Be Creative Week #29

[lisabee]

Hi everyone,

Let’s BE CREATIVE.

Thanks to everyone who took part last week, we had some fantastic images.

The small print for the challenge is ……
Everyone reading the forum is invited to participate.
Please join in, share your images, ideas, imagination and inspiration.

Please post your images (as many as you like) below in this thread.

If you would like to comment or have a question, please post here (http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?p=382595#post382595).

Above all, have fun!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Be Creative Week #29

This week we’re looking at B&W toning thanks to a tut on the Layers Magazine site, before you get to the link, please note that this tut is written for CS3, so basically the techniques/tools it uses are not in PSE, so check out the notes below the link for some possible work arounds ……


http://www.layersmagazine.com/2629.html (http://www.layersmagazine.com/2629.html)

Notes:

In PSE5 or PSE6, try converting to B&W using the B&W conversion which can be found under the ENHANCE menu. Adjust this to suit your image and your taste.

Then duplicate the conversion layer (so that if you later change your mind about the curves, you don’t have to redo it all).

Then for the curves adjustment – use smart curves filter plug-in working on the R, G and B channels individually, (NB the curves in PS won’t work on a greyscale image).
If you don’t already have smart curves, you can get them here

http://free.pages.at/easyfilter/curves.html (http://free.pages.at/easyfilter/curves.html)

If you’re not using smart curves, then try a gradient map adjustment layer to create the tint and either create your own gradient (choosing your background and foreground colours) or use a preset gradient, and don’t forget to try different blend modes.

I'm sure You can also find other work arounds, as there are usually many ways to get to the same place :).



Please try it out, have fun, and as always I look forward to seeing your images.
:)

[lisabee]

This one I did in PSE5 using smart curves, and set that layer blend mode to colour.

http://www.elementsvillage.com/gallery/files/1/2/6/4/2/bc-29-in-pse_thumb.jpg (http://www.elementsvillage.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=4935&c=5)

Lisa

[TonyW]

Thanks Lisa: I was playing with another method of doing the second step to see if it would work and thought I'd post the result. I did use the B&W conversion (in PSE6) for step 1 but for step 2 I used Levels instead of Curves and adjusted the middle slider up or down a bit for each of the R, G and B channels. Seemed to give much the same result as when I tried again in curves and does let you go back into the Levels adjustment layer and tweak it a some more if you don't like the first result:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/16zwUaLhnXzeFaPdPiotVMkk9xTG4e0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=16zwUaLhnXzeFaPdPiotVMkk9xTG4e0)

Tony

PS I used Color for the Levels Adjustment Blend layer too - I liked it better than Normal.

[Aussie Nan]

I think I must be having a 'reddish' day.
Toni

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1CVvDTB7CGAo68VnOYEXL8hJaEiz_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1CVvDTB7CGAo68VnOYEXL8hJaEiz)

[billz]

Thanks Lisa for hosting another creative challenge. I too used a levels adjustment layer ... good idea Tony.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1mGyYR62tLpVpPeB0WkntoMkZcnhb_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1mGyYR62tLpVpPeB0WkntoMkZcnhb)

Bill

[vawitt]

I tried using both a Levels adj. layer (ala Tony) and a Hue/Sat adj layer vs. a curves plug-in. Both gave similar results...

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1j0xxFdFQzYovriFcglsXmd9TQ9Pp0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1j0xxFdFQzYovriFcglsXmd9TQ9Pp0)

~Val in cloudy IL

[Joe M]

Very good tutorial Lisa. I had never used this option to make a layer adjustment before. I love learning new stuff.

I carried the tutorial a bit further and duplicated the curves adjustment that had the yellowish tint. Went back to the original curves adjustment and changed the emphasis to blue. I then masked out the water on the top adjustment which allowed the blue water to show through.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1LnDhdMwQFbJNooWx09ePXKf8K2Jt0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1LnDhdMwQFbJNooWx09ePXKf8K2Jt0)

[Zeria]

Thanks Lisa----this is great. Instead of curves, I used Color Variations (Enhance>Adjust Color>Color Variations). A number of options are available. On my image (after converting) I adjusted the midtones by Increasing the red and Decreasing the blue.

B&W

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1IsDBAvw9gYg3bLaxnTSqV5s9aB70f_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1IsDBAvw9gYg3bLaxnTSqV5s9aB70f)

After toning

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1sG748EisAvVt7HoZiCiyUtIFNDM6_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1sG748EisAvVt7HoZiCiyUtIFNDM6)

[cfair]

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1QnCp2qvHWKw5mnvnqFb79WF8eDR4k_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1QnCp2qvHWKw5mnvnqFb79WF8eDR4k)

I just converted this to B & W and then put a gradient fill on it using transparent and radial and then reversing it. I liked the effect.

[Bamagirl]

This was difficult for me. It took me a long time to get the colors to where I thought that they were OK. Thanks Lisa for a mind-bender.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1kV2QYbc3TgCkwvyysHvJ6foYjSi6_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1kV2QYbc3TgCkwvyysHvJ6foYjSi6)

[Aussie Nan]

I brought out the green tonings of the image by adding the green stroke.
Toni

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1AV67aMeCjQ5xCsqe9xsh96B1UkoeS_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1AV67aMeCjQ5xCsqe9xsh96B1UkoeS)

[Seachelle]

Here is one with a double colour play. I will definitely try more later.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1z3OXiNNMY8h1GOyhku3aQl3KU3jI0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1z3OXiNNMY8h1GOyhku3aQl3KU3jI0)

[mljrbg]

Thanks Lisa for a "creative" challange. I tried to follow the tut without much luck. Having some idea of what the end result was supposed to be I started playing and after a very long time this is what I came up with. I kept the blue sky in because Joe left color in his so I figured it was OK!!

