Effective Advertising and Info Management

Have you always wanted to create a more realistic, dramatic affect to a picture like rain but never knew how? well, here are some simple and efficient ways you can easily do them. They are all easy to follow and depending on what you like, will always turn out right.

Well, here’s how to create a “realistic” if you may of any ordinary picture with reflections, rain, rain drops, wetness, etc… its fairly simple and can turn out perfect if you try.

Now, here is the example I am using.

___ http://articles.motortoday.com/news/Evo8FQ400/Evo8FQ400-1.jpg

The image is courtesy of motorday.com and its rightful owners.

Here is the outcome of the image.

___ http://sixpop.com/images/images/33727102.jpg

All I did was I added all the effects you see, removed the logo to show the reflection, and repaste it when i was done into a black background to mimic the orignial picture. Below are the steps

**********
Now, I am assuming you have some knowledge of Adobe. If not, let me know and I will post an in depth tutorial with screenshots.
**********

HERE ARE THE STEPS FOR THE RAIN

1. Find an image that you would like to make into an effect like this.

2. Create a new layer and name it rain. Also, color it all white.

3. Then go to Filter>Noise>Add Noise.
—http://sixpop.com/images/images/88790575.jpg

4. Make sure “Monochromatic” and “Gaussian” are both checked on the bottom. I usually use between 300-400 for the %. Feel free to choose whichever you prefer.

5. Next, go to Filter>Blur>Motion Blur
—http://sixpop.com/images/images/3265833.jpg

6. The angle reflects the angle the rain will be coming in and the distance reflects the distance the blur is apart from eachother. Heavy rain and light rain.

7. Select the rain layer and change the layer option to “Vivid Light” (at the top left of the layer pallette). Now, change the opacity to around 80%, or your liking (top right, the top one where it says 100%)

HERE ARE THE STEPS FOR THE REFLECTION

1. Use the lasso tool(L) to select a portion of the image you want to reflect. For my image, I use just the car. Lasso-ing the shape around the car.

2. Copy the selection and paste the selection onto a new layer.

3. Now, right click on it and select “Free Transform”

4. Now, you will want to right click on it again once you see the rectangular selection. Choose “Flip Horizontally” or “Flip Vertically” depending on what reflection you need. For my example, I chose “Flip Vertically.”

5. Move the image to the bottom near the tires. Once you are there, move the cursor to any corner of the rectangular selection and rotate it so it aligns with the original picture.

6. Go to Filter>Distort>Ocean Ripple and change the Ripple Size to like a 12 and the Ripple Magnitude to like a 2. Or to your liking.

7. Once again, go to the Opacity and change it to like a 50% or to your liking.

FOR THE CENSOR

1. Choose the rectangular tool and make a selection of the license plate.

2. Go to Filter>Pixelate>Mosaic. The default setting should be good, if not, change it to your liking.

All done, if you would like to know anything else… like the little rain drops around the car, how to remove the logo, wet tire look or anything.. let me know.

Enjoy.

MORE INFO CAN BE FOUND AT http://www.writingup.com/taejien

The domestic cat must be one of the most photographed animals. Who hasn’t taken a picture at some time of the family puss? At first it is simply to try out the new camera but as time goes on getting a “cat in every position” seems almost like an obsession! But who, apart from you and your nearest, wants to see the umpteenth picture of the house moggie even if it is in a slightly different pose?

Now is the time to improvise and innovate! The family cat (or dog for that matter) can be a source of some great shots (and yes, you can still take and keep the usual pretty pictures as well).

Next time you want to take some decent images of your cat, think of the following:

- the cat hiding behind something, ready to pounce

- an action shot, the cat going scatty or engaged in an activity

- a close up - get in real close, use macro or close up lenses (and a reflector)

- a studio shot - keep the background plain and contrasting

- employ a human to be part of the shot - the cat walking around stockinged feet or boots

- get a prop - a chair, bed, shelf, bench

- focus on detail - fur, eyes, teeth

- combine the cat with something appropriate but unusual - a gigantic ball of wool or a large fluffy mouse

- cats and babies are really cute!

- get the cat to sit with an unusual, contrasting, object - on a cycle, with some fruit, in the bath

I am sure you can think of more. Take lots of images so that you get one that looks the part.

Cats are willing participants and readily available. And you don’t need to go outside!

Eric Hartwell runs the photography resource site http://www.theshutter.co.uk and the associated discussion forums as well as the regular weblog at http://thephotographysite.blogspot.com