HELP ~ Photo Manipulation.

[Random1324]

I'm new with Photomanipulation and I was just wondering if you have any usful tips you could share. Just to help me get more familiar with it.

General stuff like this. ( What are good tools to use, easy ways to do things, how to blend images together etc.. )

Thanks in advance :lol:

 

[iDad]

Learn what the tools are and what they do before anything, is my usual way I answer such questions

 

[Random1324]

I know what the tools are, I have experience in Photoshop. I was just wondering what you would recommend to use for manipulations.

- Sorry I should have mentioned that in the description. Thanks anyways.

 

[MikeMc]

learn to make and use masks

 

[IamSam]

Going along with both the above mentioned suggestions, especially in making masks, learn the Pen tool! It's vital!

 

[Inkz]

There's a lot to consider when making a photomanipulation...

Random elements on a background will never look right. So, you need to plan what you want to end result to look like.

Here's the steps I follow when making a manipulation.

1. Gather HQ stocks from a good source. I use http://www.sxc.hu or http://www.deviantart.com

2. Look for a decent background with a good light source to follow.

3. Very important... Cut out our model or elements with good precision. Don't be sloppy.

4. Blending your images into the background. I usually do this with adjustment layers ie colour balance, hue/sat and photo filter.

5. Follow the light source from the background and apply where needed.

6. Added shadowing. Very important as you may have added extra lighting.

7. Once all that is done. At the very end, add a gradient map with curves just to make the whole image come together.

If you need any help with the above, just ask.

 

[Paul]

To go with Inkz explanation, here is a wonderful tut i have posted this here before.

http://10steps.sg/tutorials/photoshop/making-of-a-forest-magical-scene/