Mary Lou

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1IXFmtfJ2acw3M5csbNog4sazAuBRR_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1IXFmtfJ2acw3M5csbNog4sazAuBRR)

[Zeria]

Here's another --- I used color variations for the toning (more than one application) and then Brightness/Contrast to tweak. Brought back some of the original colors for the flowers. Finally, I used Toni's idea about the stroke color. Thanks Toni :)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1qyyN5RdnnPw193kUOb9fiUZ3sj6jo1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1qyyN5RdnnPw193kUOb9fiUZ3sj6jo1)

[Bamagirl]

I used an overlay to add sepia to this picture. Thanks, Lisa, I have so much to learn about Photoshop and I did not know that you can control the lightness and darkness of individual colors when making it B&W. It helped emphasize the texture in this picture.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1yTMwyLOQcjo3YlTYDVXWdLGgCtIJ0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1yTMwyLOQcjo3YlTYDVXWdLGgCtIJ0)

[mljrbg]

Take #2...same image.

Mary Lou

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1WkQqXI65EoRxcBDEVQdaTVjkjqZDj0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1WkQqXI65EoRxcBDEVQdaTVjkjqZDj0)

[cape]

Thanks for the challenge. I'm also in the game now. :)
It's really impressing, how much the b/w toning can change the expression of a picture.

B/W
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/16VOAHlyEM44845pTqx1neIcoCxZz2_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=16VOAHlyEM44845pTqx1neIcoCxZz2)

B/W Toning
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/156LbvCYQBdVWKLiYTaNd69VQpFOa_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=156LbvCYQBdVWKLiYTaNd69VQpFOa)

[kImages]

Wow. How fun, my first duotone. Lisa thanks for finding a new challenge for us every week.

BTW Nancy - if you are checking in your cloud brushes rock! The sky is man made as the photo was taken on a grey snowy day and original didn't make for a good B&W conversion.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/17nfIxnEVSdwnVYqOHyzazYi6tfW50_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=17nfIxnEVSdwnVYqOHyzazYi6tfW50)

[Fish]

Wow, there is some great work here. Thanks, Lisa for showing me the smart curves plug-in. I went for a dark sepia look, maybe a little too dark.

-Fish

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1ToyBmAV8uI2eTglnaao4byvu30KPG1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1ToyBmAV8uI2eTglnaao4byvu30KPG1)

[Bayla]

This was fun. Thanks Lisa

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1rQdirwH8x4UYyjMjQxVPm8OAtGNB0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1rQdirwH8x4UYyjMjQxVPm8OAtGNB0)


For the second one I added a layer mask and painted back in the berries.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1MXfrMKglrZ4ZpsEYyyvea5xJ4B0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1MXfrMKglrZ4ZpsEYyyvea5xJ4B0)

Can anyone recommend anything to read on using curves that explains exactly what is happening in not too technical terms?

Bayla

[Fish]

Here's another go at it. I spent more time tweaking the curves.

-Fish

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1QNa81TDPZseuNQj7Z05xPa5jIjl3_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1QNa81TDPZseuNQj7Z05xPa5jIjl3)

[rvrbndr]

Here is my try, B&W and then with the toning.
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1wnM9n5ElJDOwpe6cEPxvP49Dn6_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1wnM9n5ElJDOwpe6cEPxvP49Dn6) http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1rPldeR5ihbUGZmubDfrzJCBypGK41_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1rPldeR5ihbUGZmubDfrzJCBypGK41)
Had so much fun playing with the curves had to post another.
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1Za95pmao0S9x1tWQhmanbm6KcRHO_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1Za95pmao0S9x1tWQhmanbm6KcRHO)

[TonyW]

One more. I just discovered the PSE6 action on Graffi's blog that makes the CS3 black and white adjustment layer work in PSE6. An awesome addition and a must have if you have PSE6 - all sorts of adjustments and tinting possible and amazingly leaves it as an editable adjustment layer.

I used that with a hint of tint and then a gradient map adjustment layer set to color burn blend mode and an opacity of 20%. Then spotted a touch of color back on the B&W adjustment layer.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1cZRZ4wnaDDruWgyAgpeERlh5ppn5m_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1cZRZ4wnaDDruWgyAgpeERlh5ppn5m)

Tony

[Martha]

Here is the one that I did. Thanks for another really useful tutorial, Lisa. I'm going to try some more after seeing all of the great images posted here!
Martha
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1g50JnLxNL8oIDSQUO4v8E578jSJP50_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1g50JnLxNL8oIDSQUO4v8E578jSJP50)

[Chesney]

http://www.elementsvillage.com/gallery/files/1/8/7/4/9/halleck-park_thumb.jpg (http://www.elementsvillage.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=5049&c=5)
I thought this turned out kinda cool! After converting to a black & white, I played with the individual colors in the levels box, then I played w/ the brightness control and finally I used the vivid light blend mode. I like the yellow highlights.

[Martha]

For this one I used a gradient map adjustment layer and edited it a little.
Martha
http://www.elementsvillage.com/gallery/files/8/3/4/0/week-29_gradient-map-adjust_thumb.jpg (http://www.elementsvillage.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=5061&c=5)

[Ellen]

I think these all look great! I used cs2 and learned you can just fling the points off the curve you've made if you don't like them.
(edit) I used two dirrerent curves and masked one.
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/12DD6Kl2SG90E3tnyWiuLmEhzk2br_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=12DD6Kl2SG90E3tnyWiuLmEhzk2br)