Elements or the full version of PS?
I thought I would post a few samples of the type of brushes that you will learn to make in class, as well as answer some of the questions that I've been receiving about which program to get, or which would work best.
The programs that I have used while creating this class are Photoshop Elements 8, and Photoshop CS3. I have used most of the earlier versions of full Photoshop, but can't remember much about them. Fortunately, other than new additions, they pretty much remain the same, and there are fabulous online sites for help.
Although Photoshop is way more advanced than Elements in many areas, we won't be using much more than can be found in the later versions of Elements, and for most things, Elements will be all that you need. The main problem I have found, is that it is lacking some of my favorite tools, and the ability to mask which is crucial and one of the things that I use most. Good news though.... there are add-ons and and tools for enhancing Elements that you can download and install for free.
LOL those do look like dinner rolls don't they ... as a matter of fact, yes they are ...
this brush was made from a photo that I took while making our Thanksgiving rolls a couple years ago.
I also wanted to tell everyone that it isn't that these programs are hard, it's just that there is so much to them, that it would take a lifetime to learn it all (well, for me anyway). Most of us either don't have the time, or we aren't interested in every aspect of what the program can do. So, it's a matter of what you want to do with the program, and how much you want to practice to get where you want to be. And of course there is the price difference between the two as well.
When I started teaching myself Photoshop about 11 years ago, I didn't have the internet (can you imagine life without it now?), or access to Photoshop books, or anyone to show me how to use it, so I just gritted my teeth, and dove in. And, I had just purchased my first computer.
I had never used a computer before that time, and I'm sure I would have turned tail and ran if I had known the magnitude of what I had just tackled. It was incredibly difficult, but I made up my mind that I would conquer it, and it was so worth the effort.
That said... I'm so happy for everyone who doesn't have to learn these complex programs without any help other than the manual. All it takes now, is a desire to learn and time to practice.
~~~UPDATE~~~~
Several people have asked if they could take the class and use Corel Paint Shop Pro. I can't try it out because it's a Windows program, but I did some looking around, and found some great info on it. Although I won't be able to help you navigate and find which tools to substitute, it appears to have similar features to Photoshop and Elements, including masking and making brushes, so if you can get help, or already know how to navigate and find tools, you should be able to apply what I do with the Adobe products, and take the class. Like I told Mar, you may come up with slightly different results, but they are sure to be fabulous.
Here is a link for making brushes in Corel PSP:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/207663/creating_custom_brushes_in_paint_shop.html?cat=59 I hope this helps answer program questions and concerns!
Feel free to email if you have more questions.
In class, we will be using fabric, paper, paint, photos, scans ... anything you have or find, to create brushes and layers. I'm working on a complete outline, and class info that I will be posting after Thanksgiving.
Thank you everyone...
I'm thrilled and appreciate that so many are interested and have emailed to be included on my announcement list!
getting closer
I'm still working full time on the Photoshop class... but I'm getting closer. I will have a detailed outline ready to post, and send out soon. I was hoping to have it ready before Thanksgiving, but since I had never used Elements, it has taken a lot more time than I thought it would to figure out how to show both programs.
I'm finding Elements to be a great little program that works similar to Photoshop (it really helped that the keyboard shortcuts are almost exact in both programs), but there are a few things missing that I regularly use, so I'm figuring out how to get around all of that.
The image above is one that I created today using both programs at the same time. I jumped back and forth from one to the other, and duplicated every step to make sure I could accomplish everything in Elements. Whew... this was not a fast project, and I really had to concentrate to keep everything straight. Creating and problem solving at the same time was quite a challenge for me, but I conquered it, and I'm thrilled that Elements is working out so well.
