Creative Homework (week 1)

[kimi_boo]

How about a little creative homework? :D

This week we will use Corey's killer tips video about Clipping Mask.
You assignment if you choose to accept it. (hopefully you do)
Post an image on Pixentral using the Clipping Mask and add at least one other effect. text, a photo, a brush.. ect.
Remember... you do not have to use your own images. Seek and you will find some really cool free images out there.
If we get enough people, we will do week 2. ;)

BTW... you do not have to be a subscriber to participate. Just give it a try.
Post your images here. I will start another thread for comments.

[ChristineV]

Kimi, thank you for starting this and the fire under me to get me moving!

Here is my submission .. of course and as always all comments welcome ;) edited to add: this is 4 images and I added the soccer ball and blue ribbon in corner.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1j6IvH4PAAIos4bmxqxEcItVlM9KD_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1j6IvH4PAAIos4bmxqxEcItVlM9KD)

[kimi_boo]

Here's mine. Two images, added the spider and the moon. :p

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1MITbN5k6rDM4a2tbuNpkXxx0cdwgV0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1MITbN5k6rDM4a2tbuNpkXxx0cdwgV0)

[msbrad]

Can't play now,as I do not have any extra creative brain cells.
Overwhelmed with Collages and Comp at the moment.
I do like the idea though.
m

[dsfisher421]

Kimi,
Thanks for the shove. Will have to play with the clipping mask some more as I was not having much luck getting it to work on the original photos I chose to work with. Not sure why.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1sND6MvjWuu73RjnD6HmkPqgFbK9j0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1sND6MvjWuu73RjnD6HmkPqgFbK9j0)

[peaches]

O.K. I am going to take the plunge here. Have only been using elements for a few months, and also have very little creative talent. 4 images in this.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1ez160qbYKHuya7RhYYPzjnnZpgR2_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1ez160qbYKHuya7RhYYPzjnnZpgR2)

suzi

[billz]

Here's my effort.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1czWBu4PDJrcWosz05CAdNsmVyyeA_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1czWBu4PDJrcWosz05CAdNsmVyyeA)

Bill

[peaches]

this is fun. had to try one more

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1B3W2LvxczybbJ4gBihhGBqVjDfs_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1B3W2LvxczybbJ4gBihhGBqVjDfs)

suzi

[AngelicKim]

I missed this video. Kimi thanks for the assignment. I am downloading the video now to work on tomorrow.

The ones posted so far are great. I think I am going to love this one.

BTW Michelle, love the changing of your avatar lately. Too cute.

[hukari]

BTW Michelle, love the changing of your avatar lately. Too cute.

Great work, everyone! I too am working on C&C, but I am enjoying looking at everyone's masterpieces!

Michelle, have you demoted yoursefl to hatchling, or what?:confused::(

[JulieM]

I like the idea of "homework" based on the Killer Tips videos. Thanks for starting this!

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1YC8OVFRc9RWMYicSJ9Uw7lMBRyicb_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1YC8OVFRc9RWMYicSJ9Uw7lMBRyicb)

[karen donnybrook]

Hope I am not too late -

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/15nKtRU3M89SUkxC9jmz1M4ZJpZkXS0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=15nKtRU3M89SUkxC9jmz1M4ZJpZkXS0)

The two signs were too far apart and on the wrong angles to get into one photo. This was taken out in the middle of the desert on the Gunbarrell Highway.

Karen :)

[Pauline]

Well it might be cheating since I did this one a few months ago but I just love the way it turned out. 3 images here. The mountains, the snowy trees and what was water, and the building (which is what we were supposed to use in a challenge) Colour corrections were used to blend them all together, and masking of course.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1oyhcLqge1nU0zmqUvEFdJSW955TC_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1oyhcLqge1nU0zmqUvEFdJSW955TC)

[Red Sky]

I combined a slide scan of my grandmother in Bryce Canyon in 1955 with one of my grandfather the same day at a different vantage point. It kind of looks like a single photo. Kind of spooky.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1wQFyNBx9yorqQ3mzo6U2iam42i8G_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1wQFyNBx9yorqQ3mzo6U2iam42i8G)

[apasskey]

This is sort of a strange one. I took the outdoor picture of a church and added a stained glass window from inside it. Andie

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1L6yWYUPxYp06uFG9CAdGf3IokmD1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1L6yWYUPxYp06uFG9CAdGf3IokmD1)

And here is another one I did - it is in my gallery.
http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/gallery/view_img.php?id=15926

[kimi_boo]

I forgot... (Andie's church reminded me) I did this one in class. It is a really easy way to add clouds at the top. :) This one is in my gallery.

