I think I'm finally getting it

[mel]

I've been trying out two things since yesterday and I think I'm finally getting the hang of it. The thing I was stuck on was the texturized background and I've been trying to do it as Kimi explained in the general elements section on texture effects. After trying many many times and refusing to give up I finally got it. I used this texture effect and made it into a pattern and used it for this background....

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1uVTXLBFqjNWRAChSppAuvyc4ooupW_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1uVTXLBFqjNWRAChSppAuvyc4ooupW)

The background is the water in the photo itself.

Comments appreciated :)

[Wendy]

Hi Mel ...

Oh that is just beautiful ... !! and a great idea using the sea as a background :)

Wendy

[mel]

Thank you Wendy, I'm still experimenting with a few things but that's what makes elements so much fun isn't it :)

[Robyn]

Quite stunning Mel. Aren't you pleased that you perservered........look what you have created!

[mel]

Thanks Robyn...

and I'm still perservering.......;)

[karen donnybrook]

Mel,

I thought the other image was great but this is fantastic.

Karen

[Valerie]

Mel..love the effect done on this. I have seen this done a few times now in the forum, I must have missed the first thread. So could you please point me in the right direction, so I might try this effect as well. I have found the background texture effect thread, but can't find the 3D effect thread. Thx.

[Caroleen]

WOW! for a beginner that is really great. I would love to do something like that as well. Impressed!!!

[NMarti]

Mel
Another beautiful one. I really like the sea in the background.

[mel]

Mel..love the effect done on this. I have seen this done a few times now in the forum, I must have missed the first thread. So could you please point me in the right direction, so I might try this effect as well. I have found the background texture effect thread, but can't find the 3D effect thread. Thx.

Thanks Valerie, here's the link to Kay's explanation

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12723&page=2

Scroll down to message # 13 and just follow the steps....it's real easy :)

[mel]

Karen, Caroleen and Nancy, thank you for the compliments :)

[ChristineV]

Very Nice Mel!!

[mel]

Thank you Christine :)

[Caroleen]

Mel, did you follow a tutorial to do the 3D effect? I would be very interested. Carol

[mel]

Hi Carol,

Look at message #10 in this thread....I posted a link there for Valerie to where the tutorial is. Kay explained it in another thread and it's very easy to follow :)

[NRiceDesigns]

Mel - absolutely beautiful!

[mel]

Thank you Nita :)

[BettyC]

Beautiful & impressive, Mel! What a great job you did!

[mel]

Thank you Betty :)

[kim2900]

Wow! Very striking! I've looked at several of the galleries that contain this technique and it is perfect for a scenic shot. I can't wait to try it, as well! It does look like something that should be hung on a wall! I'm constantly being amazed by everyone's creativeness and imagination.

Kim

[ktnoon60]

Gorgeous Mel, what a fantastic sunset!

Terry

[kayser]

Mel- Just echoing what everyone else has already said- it's beautiful! The combination of the two techniques works perfectly. It's great to see how someone starts something and then others run with it.

[kim2900]

Mel and Kay:

Are the instructions for this effect the same for PSE3 as for 4, because I am not getting the same results (I'm using Elements 3). I've followed the instructions, creating a background from the layer, and then duplicating the layer. When I trim the bottom and top off of the bottom layer, the layer above it does the same thing, so I'm left with two layers the exact same dimensions. When I make the rectangular selections, I see the bevels and/or shadows but the whole picture is the same size. The selections are not longer, as in your pictures. I'm sure I'm doing something wrong but I can't figure it out. Thanks for any help you can give me.

[mel]

Gorgeous Mel, what a fantastic sunset!

Terry

Actually Terry it the sunrise...... ;)

Thanks for the compliment :)

[mel]

Thanks Kay and Kim, I'm glad you like it :)

[mel]

Mel and Kay:

Are the instructions for this effect the same for PSE3 as for 4, because I am not getting the same results (I'm using Elements 3). I've followed the instructions, creating a background from the layer, and then duplicating the layer. When I trim the bottom and top off of the bottom layer, the layer above it does the same thing, so I'm left with two layers the exact same dimensions. When I make the rectangular selections, I see the bevels and/or shadows but the whole picture is the same size. The selections are not longer, as in your pictures. I'm sure I'm doing something wrong but I can't figure it out. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Kim I'm using PSE 3 as well so it should work.

The same thing happened to me and I just turned the bottom layer off by clicking the eyeball and then it did look the way it was supposed to ;)

[kim2900]

Hi, everyone:

I tried it again this morning and I think I've got the basics down! Still need to practice but I was starting to think I was the only one who couldn't figure it out (duh!):eek: Thanks for the help!

Kim

[hfgerena]

Hi;

I just love the sunset, it's amazing how all the colors blends. Magnificent job!!!

[Valerie]

Sorry for the delay in replying Mel, I have been away......thanks very much for the link back to the great technique.

[virgo1]

Mel,
It gorgeous. Do you have plans to hang it also?
Eva;)

[Robyn]

Mel has inspired me with her sunset.

This is my try.

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/gallery/view_img.php?id=11394

[jo]

That's a beauty, Robyn.

And I love your yellow orb -- the thumbnail looks like a funny face!

[Robyn]

Thanks Jo..........actually daffodils of course! :D

[mom to 4]

Mel & Robyn:

Sunrise/Sunset......both are stunning! Mel, I just love the way you used the water as the background. What did you do, take a pice of the water and stretch it out? It is really lovely!

Robyn:

I really like the way you brought the colors from the sunset out on to that background. It looks terrific! How did you do that? Graident????

I wish I had more imagination!:o

[Robyn]

Hi Colleen............yes, it was just a gradient.

[mel]

Mel has inspired me with her sunset.

This is my try.

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/gallery/view_img.php?id=11394

WOW Robyn...

Usually it's YOU who inspires me :D

It's beautiful, love the colours of the sky :)

[mel]

Mel & Robyn:

Sunrise/Sunset......both are stunning! Mel, I just love the way you used the water as the background. What did you do, take a pice of the water and stretch it out? It is really lovely!

I wish I had more imagination!:o

I cropped the water out of the photo and selected all and made a pattern of it ;)