Be Creative #79

[TonyW]

BE CREATIVE #79 - Adjustment Layers & Blend Modes

Been busy on other things recently so haven't been around the forum much and apologies for not attempting the last couple of challenges. However not too busy to come up with one for this week.

Adjustment layers are wonderful things. Most times they get used in Normal Blend Mode but this week we'll try something different and change the Blend Mode.

Pick a picture. Add a Levels Adjustment Layer and change the Blend Mode of the adjustment layer to Exclusion. You've now created a Sabattier or Solarization effect. Click on the levels adjustment layer and tweak the sliders and watch the effect change (you can try doing it on individual color channels too). Vary the opacity of the adjustment layer to moderate the effect.

Add another Levels Adjustment Layer and change the Blend Mode to Screen or Soft Light (or similar). That adds contrast to the effect. Again tweak the sliders and opacity.

Try some other Blend Modes. Anything goes - just don't use "Normal" :)

If you want the effect on only parts of the image just paint with black on the adjustment layer mask.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The small print for the challenge is ……
Everyone is invited to participate.
Please join in, share your images, ideas, imagination and inspiration. There are no rules - feel free to experiment and, if you can remember tell us what you did so others can benefit from your experiments.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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?t=47141)
Have fun!

Tony

[TonyW]

Here's an example of a before and after. I used Exclusion on the first Levels Adjustment Layer and Screen on the second.

The Before:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1dhIl5BHDs9tRSZ7dtw9bCjQkf9sr0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1dhIl5BHDs9tRSZ7dtw9bCjQkf9sr0)

The After:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/11z0evGQGRu7Nr7y7QLceLA7bHk3c1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=11z0evGQGRu7Nr7y7QLceLA7bHk3c1)

Have fun playing

Tony

[Chesney]

Cool effect, tony - love those flowers , can hardly wait to PLAY!!! :)

[jo]

OK -- here's one with 2 levels layers and 2 different blend modes -- and a mask to eliminate some of the effect. Exclusion gave the main flower a velvety color and texture.
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1qIVksAooNc7E9DRpDB00aybrPugft0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1qIVksAooNc7E9DRpDB00aybrPugft0)
And here's the original
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/17iS8KB0EJaLJTum41rz0zWwtkz1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=17iS8KB0EJaLJTum41rz0zWwtkz1)
and here's one playing with Topaz Simplify (I bought the whole package) and a mask to bring back the main flower.
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1XlUf8Td3gs9EyeosqwN3OxWjBSnIM_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1XlUf8Td3gs9EyeosqwN3OxWjBSnIM)

[BJ!]

Tony, thanks for the interesting & fun technique
Jo, your flowers are beautiful. Topaz must be fun to have!
---------------
This particular technique looks as if it would be great for creating backgrounds. I'm not sure how I feel about my results on the little shack (Dallas Arboretum exhibit). However, the effect on the interior was really interesting --- looks like as if there is a red light turned on!
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1dVC709y3RL8bz4TRwtVXgI9c5hox0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1dVC709y3RL8bz4TRwtVXgI9c5hox0)

[pacfam]

Here's my version. I still have trouble with layer masks, but blending modes?. . . I love them! My layers are: 2 orig. photos in Screen, 2 orig. photos in Linear Light w/contrast mask, 1 Vivid Light, 1 Exclusion and 1 Color Burn. I shift them around and change opacities until I get something I like. Not very scientific, but. . . there you go! :D

[Sepiana]

Tony, thanks for another BC! This one is going to be lot of fun.

I used Difference on the 1st Levels Adjustment layer, then did a layer inversion, and used Exclusion on the second.

[Bamagirl]

Here's my homework. I followed Tony's instructions exactly.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1tE7ENfladUW4TlO9VSMR93wJQCh_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1tE7ENfladUW4TlO9VSMR93wJQCh)

[Martha]

What a fun tutorial!
This is what I did to the lovely Rhododendrons:
Levels layer set to Exclusion
Hue and Saturation layer-increased hue and saturation, changed to Color Dodge
Frame-Pattern Fill layer with check pattern made with gradient (colors from image) and wave filter, gradient over that set to Hue
Outside stroke with Outer Glow
Martha
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1GgZF05R1a64k4LCsn6gp4Dd8j_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1GgZF05R1a64k4LCsn6gp4Dd8j)

[victry1]

Great fun Tony, thanks!