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/gallery/view_img.php?id=12227

[lindajay]

Kimi, I think this is a neat idea. Thanks for starting it.

I did find this a difficult project. I think you really do need just the right photos, and I had a hard time finding them. But . . . here is my homework assignment :)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1VNxTpdNJNCMcuHCtkj6H7WanUe0x0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1VNxTpdNJNCMcuHCtkj6H7WanUe0x0)

[Pauline]

Linda that's so cute!

Something you all might want to keep in mind when using many different photos is that at the end you can unify them more by adding a photo filter on top. Try changing the blending modes, different opacity settings etc. It really does make a difference.

[CarolLHB]

Kimi-this is a great idea!

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1Y1wdtRvsDx6vuaYes3Piwbkv08bY1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1Y1wdtRvsDx6vuaYes3Piwbkv08bY1)

[dsfisher421]

Worked with the technique some more. Played with the filters and blending modes.
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1c1mdfteB8OTAjlXloHMZiGhTPcZT_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1c1mdfteB8OTAjlXloHMZiGhTPcZT)

[GaryK]

My attempt.:)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1oNbf0gTP6TbDiX06ncIAjRJazj8_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1oNbf0gTP6TbDiX06ncIAjRJazj8)

[karen donnybrook]

I have done another one. These three butterflys were in three different photos and were taken at Kuranda in Queensland.


http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/13ES9XoDbcC3biEuZ78Hs8tuXi_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=13ES9XoDbcC3biEuZ78Hs8tuXi)

Karen :)

[spotodog]

i think the podcasts by Corey are the best! I finally understand masks!
Here is my first attempt at using them. this is my daughter who went to a Lebowskifest event (The Big Lebowski movie) blended with a window in Manhattan.

hopefully i used pixentral correctly...

http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1XlVq5rU320V4FWdrv1xHtQvKYHdl

[spotodog]

hi,
how do I get my image to show in the post?
okay, i couldn't find the thread for comments for the homework...

thanks,
eleanor

[Pauline]

Eleanor if you triple click the second link under your picture when you post it......the one that says for forums..........copy it and then paste it here in the message it will show a small clickable thumbnail.

Great collage by the way!

[spotodog]

sorry for cluttering the thread, but i want to see if i can actually get the thumbnail to appear.

thanks,
eleanor

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1XlVq5rU320V4FWdrv1xHtQvKYHdl_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1XlVq5rU320V4FWdrv1xHtQvKYHdl)

[msbrad]

Great work Everyone. I enjoyed looking at them all.
I probably need to go and review the video again.

I'll probably stick with the birds (avatars) for awhile.
It can certainly be an indicator of how it is going.
i'll go loook for a hatchling too;)
m

[Diana]

I've enjoyed viewing everyone's homework.....so I've decided to try one. This is a combination of four images. Sometimes it's trial and error...undo and redo....to get the gradient angle just right.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1bGnO5F6f4whSDhMNcx1bt7nqyM_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1bGnO5F6f4whSDhMNcx1bt7nqyM)

Diana

[lindajay]

Diana, that's precious!

[Diana]

Thanks, Linda. Hayden is really getting into horses (like her mother was at her age).

Diana

[kroberts]

Here's my try at using the clipping masks. Not really "creative" but I enjoyed learning another method to combine photos.

This is my youngest nephew, Rory:
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1VQZCZCKCCP5Peo2qqQHfkOopDW61_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1VQZCZCKCCP5Peo2qqQHfkOopDW61)

I'm open to suggestions for improvement!

