Che-Style Portraits

[i speak in math]

I'm going to show you how to turn your normal portraits into something a little more fun and stylish. I will show you, step-by-step, how to create these fun and easy shots. All you need is a few grunge style brushes, available free on the internet, and a fun portrait. An "in your face" style usually compliments the technique best.

http://picasaweb.google.com/enoeske/...82219091685730

I start by creating a new project. Since my grunge brushes are small, I usually use a smaller 800x600 canvas.

http://picasaweb.google.com/enoeske/...81948372700834

Once you have that up, create a two color gradient. Select you colors. I like combinations such as red and orange, or green and yellow. Use fun bright colors. I usually make my gradient from the top left to the bottom right.

http://picasaweb.google.com/enoeske/...81959227301154

Next, start adding your grunge brushes to the corners and sides. I like to do this on a new layer in case I don't like the results. You will want to leave a large space in the middle for your subject. Don't go overboard on the brushes, fewer is better. If you use too many, it starts muddying up the shot.

http://picasaweb.google.com/enoeske/...81973600800242

[i speak in math]

To insert the portrait, I use the "place" function located in the file menu. I resize the picture by holding shift and dragging the corners (shift keeps the aspect ratio of the shot). Then center, or 1/3, your subject on the canvas and click the check mark to place it.

http://picasaweb.google.com/enoeske/...81978070743250

In order for the image to be editable, you will need to rasterize the image you placed. If you drag your subject image over your canvas, you may not need to do this.

http://picasaweb.google.com/enoeske/...81987382229330

Next, we need to erase the background from the subject image. I like to use the quick mask tool and "paint" my subject. Choose quick mask, then the paint brush. I use around 50% hardness and whatever size brush is needed.

http://picasaweb.google.com/enoeske/...82002953691538

[i speak in math]

Exiting the quick mask mode will result in the background being selected. Press DEL to clear the background. (Note: this only deletes the the visible part of that layer, if you move it, you may see new parts of the layer enter the screen)

http://picasaweb.google.com/enoeske/...82013228095746

Now that the subject is the only remaining thing, we can threshold it. Go to Image > adjustments > threshold to apply it. Using the New Adjustment Layer from the layers window will result in this being applied to the whole image, not just the subject layer. We don't want that.

http://picasaweb.google.com/enoeske/...82025277063794

If it appears that the clothes are too bright and the face too dark, go back and copy the dark parts to a new layer (ctrl-j is the shortcut). Here, I copied the face and hand to a new layer. Then used levels to bring out the details.

http://picasaweb.google.com/enoeske/...82040189873458

[i speak in math]

Now that your subject is black and white and looking cool, we are almost done. Use the color selection tool found in the select menu. Click on the color white in the layer. Press okay. Everything that is white should be selected. Press DEL to erase all that ugly white. We are just about done.

http://picasaweb.google.com/enoeske/...82056243062994

Notice that small strip of white on top of my subjects arm? We don't want that either. Zoom in and repeat that last step, clicking on that color in that strip and deleting it. Repeat as necessary throughout your image. I found quite a few in mine.

http://picasaweb.google.com/enoeske/...82207415210786

Once you get all that white out of there, flatten the image and, voila, you're done! Remember, this is supposed to be fun. Get some images of friends in fun, in your face, poses. Let's see em!

http://picasaweb.google.com/enoeske/...82219091685730


Thanks for reading my tutorial. If you like my other work, leave a comment or two. I have only been shooting since July 2008 but am really progressing thanks to this site. I shoot in full manual now, something I had no idea how to do just a few months ago. I hope to start selling some work soon.

[Nicole]

Looks like you got it all working now Much easier to read with the images I must say Very nice explanation though, and cool effect!

[zespri]

I have downloaded heaps of grunge brushes this morning, but wasn't really happy with any of them. But it's better than my telli-tubby vomit version! I made a brighter version as well, but liked this one best (besides the sub-par grunge).

I did it a bit differently to you, initially because I got confused to start with, but I think it works just as well. I just opened up the image in photoshop and added a layer for the colours, rather than 'placing' the picture inside it.

I still love it, it's an awesome effect, you should feel pleased you made such neat pics, and such easy instructions

[duna]

Okay. So I gotta work on how to use all these new grunge brushes better.

But that was FUN! Thanks!

[letterwoman]

This didn't work for me. The background color for the face and skin in my photo didn't get deleted. After I deleted the white area, the skin color still stayed. What did I do wrong? After I make the adjustment layer of the photo, am I supposed to do something else? I don't know how all of you got it to work.

Dave & guns.jpg

[i speak in math]

Originally Posted by letterwoman

This didn't work for me. The background color for the face and skin in my photo didn't get deleted. After I deleted the white area, the skin color still stayed. What did I do wrong? After I make the adjustment layer of the photo, am I supposed to do something else? I don't know how all of you got it to work.

Attachment 5729

Did you have 2 copies of the layer, one in color and the other with the threshold? It seems like something went awry. Try going over the directions one more time. You also shouldn't be using any adjustment layers since those apply to every layer, and many of the things we are doing are layer specific.

[letterwoman]

Ohhhhhhhhhh. Duh. Sorry, I misread your instructions. Now I got it to work right. Thanks!