm ashamed to ask this...is there a photoshop trick that can make you look...well...skinnier? At least in the face? :sqembarrassed:

Also if a pic is kind of blurry to begin with, there's really no way to sharpen the pic is there?

actually dog there is, and its very simple.

http://www.maineventdj.com/image1.jpg

Just hit Control T which is free transform tool. Then slightly stretch the picture lengthwise

http://www.maineventdj.com/image2.jpg

You can then crop the remainder out.

And no Kevin, you can't use it in the Weight Loss thread. ;)

actually dog there is, and its very simple.

http://www.maineventdj.com/image1.jpg

Just hit Control T which is free transform tool. Then slightly stretch the picture lengthwise

http://www.maineventdj.com/image2.jpg

You can then crop the remainder out.

Yeah, but I look like a pinhead! :sqlaugh:

And no Kevin, you can't use it in the Weight Loss thread. ;)

:sqlaugh: :sqlaugh: :sqlaugh:

Yeah, but I look like a pinhead!

In the first or second picture? LOL

Jay, thank you for taking the time to share those photo tips. I'm new to digital cameras, so this will help a great deal.

actually dog there is, and its very simple.

http://www.maineventdj.com/image1.jpg

Just hit Control T which is free transform tool. Then slightly stretch the picture lengthwise

http://www.maineventdj.com/image2.jpg

You can then crop the remainder out.


This is great for our our boy Ed.

Loving the tips guys. Any more? I heard something about fishbowl.

I found some more tips online. I only did these next tricks quickly and didn't take the time to finetune them. You can still see the basic results though.


Here's the original.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e191/yourbasicdj/DSCF0065.jpg



And here's the same pic with red hair.


http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e191/yourbasicdj/prired.jpg



back to the original




http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e191/yourbasicdj/DSCF0065.jpg


now red hair with whiter teeth..


http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e191/yourbasicdj/priteeth.jpg




the original again...


http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e191/yourbasicdj/DSCF0065.jpg




and finally red hair, white teeth and blue eyes.




http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e191/yourbasicdj/prieyes.jpg

Good job Chris. But she looked best just the way she was!! LOL
Great stuff here. I can't WAIT to whiten my teeth!!

You should photoshop in a better looking guy to go with that lovely lady.:sqwink:

and how did you do that, Chris??

and how did you do that, Chris??


I'll have some steps soon. I want to work out some better routines before doing so.

These are some more pics.


Original....
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e191/yourbasicdj/DSCF0010-1.jpg





Professional Styling. The borders around our body should not be there but again I just did these quick. I'll post better pics later.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e191/yourbasicdj/pripro.jpg



Amother B&W to Color pic. Notice the table cloth, umbrella, her lips & watch as well as the plant on the right all colorized.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e191/yourbasicdj/pribbq.jpg

I have an awesome trick... if you need help creating this amazing touch-up, let me know. ;) :sqlaugh:

Original....
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e191/yourbasicdj/DSCF0010-1.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/DJCraziAce/DSCF0010-1.jpg

Wow, I've had the program for almost 2 years and never did much with it. I'm glad I finally took the time to learn some things.


Once again, here's the original.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e191/yourbasicdj/DSCF0065.jpg


and here's the new one.


http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e191/yourbasicdj/priscary.jpg

Dude! She's gonna kick your butt!!!

Wow, I've had the program for almost 2 years and never did much with it. I'm glad I finally took the time to learn some things.


http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e191/yourbasicdj/priscary.jpg




Spock . . . Spock! :rofl:

If (cough) if anyone needs any Photoshop ebooks I have some here

if anyone would like a copy (best offer at any stage)

yes guys I have a few special pdf's (ebooks) on my server (a hosting server)

located here

http://rapidshare.com/users/WF22JN

the password you will have to PM me for it to gain access

have fun all :sqbiggrin:

Five years ago, my sister found this photo in an envelope that was ripped by one of us kids and saved by my mom.

I fixed it in Photoshop:

This mock photo I made hangs in The Rosebud Diner here in the Boston area.

I made it from an interior shot someone took.

I couldn't resist....

I couldn't resist....

That's great

I just got a copy of PS and want to play!!!!

Coreen just loaded CS2 on my computer, so I can start the long process of trying to learn it....:sqwink:

Here's a little website I found.

http://www.photoshopsupport.com/tutorials.html

www.pslover.com is an awesome site with great tutorials to make graphics, image enhancements, logos and more!

Coreen just loaded CS2 on my computer, so I can start the long process of trying to learn it....:sqwink:

They just released a Beta version of CS3. All you need is a good serial # for CS2.

I'm still using PS7. :sqfrown:

They just released a Beta version of CS3. All you need is a good serial # for CS2.

I'm still using PS7. :sqfrown:

I'll pass that along to the "boss".....

We were only able to "afford" CS2 because of the Student Discount that Coreen qualified for, while attending UIS (University of Illinois - Springfield). It was very affordable and we couldn't pass up the opportunity to get it before she graduated.

Plus, it was a tax write-off and we'll take 'em when we can get 'em. :sqwink:

Thanks....

I'll pass that along to the "boss".....

We were only able to "afford" CS2 because of the Student Discount that Coreen qualified for, while attending UIS (University of Illinois - Springfield). It was very affordable and we couldn't pass up the opportunity to get it before she graduated.

Plus, it was a tax write-off and we'll take 'em when we can get 'em. :sqwink:

Thanks....


That's awesome Kirby!

FYI, here's a Photoshop tutorial you're gonna LOVE! http://pslover.com/click/7180

That's awesome Kirby!

FYI, here's a Photoshop tutorial you're gonna LOVE! http://pslover.com/click/7180

What do you think? A pompadour with a duck-tail or a Richard Simmons 'fro?