Here are some of the images that I used in my digital collage. First is a photo that I took of my beautiful niece on her wedding day, then a photo of our pear tree, and yes... that really is a photo of our bathroom scales. Can you see it in the finished image? It's what I used to create the background behind Kristen. Pretty much anything is fair game :-)
Abundance
"Not what we have but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance."- John Petit-Senn
The word for week three of Christy and Susan's photo prompt fun is "abundance". Deryn and I are working together on this fun project, and I'm really enjoying the interaction, and love of photos that we both share. Deryn sent me the pine cones, and as it came in, I was working on the rose image and noticed how well they went together. The prompt is abundance, and at first, one nearly dead rose (albeit beautiful) didn't seem to fit, but when I think of abundance, I think of an overflowing fullness of the heart, not just oversufficient quantity. I searched for a poem or quote that expressed it better than I could, and found the perfect quote by John Petit-Senn (above). It's definitely what we enjoy that constitutes our abundance.Check out
Deryn's blog to see our second response.
(my sweet niece on her wedding day)Also, an update on my upcoming online photoshop class... I've been working long hours every day, and am making progress! Both the images that I used in the photo prompt are samples of some of the things that will be in class.
My goal is to create a class that will focus on paper arts and fibers, as well as photography. We will begin by taking photos of textures to make photoshop brushes with, then snapping more texture and macro shots to create backgrounds, and then putting it all together in several projects progressing from easy to more complex. I'll show you all the tools that I love to use including layer modes, layer styles, creating brushes and patterns, masking, levels, curves, gradients, color balance, burning and dodging, cloning, healing brushes, color range selector, and a few more that I can't think of right now.
I use Photoshop CS3, and I'm on a Mac, but I'm going to do my best to give substitutions for using Elements and older Photoshop versions when I use tools only available in CS3 or newer.
I'll send out a newsletter when I have more detail on signing up, starting date, class links etc. If you haven't asked to be on the list for online class updates, or if you aren't sure, email me and I'll add you. Thanks!
email link
PS tutorial
I'm working on the Photoshop tutorial! There will be tons of screen shots with step by step project instructions. I will also be adding my thoughts on process as I progress, so you will have a better understanding of how to translate what you learn from the tutorial into your future projects.
as shot:
combined with several other photos:
on-line classes
Thank you everyone, for your kind words and interest in learning photoshop. I wanted to answer all the questions that I'm getting, and say YES.... I would love to do it. I just need some time to figure it all out. Since I work on a Mac, and use CS3, I need to do some research on including PC based users as well as Elements. I may create the PS class as a pdf tutorial that can be downloaded, and would include screens shots and step by step project instructions. Also included would be photos used in the project so you can follow along exactly without the need to find the right images first.
It will be a post processing photoshop class showing how to create exciting compositions from ordinary snap shots, and will be a stand alone class, but will also work with the online book class that I'm planning.
What do you think? Sound like something you might be interested in?
I've taken a couple weeks off (other than hours and hours of photoshop and photo shoots :-) and am gearing up to get back into books and working on these classes soon.
Here's a crop of the image above.
Below are two of the photos that I merged to achieve my composition.
distant whispers
as shot:
and after photoshop magic:
An Artful Journey registration opening soon!
Friday, November 6th, registration opens for July, 2010
An Artful Journey retreat. Offered at this retreat are several 3-day workshops with instructors, Stephanie Lee, Katie Kendrik, Judy Wise, Richard Salley, and myself. How could it not be great with that line-up! :-)
altered photo class sample for my workshop in July.. and especially look at the photos of the venue. It's gorgeous up there, with the most peaceful and serene surroundings. Cindy has many fabulous things planned to make each Artful Journey perfect for all the attendees.
just one glimpse of you steals my heart awayI had such a wonderful time snapping photos yesterday.
I made a huge mess as I drug out all sorts of pretty props, fruit, old books etc., and draped an old quilt near one of the windows for a backdrop in my make-shift still life photography studio (lol or maybe that's make-believe, not make-shift).
Pretty amateur, but it was so fun, and I really don't care that much about doing everything 'right' as long as I'm enjoying the process. Of course sometimes I battle the end result not looking amateurish... and cheapie lenses, which all of mine are, make the "don't-worry-so-much-about-doing-it-right-just-have-fun" balance a bit more difficult to achieve. Still, it's good to thankfully do the best you can with what you have.
Here is an example of one of the shots that I took in my make-believe photo studio in preparation for post processing in photoshop:
And here it is finished.
matchless beauty. endless lightHere's another before and after:
sing to me beauty... let your voice lead the way
there are always flowers
More post processing in photoshop. This rose was actually almost dead when I photographed it, but I thought it was still pretty.