First layer - Color blend mode
2nd layer - overlay, 80% opacity
Invert - overlay, 100% opacity

Thanks to EV I am finally getting more comfortable with layer masks. :D



http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1OUSTimzLZjbEN1mUyIPXW37Opk8a_thumb.png (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1OUSTimzLZjbEN1mUyIPXW37Opk8a)

[victry1]

Did another one.....couldn't tell you what I did though - way too many layers..;)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1143pjzd5oRgnmPHfj5I3ovujelijI0_thumb.png (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1143pjzd5oRgnmPHfj5I3ovujelijI0)

The original:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1kG0mJq7YYQwEE0LvVVd8PUN0bcA0_thumb.png (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1kG0mJq7YYQwEE0LvVVd8PUN0bcA0)

[billz]

Tony -

This is limitless. Every new adjustment layer gives it a completely different look. Great challenge this week!

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1gTHWAVZ4hHxzvWsZhjpUwIGLhZS1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1gTHWAVZ4hHxzvWsZhjpUwIGLhZS1)

Bill

[Sepiana]

Tony, I love this challenge! All the possibilities. I can't resist. Here's another one:

1st Level layer - Hard Mix, 50% Opacity
2nd Level layer - Exclusion, 100% Opacity
3rd Level layer - Screen, 75% Opacity
Warming filter

[dspec01]

Another interesting tutorial. I love them and appreciate all the work put into them by those people who find them for us. I followed the directions and then added another layer and changed the blend to Luminosity.

Before:
[/URL][URL="http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1Ns8HbuSatg2ZcjjjKihfoywxcyUyy"]http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1Ns8HbuSatg2ZcjjjKihfoywxcyUyy_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1QDP2Bg4WflZsVuD7A7JWUOxXVkJn)
After:
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1JTVQKdOHH6uIKkaunsaOHmtfEEC2_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1JTVQKdOHH6uIKkaunsaOHmtfEEC2)

[vawitt]

That was fun, thanks! The 365 blog and school have kept me away from challenges for awhile. I've missed them!

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1buhVnebjtzMYOd0FiIu4vZ8LE2xcT1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1buhVnebjtzMYOd0FiIu4vZ8LE2xcT1)

First used my new fave toy, Topaz Simplify and made a "cartoon" image of this tulip. Then I followed Tony's directions; first Levels AL set to Exclusion; second to Screen.

[boblemon]

Followed Tony's instructions. Nice results from everyone!

Before
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1BvoPNCCP751jRL528tio2OcFqbAl_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1BvoPNCCP751jRL528tio2OcFqbAl)

After
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/10JL4nDLZNqUFqpKz0J8O8ZAX1heWX0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=10JL4nDLZNqUFqpKz0J8O8ZAX1heWX0)

[Aussie Nan]

I wasn't having much success with slight adjustments, so I decided to make a dramatic change. Thanks Tony, I have never used exclusion before.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1gWGyqnIlQLQ6NfTfWCDQ6hMnZ2Sw_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1gWGyqnIlQLQ6NfTfWCDQ6hMnZ2Sw)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1GkDNTaqMJbfxeUR0T47XzPV0tMua_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1GkDNTaqMJbfxeUR0T47XzPV0tMua)

[mljrbg]

Thanks Tony for the interesting and fun tut.