[kroberts]

Here's another one, this one is a little more creative:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1eg1lDd2PdkjdUQMSLWNUcmDCGapOh_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1eg1lDd2PdkjdUQMSLWNUcmDCGapOh)

This was a dull photo straight out of the camera, gray and dreary!

[karen donnybrook]

I have redone my butterflys

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1mIgvZlhpWGnNw3XqOqy9SUmBLKPy01_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1mIgvZlhpWGnNw3XqOqy9SUmBLKPy01)

Is it better or worse - please be frank with me.

Karen :)

[spotodog]

hi,
sorry to ask again, but i have been trying and i can't get the clipping mask method to work when i have more than two photos that i am blending together. when i have a third, and i apply the gradient to the clipping mask layer, i end up with black on the layer that isn't grouped....

help!
thanks,
eleanor

[bayhli]

Where is this "Killer Tips" video that explains the clipping mask?

[spotodog]

the clipping mask video is a podcast that you can get from itunes.
they are weekly and are GREAT!

[bayhli]

And I suppose you need the pod to watch them? I have an iPod but not with a screen...

Thanks Spotodog!

[spotodog]

no! you don't need an ipod. you can watch it right on your computer...

[mottcru]

Great thread Kimi - I'll participate later. For now I am downloading the podcasts. Pat, just go to the subscriber area and look for the place to download the podcasts. You'll have to have iTunes on your computer, but that's easy to get too. Don't need an iPod!!!

[nkeevers]

Kimi, have a question on the clipping masks! I tried and got to gradient no problem. But, and I don't know much about gradients yet, when I picked my colors and dragged thru the image, the first time it changed to those two colors and the next time it changed to a dark color. Why is that? (and does it fill the entire image with the color?) Or am I doing something wrong. Corey said to do it several times but it doesn't work for me.:confused:

[JulieM]

I decided to post one more, after Eleanor (aka spotodog) told me how to use two separate clipping groups in order to include three images:

http://http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1qwMT1daCV6sIsJ9F38UXmGoyT8ev10_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1qwMT1daCV6sIsJ9F38UXmGoyT8ev10)

[uniqcrafts]

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r206/uniqcrafts/OurHoneymoonRedone.jpg

I did not use the Clipping Mask on my homework. Give me an "F". But to me it looks the same as the others. What does the Clipping Mask supposed to accomplish?

[Inspeqtor]

And I suppose you need the pod to watch them? I have an iPod but not with a screen...



if you are a subscriber you can download the video to your computer, and then watch it with Quicktime :)

[spotodog]

hi all,
i decided to post one more..this one used three separate images...

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1o2MCCH1b0FRsRvnVZmXPrkGAMIF_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1o2MCCH1b0FRsRvnVZmXPrkGAMIF)

[Bayla]

Finally catching up on these Creative Homeworks.....thanks Kimi for organising this.

This was the spur I needed to do something with the photos from my US trip last summer.....took me a while to work out how to place the gradient so as to avoid a harsh edge....

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/13rJJvw5b9RCsqz1L4oGoOcOokfWvm_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=13rJJvw5b9RCsqz1L4oGoOcOokfWvm)


Bayla

[kroberts]

Bayla,

That is beautiful!:) It would make a great poster!

How did you do the letters?

[kimi_boo]

Oh Bayla... That is wonderful!!! :D :D
You did a fantastic job!

[Bayla]

Thanks Kimi & Kim. To do the text I duplicated the flag layer, put it above the text layer, applied a clipping mask & then a layer style (Wow Plastic Clear)

This was a brilliant way to jazz up a very boring grey looking sky!

Was there no separate 'Comments' thread to accompany this one?

Bayla

[kimi_boo]

Bayla, I looked for the comment thread also. Seems to be missing. This is fine. :) It is just great what we can do with a clipping mask. :D

[JNBarros]

Here is my blended photo using the clipping mask from the podcast.