Here are two 'before' photos that I combined to come up with the finished versions below. It was a dark, winter day when I shot them, and they were taken from a moving car, so they aren't anything special... but with the magic of photoshop, you never have to toss bad photos.
I read the following great quote the other day, but can't remember who was being quoted.
"With photoshop and a dream, you can go anywhere."
I love that.
I couldn't decide if I liked it more green or more pink, so I kept both.
I am the color yellow,
bright and vibrant wherever I go.
Imagination fills my brain
and happiness covers my face.
I smell sunshine and confidence
that encourages my strengths.
I am the color yellow.
by Courtney, 9th grade
I'm needing some time off to rest a bit. Every so often, the deadlines, long work hours, and long flights weigh on me, and I've learned not to try and push through it, but to stop and take a break. So, I've been out with my camera almost every day for the past several days, rain or shine, and enjoying post processing in photoshop, along with naps, lots of puppy loves, and play time.
If I were the rain
I would look shiny and silvery
Drop to the ground.
I would drop down shining,
Like a rainbow,
Playing on an umbrella
Tapping on the windowpane.
I make beautiful music.
by Meagan 8 years old
Here's an experiment using one of my unfinished paintings and finishing it in photoshop.
The winds will blow their own freshness into you,
and the storms their energy,
while cares will drop away from you
like the leaves of Autumn.
-John Muir
"The key then is to find your own mountain,
other wise you will be competing
with people who are not even in your event,
and running up against
the 'shoulds' and 'oughts' of that world,
and the inevitable frustration and depression
and feelings of failure.
A person can be complete or incomplete,
but one thing is sure;
he cannot be someone else."
George Sheehan M.D
decorate
This is week two of Echo --
Susan and
Christy's collaboration where they give bi-weekly word prompts to anyone who would like to play along, and we interpret the prompt through the lenses of our cameras. This week's prompt is 'decorate'. It was so much more fun now that I have
Deryn to partner with.
Deryn and I exchanged a prompt inspired photo, then we chose a second one to create a diptych inspired by the photo that the other sent. Deryn sent the photo of the wonderfully carved wood above, and I matched it up with the close-up of a rain adorned dandelion that I took this morning. I enjoyed the contrast between the strong, solid wood, and the delicate, fragile dandelion.
It seemed to be the only remaining dandelion on our property, and when I saw it covered with rain drops, I was so excited that I raced in to get my tripod and umbrella, and snapped away. Despite the cold and rain, the lighting was perfect, and I was able to really get good focus using the tripod. I need to use the tripod more often because the results are spectacular. It's so heavy, and cumbersome that I normally just leave it behind.
And of course I had lots of help taking photos!
Below are a couple of the leaf shots that I was trying to get before my cute helper laid on them and knocked the water drops off :-)
I sent Deryn a decorated rose leaf that she will pair with one of her photos and post it soon on
her blog.
class sample
Class sample (in progress) for my
July 2010 class at An Artful Journey. We will work on projects using photos, and lots of surface and background techniques, and then create a project such as a book or wall hangings.
emerge
I just heard about
Susan and
Chrysti's new challenge using bi-weekly word prompts as we look through the lenses of our cameras. The idea is to have a partner and collaborate, but since I just learned of this tonight, and I couldn't wait to play along, I'm going solo for now. The first prompt is 'emerge'.
waiting to emerge
the emerging
what is heard first is silence
more angels
It seems that when I come home from a trip (or two this time) it takes me a while to feel productive and able to creatively dive into upcoming deadlines. So, I play in photoshop. It's relaxing, and I still feel like I'm accomplishing something, if not the deadlines.
I couldn't decide which of the following I liked best, so I'll show you both of them.
good to be home
Along with seeing the quilt show, and helping
Leslie out a bit in her booth, I had the most wonderful time taking over 900 photos while in Houston!
Cindy and I got inspired looking out the window at all the lights, fire engines and police cars one night, and had so much fun taking slow shutter speed photos through the 6th floor window.
And in the elevator.
