Tips for Photoshop Processing

[ReefMatt]

I'm not sure that this will be useful to anyone here... but I'll post it anyway. I've made a quick (...not quick enough) video tutorial about one way to process reef tank photos, with more videos coming.

For those of you who are already pretty familiar with Photoshop, this will probably just bore you to tears, so feel free to ignore the video.

If you have a photo that you like, but think that it could use some Photoshopping and would like to see how I'd do it, send it to me in an email or PM me here, and I'll choose a few of them to make into video tutorials as well.

For now, the link to my current video on my blog:

Getting More From Your Reef Tank Photos : Photoshop Processing Video

And here's a second, much shorter, faster moving video (direct link): http://www.gorephoto.com/video/reefvid2.wmv

Hope that someone finds them useful.


- Matt

 

[tamarindthai]

thanks for CS info and keep on posting ,,i need all tthe help i can get

 

[Myteemouse]

I missed what you used to round the edges of that selection tool??

BTW I am using CS4 not CS3 so your cool little icons on the bottom of the right side box are not on mine
do you know what tools they are so I can try and get them up on my screan?

 

[ReefMatt]

I set the "Feather" settings for the Marquee tool to 250px (in the second vid). That's above the main image window, where the brush settings would be if you were using the paint brush tool. It actually does more than round them... it makes the edges of the selection fade from selected to unselected, instead of having a sharp edge.

- Matt

 

[Myteemouse]

thanks Man I didn't go big enough !

 

[ReefMatt]

NP

Did you mean that you're using CS3? (I'm using CS4). And did you figure out what the tools were that I was talking about... I'm not sure exactly which ones you were referring to... but I pretty much only created curves adjustment layers down there.

- Matt

 

[Myteemouse]

I have CS4 ??? you have all the tool icons on the right bottom ..in the gray boy
I need to figure out how to turn those on and have them down there,
I'm sure It's just making tools or something on the screen

 

[Brie]

I have CS4 ??? you have all the tool icons on the right bottom ..in the gray boy
I need to figure out how to turn those on and have them down there,
I'm sure It's just making tools or something on the screen

Those are the layer options... At in the beginning of the video anyway. At what time in the video is the "gray box" you're talking about? It looks like he's adding new adjustment layers for the various adjustments, which is the smarter way to do things... (although I never do it, i'm just lazy. lol).

 

[Crystalclear125]

I got it now I had to open a few more tools up.
Thanks I tried the layers and it's cool but I get the same outcome with out layers but
Layers is defiantly the way to go if you have time

 

[ReefMatt]

There are actually some major advantages to using adjustment layers rather than adjustment commands from the Image menu. You can:

1: Selectively apply the adjustment by using a layer mask
2. You can change the adjustment at any time (they're non-destructive)
3. You can change the blend mode of the adjustment layer (as seen in the White Balance video in another thread)

... among others.

So, it's worth getting in the habit of using them They are pretty much the sole reason that I won't switch to GIMP as long as GIMP doesn't have them, even though I really like the idea of open source software.

- Matt

 

[Brie]

Yeah... I know all of the advantages to it. As I said, i'm just lazy. I probably should get in the habit of doing it that way..

 

[ReefMatt]

Yeah, I figured that you knew the advantages, Brie, but just wanted to point them out to anyone else who happens upon the thread

- Matt

 

[tamarindthai]

JMO,,for rme ,it is the great info ,,,thank you for sharing

 

[Brie]

Yeah, I figured that you knew the advantages, Brie, but just wanted to point them out to anyone else who happens upon the thread

- Matt

oh ok... lol

 

[BCT182]

Good video fo-sho!

 

[mfinn]

So does everybody use Photoshop CS3 or CS4 ?

Is one easier to use than the other?
One better than the other?

 

[Brie]

So does everybody use Photoshop CS3 or CS4 ?

Is one easier to use than the other?
One better than the other?

I went from CS2 to CS4... It was a HEEUGE difference for me. The sharpen function is like 10 times better, as is the noise reduction. The "auto" functions also works alot better....

 

[mfinn]

I went from CS2 to CS4... It was a HEEUGE difference for me. The sharpen function is like 10 times better, as is the noise reduction. The "auto" functions also works alot better....

Is this the one you have?


http://cgi.ebay.com/Adobe-Photoshop...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1c11112cba

 

[dragoneggs]

thanks for CS info and keep on posting ,,i need all tthe help i can get

Yeah right Dang! You don't need any help!

 

[Brie]

Is this the one you have?


http://cgi.ebay.com/Adobe-Photoshop...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1c11112cba

Seems the auction for that isnt there anymore.. But here it is on Amazon...

http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-65015634-Photoshop-CS4/dp/B001EUBSL0