Joann

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1GGtJVOJFNTGPDrbo1MRJadxsp47M1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1GGtJVOJFNTGPDrbo1MRJadxsp47M1)

[kroberts]

Joann,

Looks like there are twins! Great job blending the two photos!:)

[kimi_boo]

I agree.. you did a great job Joann. :D :D

[JNBarros]

Your praise made me smile :p and means a lot. It took a few tries with the gradient to get it just right. I might try and selectively blur the grass on the right to blend in better, but that means a little bit of work, and this one was just fun!

Joann

[twoaussies]

I just found these lessons, so am coming in kind of late.
Tried the Clipping Mask, and got into all kinds of trouble.
Here is what happened -
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1UKLo8cWaPJceK5yxXCS1r3xyTozK0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1UKLo8cWaPJceK5yxXCS1r3xyTozK0)
I used the opaque at first, then thought that was the problem, looks like it, so didnt use the opaque on this photo.
Can someone help, I really need it before I just put this idea on the back burner. Jean

[Bayla]

Jean,

Where are you starting your gradient from? Looks like you could be off the page when you start drawing the gradient. Also, don't take it quite so much over to the left when you release (I'm presuming you're going from Right to Left?) then you won't get the straight line in the middle - it'll be more gradual. Lastly make sure the opacity of the gradient is 100% (look at the toolbar at the top)

Let me know if this helps at all.

Bayla

Oh & BTW you don't want to know how long it took me to master this effect! Don't give up!!

[jhtowhsley]

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1Rdr6lMNguxgKYIiX5L6RqY42FOP51_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1Rdr6lMNguxgKYIiX5L6RqY42FOP51)
Here is my try. Hamish

[twoaussies]

Bayla: I feel so stupid. I checked the opacities both on the gradient and when I moved the photos around - both at 100%. Here are the photos
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1W6lUh5vpQKQOxJeUALAneNtQp2Zau1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1W6lUh5vpQKQOxJeUALAneNtQp2Zau1)
and here is the original of the map
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1nlOdZOysAZnypyIP25bajpbxu3p_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1nlOdZOysAZnypyIP25bajpbxu3p)
You can see that the map has good colour.
Now what? There are such lovely photos in this thread, I just cant get it. Many thanks to all for your help. Jean

[smiles]

Wow,
nice job, I love it! Just makes you want to travel doesn't it!

[Bayla]

Jean,

The whole point is to get a gradual fading from one image to the other. I think if you just start the gradient (going from R to L) a little further to the left you'll get the effect you're hoping to acheive - you'll have the rich tones of the map on the right gradually fading into the elephants.

Bayla

[Bayla]

Jean,

Here's very quickly what I did with your map and another elephant picture.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/16kB1v0zTFGFUgE9lYIOcr2fzSOPz4_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=16kB1v0zTFGFUgE9lYIOcr2fzSOPz4)

I started the gradient quite far in, almost at the border of Ethiopia & Kenya so as to preserve the rich colour on the right. You could also try changing the stops on the colour gradient so that the fade starts further over...

Bayla

[smiles]

Oh Bayla, This is gorgeous! I have to try this one.

[kimi_boo]

Jean... a screen shot for you. :)

Same map, different elephant.
The key to making this work for me is... I use Ctrl T to free transform my gradient where I want it to be. Works Great!

Just make sure you are using the second one. Black to Transparent.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1pEEjkXiXtm4SF9Nu25Mck34Zv4_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1pEEjkXiXtm4SF9Nu25Mck34Zv4)

Do try another.

[emkayess65]

Hi, I didn't get it when this thread was first out and figured this is my chance to get to understand this technique.
Well maybe. This one seems to work.
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1elOQ8aqw8oCUVMXbrmBeategA0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1elOQ8aqw8oCUVMXbrmBeategA0)

But I wanted to do three and it's not so good.
I am including a screenshot. Could someone possibly tell me what I am doing wrong.
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1WTWsuEqZNvByK5sjT1SFeoAh0QY3u0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1WTWsuEqZNvByK5sjT1SFeoAh0QY3u0)
For one thing the video makes a point of using a black-to-white gradient and going left to right. I have to check the reverse to get any kind of result.
I figured out that you only have to drag a very short distance within the overlap. In the video it looks like he is draging from her face to the right edge.
Please, helllllp.
I have really struggled with this and I'm just so far lost even GPS couldn't get me home.
Thank you,

[kimi_boo]

Marie...

