Phil Parsons » Photoshop tips

How to use calculations in Photoshop to help mask from channels

Phil — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:56:11 +0000

When using channels to mask an object from a fairly simple background but one that is too complex for the wand or color range tools there is a technique that can be used to cut down the amount of time you spend brushing into the areas you want to mask and the calculations command is the key to this, here’s how it works. Tutorial images Lollipop Step one First thing we need to do is open up the lollipop image …

Retouching the eyes – part 4

Phil — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 13:12:20 +0000

In this tutorial we will address the eyes before moving onto the body to do a minor structural change. Step 1: Once you have your file from the previous tutorials opened up in Photoshop we will merge everything to the top using shift+ctrl+alt+E and then create a new layer above that. Take the stamp tool (S) and set its mode to lighten and sample all layers. Using the techniques explained in the previous tutorials brush away the eyelash beneath the …

Retouching the face – part 3

Phil — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:27:07 +0000

In this tutorial we will concentrate on the face with a little more cleaning up and some tricks to add some depth and appeal to the eyes and mouth. Step 1: Open your file up in Photoshop and if you haven’t done so already merge everything to the top by selecting the top most layer and hitting shift+ctrl+alt+E. Create a new soft light layer and name it dodge and burn. Take the brush tool with a soft brush, colour set …

Removing wrinkles and shadows – Part 2

Phil — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 10:34:26 +0000

In this tutorial we are going to focus on the face and neck to remove those dark wrinkles and to even out some of the shadows around the eyes. Open your file from the previous tutorial and we will make a start. Step 1: First thing we want is to merge everything we have thus far to a new layer, select the top most layer and hit shift+ctrl+alt+E and behold a brand new layer does appear. Create a new layer …

Photo retouching clean up – Part one

Phil — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:17:49 +0000

This tutorial is going to cover the first part of our retouch, the clean up. We are going to start with the skin removing any blemishes and move onto tackling those ever annoying fly away hairs. Tutorial images: Beautiful Bride by Fernando Weberich Step 1: Once you have downloaded the image open it up in Photoshop and arm yourself with the healing brush tool. Copy the background to a new layer using ctrl+J and name it something like bride. We …

Swapping heads with photoshop

Phil — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:46:21 +0000

The one thing everybody always seems to want to know in Photoshop is how to superimpose their head onto somebody Else’s body. In this tutorial we will create a pretty unbelievable but strangely convincing head swap in a few simple steps. Tutorial images: Bodybuilder | Old man Step 1: Make a nice quick selection around the old mans head with the lasso tool and ctrl + drag it over onto the bodybuilder where it will be placed onto its own …

Create textures with lighting effects in Photoshop

Phil — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 08:37:47 +0000

In this quick tip I will be showing you a cool technique to create textures with channels and the lighting effects filter. This technique can be used for creating numerous different effects such as realistic metal surfaces or textures like rust. Step 1: Create a new document and name it textures, size doesn’t matter, now go to the channels palette and create yourself a new channel, Alpha 1. Fill the channel with clouds from Filter>Render>Clouds and then go back to …

Creating a zombie in Photoshop – shadows and lighting

Phil — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:43:42 +0000

For the last stage of our zombie I will show you a nice approach to adding shading and shadows and briefly introduce you to smart objects and filters. Step 1: Open up the zombie file from the other tutorials in Photoshop, add in a new layer above the background copy layer and set its blend mode to soft light. Take a nice soft brush with a low opacity of around 10% set your foreground colour to black and brush in …

Creating a zombie in Photoshop – adding blood and gore

Phil — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:05:18 +0000

Now we have a more blood thirsty look going on we really need to get rid of some of those vibrant colours like the blue shirt and start to really set the scene. Step 1: Open up our zombie photoshop file and arm yourself with the pen tool. Create a path around the shirt and braces and make a selection from it. If you don’t know how to use the pen tool I strongly suggest you learn to but for …

Creating a zombie in Photoshop – evil eyes effect

Phil — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 09:51:48 +0000

I should be studying for an exam tomorrow so I’ll make this a quick one, our zombie girl still looks a little too alive so we need to work on the face a little more. Step 1: Open up your zombie file from the other tutorials and go ahead and add a new layer above the background copy of the girl. Zoom in on her eyes and with a soft brush paint in the whites of her eyes with black. …