Using Levels {Photoshop Elements Tutorial}

One of the things I do the most in Photoshop Elements is adjust the levels on a picture. So I'm here today to show you how!

I store my photos in iPhoto. When I decide which one I want to edit I begin by creating a duplicate. (right click...duplicate)

Then I click on the second image and click edit (I have the preferences set to take the photo into PSE when I click edit)

I start by selecting the crop tool.
 

Since I know I'll likely be using the photo for scrapping I crop it to 4x6.

To adjust the levels create a new adjustment layer. In the bottom right corner click on the black and white circle and choose levels.

An adjustments window will open.

It helps to have a bell curve. If there is a space between the end of the black hills and the white triangle I drag the white triangle to the edge of the black hills.

But the most important adjustment I make is lightening the mid-tones. Drag the gray triangle until the photo looks good to your eye.

I usually adjust until I can see the lights in the eyes.

The more you drag to the left the lighter it gets.

The farther you go to the right the darker the photo gets.

Sometimes adjusting the levels washes out your color a bit. To fix this I select the background layer in the layers palette.

Then go to enhance...adjust color...remove color cast.

This box will pop up. Use the eye dropper to select an area of your photo that is white. With people I typically try to select the whites of their eyes.

However on this photo that made things way too green.

So I tried my son's teeth and that brought back a nice skin tone. Then click ok.

Now that I have my levels where I want them it's time to flatten the image. Right click...flatten.

I also like to add some contrast. Usually I just auto contrast.

And save as your image.

I don't rename my photo I just click save.

And I replace. (which is fine to do since I am editing on a duplicate not the original)

And here is a side by side comparison of my before and after.

Photo Collage {Photoshop Elements Tutorial}

Awhile back I showed you how to make a photo collage in PSE.  Well today I'm back to show you an even EASIER way!  Know that I am learning this PSE thing right along with you!  I just love to share what I'm learning and hope that you find some benefit in these little tutorials as well.

Begin by opening a blank document (File...new...blank file).  Set the size to what you want your finished product to be.  Lately I've been doing a lot of 4x6 canvases in order to make collages for my PAS.  Once you have your canvas ready select the rectangle tool.

Draw a rectangle for your first photo.

Draw a second rectangle (I changed the color just to make it easier for you to see, but that isn't necessary).

And draw your third rectangle.

In the Layers Palette (bottom right) select the first rectangle.

Drag and drop your first photo into the canvas.  Mine always come in very big.  So I have to drag the corners down quite a bit before I even think about clipping.

Adjust the size and placement of your photo until it looks the way you want.  Click the checkmark to commit to the resize.

At this point create a clipping mask (forgot to take a screen shot of that but there is one coming up.  or you can see this tutorial for help).

In the layers palette select your second rectangle.  Then drag and drop your next photo onto your canvas.

Once you get your photo close to the size you want it's time to create a clipping mask.  With the photo layer selected go to Layer...Create Clipping Mask.  That will link your image to the rectangle shape.  You can still move and resize the photo as needed.

It's time for photo number three!  Same process as the last two.  Select the rectangle layer, drag and drop the photo, resize as needed, and create clipping mask.

Now you have all three photos on your canvas.  You could stop here.  But I like a bit of definition between the photos.

I want my lines to be white so on the left hand side I made sure the white was on top of the color swatches.

Under the rectangle tool is a line tool.  Select the line tool.

In the top tool bar choose your pixel size for your line.  I typically use 5 pixels for a line on a 4x6 photo.  Remember the larger the pixel size the thicker the line.

I find it best to start my line just off the edge of the picture.  As you drag your line hold down the shift key.  It will make your line go straight.  Love that!  If you draw your line and can't see it, remember that the line layer has to be on top of the stack.  So just drag the layer to the top and the line will show up.

Follow the same procedure to draw your second line.

Your collage is now complete!  So easy right?!?  To be ready to print you must flatten your image.  In the layers palette right click on one of the layers and choose...flatten image.  Remember to save your creation as a jpeg.

I think this process is very handy if you are the kind of person that prints your pics outside of the home.  Especially if you like to scrap photos smaller than 4x6.  With this method you can fit several small photos on one 4x6 canvas and print them up.  You can cut them apart or scrap them as is (which I did with this one and will show you later in the week).


Hope you found this tutorial helpful! happy collaging!  :)

How often do you create photo collages?  Do you use Photoshop/PSE or another online source?  Do you love ice cream like I do?  What is your to die for flavor?  Leave me a comment, I'd love to hear all about it!

Creating an Overlay {Photoshop Elements Tutorial}

Those of you that have taken a peek at my 120 Days PAS have seen the email and facebook overlays I created.  I wanted to take some time to show you how to make your own!

To begin create a new canvas.  File...new...blank file.

I made this canvas 4x6.

Choose the shape for your overlay.  I used the rounded rectangle.

In the top tool bar select the pixel size for your corners.  I used 40 px.  The larger the number the more rounded your corners will be.

Click and drag your rectangle to size.

Don't worry about the color of your rectangle, you won't see that in the end.

In the top bar click on the Style button.  At the edge of the menu click the arrows and choose Visibility.

Under visibility click hide.

Hover your mouse over the shape thumbnail in the Layer palette.  Hold down the Command key (Control for PC) and click.  You should see marching ants around your shape.

Add a new layer by clicking the icon that looks like a stack of sticky notes in the bottom left of the Layer palette.

Now go to Edit...stroke selection.

Decide the width of your line.  I used 10 px.  The larger the number, the thicker your outline.

Next it's time to pick your color.  Click on the color box and the color palette will pop up.

I chose black for my outline.

Once you have your width and color chosen click ok.

To get rid of the marching ants go to select...deselect.

Now it's time to make space for your sentiment.  You could just erase part of the line, but I don't like to do that.

Making a rectangle is easier to adjust bigger or smaller as needed based on your text.  Select a regular rectangle.

Begin to draw your rectangle over a portion of the outline.

My rectangle didn't show up.  But when I looked in the layers palette I saw it there so I knew there was a reason I couldn't see it.  First I tried to select the rounded rectangle outline shape and the stroked layer and merged just those layers...didn't work.  :)

Then I remembered that we had told the shape tool to "hide."  So I went back up to style and chose show...there it is!

Make sure your rectangle matches your background.  If it doesn't make white your foreground color (top of the two color boxes on the left) and paint bucket it into the little rectangle.

Then select your text tool and choose your font.  I used Ali Edwards official font.

Type your sentiment and then adjust your font size as needed.

Move your sentiment around until it fits in the space the way you want.  This is also the time you may want to adjust the length of your white rectangle to fit the size of your sentiment.

I like to File...Save As at this point.  That way if I want to make a different overlay all I have to do is come in and type a different sentiment.

To print, right click on the layers palette and flatten image.

File...Save as again.

This time change the format to jpeg.  And you have a completed overlay!

I sure do LOVE THIS!

















Ever used an overlay on one of your pages?  Have something you are dying to learn how to do in Photoshop?  Leave me a comment!  I'd love to hear all about it!