Creating Montages

[Hughe]

I have been using E3 for editing only and have no problems. Now I want to create simple photo montages and now I am stumped at step five (page 290) in the "bible" as some of you call it!

Quote- Click the Gradient tool ? in the center of your top photo and drag inward toward the center of the document. Could someone expand on this statement? My 81 year old brain is not quite following! And I will Thank You!

[Jodi Frye]

Hello, if you look on the tools palette you will see the 'gradient tool' and after you click on it you will see some options just above the screen...you'll see a gradient color bar and you'll see some little boxes alongside with different gradient tool options. I don't have the 'bible' book...I'm not even sure which one you are speaking of...Down and Dirty doesn't even have that page # ;) Anyways, So you'll need to first select the right gradient color option....click on the gradient color bar above the screen and you'll see a window open with Gradients in it...select the one you need...if you can't find it then select the 'more' button and choose ' reset gradients'. I'm assuming you are looking for one color to transparent...whichever color you have in your foreground color chip at the bottom of the tools palette will be the one that will be listed with transparency. Then select the gradient tool choice...put your mouse over those little box options at the top of the screen...you are probably needing the 'linear gradient' which is the first on the left. Now all you need to do is click at a top corner of your image and then drag and stop at center...or wherever your tutorial tells you to stop. Please post back if this is clear as mud ;)

[Hughe]

OK Jodi thanks for the reply, I can see how the gradient tool works now. The tutorial I was refering to was in The Photoshop Elements 3 Book for digital photographers by Scott Kelby. Step five, page 290.

[bwolford]

Hughe, So you've got that center layer selected and you have the gradient tool active. Now, pick point evenly between the top and bottom of the image somewhere just in front of the brides ear, maybe even closer to her nose. Click the gradient tool here and drag it toward the center of the picture toward the bride or even further to the right.

What this does is make the image to left of where you clicked 100% solid and fades in the direction you drag allowing the picture bride to show through...

Does that help?

Brice

[Jodi Frye]

Hughe...ah OK, I don't have that book...glad you got it sorted. :)