It was so much fun we went outside and took photos of the gorgeous skyline till after midnight. Even though we didn't have tripods and the photos are quite noisy (red, blue, and green grainy stuff) it was too much fun to pass up. Today I played in Photoshop with a few of them, and was quite pleased with the success of the Reduce Noise filter.
The fountain in front of the hotel.
It was such a goreous night!
Cindy had to go home a bit early, so sweet
Deryn came to the rescue and I had the privilege of meeting her wonderful family (and cute little Maggie too!) and staying at her beautiful home for a few days.
And guess where we went TWO days in a row???
A dream come true.
I've wanted to take photos at an old, statuary filled cemetery forever it seems, and Deryn made that dream come true. We went to a fabulous cemetery FILLED with gorgeous statuary, interesting history, and beautiful surroundings.
Quite a contrast between the busy city and huge skyscrapers in the background,
and the tranquility and quiet of the cemetery.
I'm so glad we had two days to see it all. I'm loving all the photos and hope to get some new collage sheets made soon for my
etsy shop.
As Deryn drove me to the airport, I snapped some photos through the car window, as well as while holding the camera out the window. I was thrilled that they weren't blurry!
I had a wonderful time,
but it was so good to see the Medford skyline
after the 16 hours that it took to fly
home from Houston.
There's nothing like coming home.
Leaving again
My plane leaves at 5 AM tomorrow for the Quilt Festival in Houston. I'll be back around the 20th.
I'm working on details for An Artful Journey workshop that I will be teaching in July. We will be doing some printing, so I was playing with mono prints. Then I couldn't help myself, I had to take it in Photoshop and play a bit.
I'll be home on the 20th... have a wonderful week everyone!
Australian Magpie
This Magpie is from a photo that I took while teaching in Australia earlier this year. I fell in love with this bird. Actually, I fell in love with all the birds that I saw.
I painted the Magpie, then scanned it and altered it in Photoshop using previously painted and scanned backgrounds.
altered photo
This is a fabric print that I painted on, and is one of the techniques that I'll be teaching in July 2010 at An Artful Journey. Registration opens on November 6
th. Check it out
here if you are interested in 3 days with one instructor at a fabulous venue in CA.
The girl on the right is my great-grandmother, Zelma. Her daughter, my grandmother, was named
Velna. Don't you love those old names? OK maybe not Millicent, or Hortense, but I love most old fashioned names.
It didn't end up looking exactly like her, but close. She was such a sweet person. I'm not sure who the girl on the left is, but they look like best friends. I would love to know their stories...
more photoshop
I played in Photoshop a bit tonight using my photos, and fiddling around with the blue channel (adjustment layer > channel mixer). I also used layer modes to add some of my texture photos (most of these are soft light mode). Then I used the
wacom tablet to write on them.
Beautiful Fall days
No spring, nor summer beauty hath such graceAs I have seen in one autumnal face;John Donne
Yesterday afternoon was so gorgeous that I just had to spend it outside. I've had so many deadlines lately that I really needed it. Being outside with My Girl, especially if I also have my camera with me, has such a calming and revitalizing effect on me. The birds were enjoying a bath after their dinner, so it was the perfect time to pull up a chair and enjoy their antics as I snapped photos.
The photo below shows the original (and not-so-good), shot of the bird at the top of this post before I altered it in Photoshop. I almost tossed it, but then thought I would play with it first and see what I could do with it. I used different erasers, the burn tool, sharpening, blending modes, and added some red. Oh, and removed the water drop on her beak. I was pretty happy with it, and glad I didn't toss the 'bad' photo.
There is music in the meadows, in the air–Autumn is here;Skies are gray, but hearts are mellow,William Stanley Braithwaite
I've been working so much that I haven't had time to play with My Girl as much as I would like. She isn't lacking though.... "papa" spends hours with her outside every day. Every second is joy-filled for her. She makes everything a game or a job. Even taking the trash out to the road on trash day is a job in her eyes. She 'herds' the trash can as it's wheeled out. She's such a Border Collie.
I'm continually amazed at the Border Collie breed. It is said that their 'herding eye' can hypnotize and mesmerize with its intense stare. I believe it. I do love that intense Border Collie stare.
