How DO you do it???

[SharLamb]

Here is a message I just left for Dale Stillman, but it is meant for everyone who posts photos: "I sure wish all you gifted people would give at LEAST a brief description on how you do this kind of thing. A full blown tutorial would be best, but I know that's asking for a lot." My main Stomping Ground is the Scrapper's Guide site, because mostly what I do with photos is make scrapbook pages. There (& I've noticed on every other scrapping site), posts have to be accompanied by every iota of information possible (what elements, papers, techniques [and by whom] were used). Here, there is often NO information about the photo or what technique was used. Is there not a compromise? I am so blown away by the gorgeous things I see here, then frustrated that there's no hint as to how they were done. Maybe after I've been using PSE longer I will be able to sniff out the techniques, but for now a few hints would be awesome. Thanks, Shar

[GaryK]

Hi Shar

Typically around here, if you see something you like.. just ask the poster.
They will usually be more than happy to post their steps, or at the very least send you to the tut that they used.

Sometimes a thread is sort of an evolving set of images based on a technique either linked to in a thread or posted directly there.

Other times the steps are lost or so many do overs happened that the poster has no idea of the exact steps involved. For me.... this is most times. :D

[SharLamb]

Okay. Thanks Gary. I like your idea of the gaussian blur to keep you young. I'm way past needing to apply it. Have you figured out a way to bottle it and sell it on QVC? ;) Shar

[billz]

Hi Shar -

I'll echo Gary. I've often asked a poster for a (rough) idea of how they achieved an effect, and on the unlikely chance that anyone is ever interested in one of my shots I hope they'll ask. I'll be happy to drag them down to my level in no time. :D Private messages work great for that type of thing.

Bill

[Ellen]

Another echo of Gary's post, I've always thought that was what the gallery threads were for. I assume that the details at scrap sites are because of using other people's items rather than ideas. Anyway-just ask and see what happens:)

[TonyW]

Hi Shar -

I'll echo Gary. I've often asked a poster for a (rough) idea of how they achieved an effect, and on the unlikely chance that anyone is ever interested in one of my shots I hope they'll ask. I'll be happy to drag them down to my level in no time. :D Private messages work great for that type of thing.

Bill

Bill: Are you sure you could remember - I know I often can't :D I've seen those creative challenge posts where you can describe what you did up to a point but then after playing around and some undoing and redoing, if you're like me, you soon get forget how you got to where you did. Maybe some people have better memories than I do or even take notes, name layers with meaningful names or take snapshots of the history palette but that isn't me :D

Tony

[msbrad]

I try to take notes in what I am doing because of the scrapbooker in me. I would feel so bad if I omitted the name of the designer or the tut.
used.

There is soo much going on here at this site, I make a list of what I want to try, and hardle ever get it done.

Bill- you are doing great, and if anyone ever wants info on what I've done, happy to share...(lets hope I remember and can locate it).
m

[frank abramonte]

Shar, kind of time consuming to explain how every post is done. There is usually more than one way of making a correction. The best way for you to learn is to save the various tuts your interested in, buy a book or two that cover your interests, or just by the way of a post.
There are many free tuts on the internet, search and follow the instructions.
Be assured that things will get easier the more you practice.
I copy the various "how to" instructions into a photoshop tips folder. I actually make up my own document explaining the steps involved including snapshots of the various menus, this way they are always ready to view.
See example below.
On the left is a step by step "how to instruction" of English Tea can. on the right a listing of all the tuts I've saved.




http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1tHnMSIe03A5tGG8x1ie4hBjMO1W9a1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1tHnMSIe03A5tGG8x1ie4hBjMO1W9a1)

[billz]

Bill: Are you sure you could remember ...
Tony

Tony -

Remember what?

Bill

[Inspeqtor]

Bill: Are you sure you could remember


Tony -

Remember what?

Bill

Cute Bill!! :D ;) :D

[Byron Gale]

...name layers with meaningful names...that isn't me :D...I'm a member of that club! :p

[GaryK]

Tony

Are you saying "background copy 2" and "layer 3 copy 2" are not meaningful names??:D:D

[ljameso1]

Tony

Are you saying "background copy 2" and "layer 3 copy 2" are not meaningful names??:D:D

That would be a yes:rolleyes:
Another trick I've been doing lately because the layers don't have enough room, is I'll put the name of the filter/action as the layer name and in the description part of file info write down the settings. It's really cut down on lost notes.:D