Merlyn
12-27-2006, 12:26 AM
Here is an idea, not mine, that you can do for the children in your life. They can color a photo that you have taken. If you use photoshop, you can make a coloring page for them. Make up several and then make a book of your photos for them to color. This works better with some photos then others. Experiment and see what you can do.
The first step is to turn a photo into a
sketch, and that's exactly what we'll do in 6 easy steps.
STEP 1 - Duplicate The Background Layer First duplicate the
background layer. Go Layer > New > Layer via Copy. Now we
have 2 layers, the Background Layer, and Layer 1.
STEP 2 - Desaturate The Photo With Layer 1 selected, choose
Image > Adjustments > Desaturate. This gives us a grayscale
version of the photo.
STEP 3 - Duplicate Layer 1 At this point you must duplicate
Layer 1. With Layer 1 selected, click Layer > New > Layer
via Copy. Now we have 3 layers, the Background Layer, Layer
1 and Layer 2.
Now we will work with Layer 2.
STEP 4 - Invert Layer 2 With Layer 2 selected, click Image >
Adjustments > Invert. This will make your photo look like a
negative.
STEP 5 - Change The Layers Blend Mode To Color Dodge In the
Layers Palette change the Layers Blend Mode for this layer
(Layer 2) to Color Dodge. This will make your photo almost
completely white, ok, don't panic! it's part of the process!
STEP 6 - Apply The Gaussian Blur Filter Click Filter > Blur
> Gaussian Blur. When the dialog box appears start by moving
the Radius Slider all the way to the left. Once you've done
that you can start to slowly move it to the right.
Now here comes some real Photoshop magic - As you move the
slider you'll see your sketch will start to appear. Now
experiment to make sure you are getting the desired effect.
Remember bigger numbers create a more pronounced effect, but
will turn your sketch back into a photo, which you don't
want, so when you reach that point simply nudge the slider
to the left just a little and that should do it!
Experiment With Settings
This technique will also work with the Motion Blur Filter
and the Radial Blur Filter. The reason I mention this is
sometimes an image will not work as expected, and so you
have to try different methods.
Now go ahead and print out your best sketches, then let the kids go crazy with their crayons and coloring pencils! They'll love you for it!
The first step is to turn a photo into a
sketch, and that's exactly what we'll do in 6 easy steps.
STEP 1 - Duplicate The Background Layer First duplicate the
background layer. Go Layer > New > Layer via Copy. Now we
have 2 layers, the Background Layer, and Layer 1.
STEP 2 - Desaturate The Photo With Layer 1 selected, choose
Image > Adjustments > Desaturate. This gives us a grayscale
version of the photo.
STEP 3 - Duplicate Layer 1 At this point you must duplicate
Layer 1. With Layer 1 selected, click Layer > New > Layer
via Copy. Now we have 3 layers, the Background Layer, Layer
1 and Layer 2.
Now we will work with Layer 2.
STEP 4 - Invert Layer 2 With Layer 2 selected, click Image >
Adjustments > Invert. This will make your photo look like a
negative.
STEP 5 - Change The Layers Blend Mode To Color Dodge In the
Layers Palette change the Layers Blend Mode for this layer
(Layer 2) to Color Dodge. This will make your photo almost
completely white, ok, don't panic! it's part of the process!
STEP 6 - Apply The Gaussian Blur Filter Click Filter > Blur
> Gaussian Blur. When the dialog box appears start by moving
the Radius Slider all the way to the left. Once you've done
that you can start to slowly move it to the right.
Now here comes some real Photoshop magic - As you move the
slider you'll see your sketch will start to appear. Now
experiment to make sure you are getting the desired effect.
Remember bigger numbers create a more pronounced effect, but
will turn your sketch back into a photo, which you don't
want, so when you reach that point simply nudge the slider
to the left just a little and that should do it!
Experiment With Settings
This technique will also work with the Motion Blur Filter
and the Radial Blur Filter. The reason I mention this is
sometimes an image will not work as expected, and so you
have to try different methods.
Now go ahead and print out your best sketches, then let the kids go crazy with their crayons and coloring pencils! They'll love you for it!