I love all dogs, but there's nothing quite like a Border Collie. They are challenging at times (you have to stay one step ahead of them), but mostly, they are sensitive, incredibly intelligent, very trainable, thrive on praise, and to be truly happy, they need a lot of ongoing attention (my favorite part), extensive daily exercise, and a job to do.
We allow her to play with the hose. She loves the game so much, and has never chewed a hole in it. She just drags it around without biting it.
home and leaving again soon
I'm home from Art and Soul... I had such a fabulous class, but didn't take one photo. I'm so mad at myself, but I just got so busy that by the time I thought of it, it was too late. I had 23 incredibly fun and talented students in my book class, and as usual, I was so inspired by all of them. I love seeing the colors they choose, and how they interpret the info that I share with them. We had a room filled with fabulous results!
I'm so glad that I decided last minute to get a vendor table. I would have hated missing out on all the fun. I loved seeing everyone and talked so much I got a sore throat and was exhausted. Good exhaustion though...
Now I'm getting ready to leave again on Wednesday. I'm excited to be going to Houston, TX to the International Quilt Festival. I've never been to a large show like that, and can't wait to spend 4 days soaking it all in.
I've been working on a small, 20 X 30 quilt to display in
Lesley Riley's booth, using her
TAP transfer paper. Just need to bind it.
I'm off to Portland to teach
I'm just about finished packing and ready to head to Art and Soul in Portland tomorrow morning. I love that it's only a 4 hour drive and I don't have to fly. It's a beautiful drive and the time goes by quickly. I think I'll give myself some extra time just in case I see a photo opp that I need to stop for though.
I decided last minute (a couple weeks ago) to get a vendor table for tomorrow night, so I didn't have time to create much, but I'm excited to be there.... just to be there. I really enjoy seeing and chatting with everyone on vendor night.
I did get a few collage pieces made. I really enjoyed creating these and hope to make some for Christmas gifts, as well as my
etsy shop. They have a textured and painted base, along with a bead and wire hanger on the back.
morning light
Had to go to town early this morning, and decided to take a back road home since the light was so beautiful. I was thinking I would look for some tree shots to go in the book I'm working on, and was thrilled when this beauty posed for me. Isn't he gorgeous in the morning light?
Here he is gracing a book page.
A couple more shots from this morning.
And a couple more book pages.
collage on book page
Collage sample for class in Portland next week using water soluble crayons. Isn't this image wonderful? It's from an old slide taken by my girlfriend's mother. I scanned it, inverted it, and then added a sepia tone in photoshop before using it in the collage.
another pear
finally a post
Wow, I think this is the longest I've ever gone without posting. I've been so busy getting ready for a couple of events that I haven't had the time. I'm feeling like I can breathe again though, and thought I better post so you know I'm still here. :-)
This is a book cover for a class sample:
and here are some pages that I'm working on:
finished 16 X 20 canvas painting
she spread her wings and flew into the light
Finished some painting detail, added words and some fabric. It's not really quite this brown, but even though I took it outside to photograph it, I can't get the colors quite right.
of this dreamland
Not sure how I'll finish this fabric painting....some stitching, and maybe make it into a wall hanging. It's smaller than the last one, about 9X10.
almost finished
She's ready for collage and final touches.
progress on painting
Olga asked where I get my inspiration, so I thought I would show you the inspiration for this painting. Since I don't have a lot of my own photos of people, most of the time I use photos of models. They never end up looking like the model, but I need something to look at for lighting and inspiration. When I was at my hair dresser the other day, I loved the poster on the wall, and she sweetly took it down and gave it to me. You can see it on the right, and obviously it's nothing like the painting, but really helps me to have it there to refer to.
4 spots available in Portland
Woo Whoo! I just heard back from Glenny and we are opening my book class to 4 more students... There has been so much interest in it, that she has found me a larger room and I can take 4 more students. So if you are interested in taking my
book class in Portland, October 4th and 5th at Art and Soul, go here and sign up! It's going to be a blast... The samples that I have shown lately all have techniques in them that we will be doing in class.
Hope to see you there!
LOL those do look like dinner rolls don't they ... as a matter of fact, yes they are ...