I never tried 3 but I know it was talked about in the comment thread and I am pretty sure they worked it out. You may have to dig thru most of the thread to find it but it should give you what you are looking for. :)

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18976

[twoaussies]

Kim: That is absolutely perfect. I want to do that.
Interesting - my gradient is on the other side of the thumbnail, i.e. black to transparent from right to left. The gradient I used was foreground to transparent in black. May be I am just putting the photos onto the screen the wrong way - how do you do it.
Well, I know where my evening is going. Jean

[kimi_boo]

Jean it doesn't matter which side. Just remember the black part is what will make your photo show. The more black you have the more the top image will be seen. My black was on the left because my elephant was on the right and I wanted to see that part of my bottom image. Go back and look at the screen shot again.

Group your image. Draw out your gradient and then use Free Transform to adjust it to where you want it to be. That way you can see how much of your top image shows. :)

[twoaussies]

By jove, I think I've got it. It was two things, starting inside the photo, and I used the eraser tool to bring out the elephant. Wow, I am going to go crazy on these.
Many thanks to all who helped. Jean
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1r5gdi1T6Y6dpuq8Psp0dE9iSO3kT_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1r5gdi1T6Y6dpuq8Psp0dE9iSO3kT)

[lindajay]

Jean, that is just beautiful! I need to try this again. I'm beginning to see lots of possibilities.

[emkayess65]

Hi Kimi,
thanks for taking the time to try to rescue me.
I did read both threads. Got the "recipes" saved and will hunt for some appropriate images to try it.
Hope you enjoyed you Anniversary and your trip.

Love the homework threads - to read them.
Gotto give myself a lowplaced kick and participate.
Thanks again for doing the PEThomework.
MarieS

[Stoney]

Using Cory's Clever Transition from original picture to sketch. Very subtle; may have to look close.
http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=11Fq0aoJPG5Jb9h3htuE4RXoLRGcCr
I don't know how to have the Pixentral picture to this message.

[kimi_boo]

David... neat idea. I never thought of using the same image. :p :)

To get the thumbnail to show you just copy the URL address under the image that says forum. Then paste it into your post.

[Bayla]

Jean,

So glad you finally figured it out. Your elephant picture is perfect:)

Bayla

[twoaussies]

Thanks Bayla - I am sure I can do better with more practice. I can see lots of use for this idea. Couldnt have done it without you. Jean

[Candace]

Hey guys n gals :-)

So, I've watched this podcast several times. I've looked at your examples, very cool, BTW. I totally get the text part of this, but what I don't get and don't see referrenced is the joining of multiple images. I am feeling like a complete dork here.

I have an old method of combining images, learned by trial and error, and I am sure much more complex and time consuming than the "correct" way...

Can someone please point me to the thread or link that talks more about combining images? Currently I am moving images on top of other images to get them all into one "picture", then playing with opacity, erasing, or using layer masks to get the look I want. But it sounds like there is a better way to join images...feeling lost, can any one assist me? :confused:

TIA,
Candace

[Candace]

Ok, after playing around a bit...I found this link: http://graphicreporter.com/tutorials/elements_greetingcard.html

And it seems as though I am already doing it (merging images into one image to be played with) the way that this tutorial explains.

Sorry to be dense, but I just didn't see where this cliping video discussed getting more than one image into the same file to be processed as one image.

Thank you :-)

Candace

[kimi_boo]

Hi Candace

Read thru this thread carefully. I wasn't involved but I know there was a discussion in here about doing multiple images. Hopefully it will help. :)

[Pryce56]

I wonder if someone can lead me to this Killer Tip. The archives under Killer Tips has the same list of Podcasts as the recent podcasts.........?? I would love to see this one as the results of the challenge are great!

[Blue Skies]

Bonnie,
there have been several requests to make all of the podcasts available.
Please read Rick Lepage's replies:
http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39111

http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?p=396348
If these links aren't correct, someone else will provide info.
BJ - Texas

PSE5, CS3, "no brainer" point & shoot