LOL....:sqerr: :sqwink: :sqrolleyes: :sqlaugh: :sqlaugh:

It's been awhile since I've posted a PS trick, so here's a fun one.

Turn a photo into a cartoon

http://www.pslover.com/click/9541

Super simple and very easy to do. Brighter images tend to work better with this one.

The only extra thing I had to do was a little brush work on her eyes. The filtering made the reflections in her eyes purple, so I used the brush tool to make them white.

I've attatched a before and after.

what forum does she moderate? ;)

OMG Jay, she Looks Just Like You!

what forum does she moderate? ;)

o wait.....that's the real Sid Vanderpoop!

It's been awhile since I've posted a PS trick, so here's a fun one.

Turn a photo into a cartoon

http://www.pslover.com/click/9541

Super simple and very easy to do. Brighter images tend to work better with this one.

The only extra thing I had to do was a little brush work on her eyes. The filtering made the reflections in her eyes purple, so I used the brush tool to make them white.

I've attatched a before and after.

Great tip, I was discussing this just yesterday. Beginners should be careful though. Not every photo is a good subject for this effect. Some tweaking is usually involved.

Great tip, I was discussing this just yesterday. Beginners should be careful though. Not every photo is a good subject for this effect. Some tweaking is usually involved.

I had to do a lot of tweking to Chris' photo to cartoonize it for the ATHF pic.

I had to do a lot of tweking to Chris' photo to cartoonize it for the ATHF pic.

Yeah, some of them are tough.

I had to do a lot of tweking to Chris' photo to cartoonize it for the ATHF pic.

And a great job you did of it too. It should have been in the final poll!.

I ran across this one and thought it was pretty fun.

A holga is a very low-tech $20 plastic medium format camera that was really made as a toy camera, but it has caught on with many photographers due to the unique look of the images a Holga produces. Holgas are plagued with light leaks, poor plastic lenses, and unpredictable controls. So why would one want to make their pristine digital image look like it was shot with a junker of a camera? Well the raw and kind of primal look you get with a holga can be very appealing for certain images, and sometimes seeing images in a slightly different format can do wonders for the feel of an image.


How-to:
http://tricks.onigo.net/2005/11/04/2-minute-tricks-14-holgafy/


My original shot...
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/185/468862916_989c358944.jpg

"Holgafied"...
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/195/471661865_d60415ee5e.jpg

I was just thinking.... maybe you could photoshop yourself to look like you are in a chicken suit. If you do a good enough job, who would know? :sqlaugh:

Here is a variation on Jay's method for removing color and leaving a selected subject colored that gives better results. Basically you are painting away the color, so the subject you leave in color maintains it's original tones.

Open your image and change your foreground color to black (press d).
Click on the Brush tool, in the Mode drop down menu select Color.
From the Brushes palette, choose a soft edged, medium sized brush.
Start painting. When you need to detail the edges of your subject, you can select a smaller brush and zoom in around the color subject.

Here is the picture that Chris did from his fiancee's graduation, the first is using Jay's method, the second is with the color painted away.
2844

2845

You can use a slight variation on Jay's motion blur dancers to get a more realistic effect.

Instead of selecting the bride and groom, select a pair of dancers.
Go to Select-->Modify-->Expand. I used 10 pixels in my example.
Then go to Filter-->Blur-->Motion Blur. And adjust to your liking. I believe I used 10 pixels again here. Press Ctrl D, to deselect your dancers and repeat for another pair or group of dancers.

This leaves the surroundings intact for a frozen in time effect. My example needs to be tweaked a bit, I did it quickly just to show the effect.

2846

BTW...for that example above, you'll notice there are dancers right behind the B&G. When you expand the selection on those dancers you will overlap the B&G. You have to then Deselect the area that overlaps the B&G.

With your original selection expanded, in the options bar, click on the third icon from the left to make you selection tool subtract from your current selection. Then select the area of the B&G that is within your current selection. This will remove the B&G from your selection, then apply the Motion Blur to the dancing couple.

I gotta run, when I get back online I'll post the effect that I did for Papa Deuce's Bubble Party pictures (also used on my site).

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Here are some I have been working on


original
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/LaPuma/ainsleebellykiss-1.jpg

fixed
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/LaPuma/ainsleebellykissPS1.jpg

I fixed the blemishes so often found on babies. I also made her skin "baby smooth" There are other things I did to this photo also.

-Puma-

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here is one I did for a model I shot the other day.


original
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/LaPuma/DSC_0069.jpg

fixed
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/LaPuma/sidepotraitwithbluredit.jpg

I did alot to this one. Fixed skin blemishes, adjusted eyes, cropped, sharpened, whitened teeth and adjusted colors.

-Puma-

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Here is one more

original
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/LaPuma/ainsleemomwindow.jpg

fixed/altered
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/LaPuma/ainsleemomwindowphotoshop-1.jpg

I used fixed/altered cuz I really dont like the lips on this one, but it shows what you can do. I changed a few things on this one.

-Puma-

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Hey Puma,

Try this one on the pic of your wife & baby. It's a "glamour shots" type effect (airbrush, selective soft focus, hides blemishes, etc.)...
http://www.pslover.com/click/10545

Here's one of my wife that I did for her Myspace page.

jfactor1: can you re-post the pictues?

Hey Puma,

Try this one on the pic of your wife & baby. It's a "glamour shots" type effect (airbrush, selective soft focus, hides blemishes, etc.)...
http://www.pslover.com/click/10545

Here's one of my wife that I did for her Myspace page.

Can you post the orginal photo? I would like to show you something different. Thanks

Anyone watch the Photoshop Users TV podcasts?
http://www.photoshopusertv.com/

Lots of great tips available there.