I used Vivid Light, Exclusion and the Screen on 2 seperate adjustment layers.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1Bzo2PLwaQ7UNDXFt2zMre2nnfMac1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1Bzo2PLwaQ7UNDXFt2zMre2nnfMac1)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1WXJqdW7Jndlh5PVUMGh0Hj855iF_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1WXJqdW7Jndlh5PVUMGh0Hj855iF)

[Ramie]

Here's my first attempt at a Be Creative Challenge. I adjusted and blended my dog. I have to confess, though, I didn't take the original picture, my mom did. It was just the first one I found in my files that I thought might be fun to work with. I really like how it makes her spots stand out. I'll try one with my other dog next, using a picture I took. :D

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1UC64gYjeVVEW5MrYZloZuZAjEhB01_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1UC64gYjeVVEW5MrYZloZuZAjEhB01)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1cZqlF3PsrbvUJrpwXyIJtlbwlsWp_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1cZqlF3PsrbvUJrpwXyIJtlbwlsWp)

I did Exclusion at 90%, Screen at 80%, Soft Light at 70%, and Difference at 80%. Then I made myself stop. Hee, hee.

[Ramie]

And here's my other dog...

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1GF70iobcc3JomHaEbzaeQ8GrNvUBR_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1GF70iobcc3JomHaEbzaeQ8GrNvUBR)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1rB9s3u82FGgO6GrWlU3x9o64ZD6u_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1rB9s3u82FGgO6GrWlU3x9o64ZD6u)

[TonyW]

Nice job from everyone. I shouldn't have said tweak the sliders. You can get some interesting effects by really moving them a lot like Toni says. Here's one I did using a few variations on the theme - don't ask me what I did cos I can't remember all the gory details but I did really move all the sliders a lot :D.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1isWN1zNRLVFh7T4RRg39IDK6OUUmU_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1isWN1zNRLVFh7T4RRg39IDK6OUUmU)

And the before:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1hJYmmtzFi5SSTTT1rNURfNCZ1kfa0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1hJYmmtzFi5SSTTT1rNURfNCZ1kfa0)

Tony

[Aussie Nan]

I tried a completely different image to my last one. Also did a limestone texture overlay once I finished tweaking.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/14HtTxqJlRTHuv0Ga9iblEhtD5Sjr_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=14HtTxqJlRTHuv0Ga9iblEhtD5Sjr)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/10MchMkVlyefPxucUddOmwJ38xEoKA1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=10MchMkVlyefPxucUddOmwJ38xEoKA1)

[bekster]

I gave this a try - fun challenge. I just did the original challenge steps with lots of slider tweaking.....
Final:
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1T4IF7RcTjyNZW66QeNKfVsN07bV_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1T4IF7RcTjyNZW66QeNKfVsN07bV)
Before:
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1kQrCHeXCaos18kP37vXDbDTKBors_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1kQrCHeXCaos18kP37vXDbDTKBors)

[margie46]

As I am new to all this, I didn't vary too much from Tony's suggestions. I did change the opacity slightly. As I learn more about the program I will be able to venture further.4290
Not sure how to upload 2 photos, might need to do another repy to thread.

[boblemon]

Again, I just followed Tony,s plan with lots of tweaking and some masking.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1N2OayJ5jRqSTTFr8eew8na7WizJlt_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1N2OayJ5jRqSTTFr8eew8na7WizJlt)
before

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1Ka5KokobsFz4fEGwcHvmb9uRaUha1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1Ka5KokobsFz4fEGwcHvmb9uRaUha1)
after

[boblemon]

One more, I did the other day. As always, just about followed Tony's instructions.

Final:
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1K55dy3rbkSEJscFazqo827ZJ0foZ_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1K55dy3rbkSEJscFazqo827ZJ0foZ)

Before:
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1pDa6Wf4TnQiAvTLxJI6LIXGnjwW30_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1pDa6Wf4TnQiAvTLxJI6LIXGnjwW30)

[emkayess65]

Thanks Tony for the tutorial.
New Years resolution(:rolleyes:Huh??) to try stuff I am not comfortable with.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1McOPtBBedOqx4h4aNThdJrcJBOdG0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1McOPtBBedOqx4h4aNThdJrcJBOdG0)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1ivpnO5GspQBhLfM1Dsh94p16al4Ar1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1ivpnO5GspQBhLfM1Dsh94p16al4Ar1)


Great images everybody!
mks