Photoshop tools created the wedding graphics we needed to replace the wedding photograph we missed!!

Photoshop techniques were used to build wedding graphics and create a distinctive wedding photograph of the groom.

BEFORE....and....AFTER

A lackluster photojournalistic shot photoshopped into one of the most sophisticated and unique wedding portraits of that day.

Photoshop is so broad and deep that there are probably at least three photoshop techniques for any graphic action. I'll share the photoshop tools that worked together for me to build the wedding graphics artistry instrumental in creating the final (the 'After') wedding photograph above.

Follow along to discover how photoshop techniques and flexible photoshop layers added excitement to the wedding graphic design of the groom's portrait and as a result to our final presentation.

Directions are below, including lots of photographs to clarify the text.

Steps 1 & 2 - PHOTOSHOP LAYERS - Move and Straighten

Because of photoshop layers, this common problem is an easy fix.

This shot must be tilted to straighten it out in order to ensure our wedding graphic design has the easiest foundation to work with. Here's how....


1.In Photoshop Layers Palette, Right Click on 'Background'. Then in the pop-up menu, left click on 'Create Layer From Background'. The default name for the new layer is 'Layer O'. Click 'OK' and close the box.

B. At the top of the page (right under Menu Selections) make sure Show Transform Controls is checked (a dotted line - 'marching ants' -should appear around your image).

2. Hover your curser at a corner of the image - a curved arrow will appear. Straighten your image or selection (in this case, the groom is the only portion of the image that is important.

A. Select the Move Tool(V);

B. Select Apply on the pop-up menu.(If disatisfied, select 'Image' in the Menu at the top of the page and select 'Undo' or 'Step Backward').

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Step 3 - PHOTO CROPPING To Create A New Image

Photo cropping enhances and even saves many photos such as the one we're working on. We've often had a client who was ready to reject a photo until I crop it. Or maybe tilt it, or vignette it (more about that at another time, and a brand new image appears. A new image and a happy bride and groom, or mom and dad.

Whether it's wedding graphics that are needed, or enhancements to a family or senior shoot, photoshop techniques have saved our bacon more than once. And, the best part is that the client loves the result!

I spent years without this next photoshop tip, and does it ever save time! And, it's not only easy, but it ensures your hard work is cropped to the right size. I don't know how I ever lived without it!

3. Select Crop Tool (C) on PS Tool Bar menu. (Note the arrow in the diagram to the left).

A. Type the exact width and height desired. For this example I wanted an 8x10, so I typed in 8 for width & 10 for height in the spaces that appear just under the menu selections on the top bar.

B. Your image selection will have a dotted line (it's those ants again). To make it larger or smaller grab a corner with your mouse. (Not to worry, it will maintain the ratio you typed in);

C. When you are satisfied select the Move Tool (V), and select Apply. VOILA! You've got a new photo....almost. We're not ready to close up our virtual photo lab yet. Continue to Step 4 for additional wedding graphics techniques.

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Step 4 - PHOTOSHOP CLONE TOOL - Eliminating Distractions

OOPS! The groom is debonaire, but the backside behind him is anything but artistic (and this site is about photography art!). Plus your eyes are immediately drawn to her patterned skirt and away from the groom.

It's time for another photoshop technique. Cloning literally covers a multitude of photographic sins: blunders, ommissions, commissions, all the things the camera records that we don't notice.

Essential to wedding graphics, the photoshop clone tool recreates texture and color. But beware it will also place the curve of a cheek on a forehead!

Our task for now, however, is to recreate carpet where there's a skirt, and a wall where there's a sweater.

By the way, cloning is best done in small sizes, or the grooms hair may suddenly appear on the wall. The cloning tool has an extended radius (and, yes there is a way to adjust it, but that's another topic).

So, let's begin.

4. Cloning:

A. Clone wall color by selecting Clone Stamp Tool (S) from PS tool menu. Hold down the Alt Key while copying the color (the Clone tool will copy texture at the same time).

B. Release the Alt key and paint with Clone Stamp Tool over the woman's back. Do the same with carpet.

C. Use the Zoom Tool (Z) to enlarge the section you are working on. Then carefully clone the groom's edges.

It's obvious we're not quite there. There is some cloning left to do, but it's time to add a frame in another layer. Once the frame is in place, we will know exactly what's left to cover using the clone tool.

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Step 5 - HOW TO CREATE A SIMPLE FRAME

5. Framing the Groom with the help of photoshop layers:

A. Select the Rectangular Marquee Tool (M) from PS Toolbar menu.

Place it over the image at the desired size (the marching ants will appear). If necessary, move the marquee by clicking and holding the marquee as you move it, or use the arrows on your keyboard to move it up, down, left or right).

B. Choose Select on the menu at the top of your Photoshop window and choose Invert.

Your marching ants will now define your frame.

C. Frame color:

1) At the bottom of the PS tools menu,

2) Choose Paint Bucket Tool (G) from the PS tools menu. Left click inside your frame.

3) Finally, Choose the Rectangular Marquee Tool (M) and click on your image. The ants disappear and you have a frame!

7. You can save your image as Layers (usually PSD or Tif) or flatten it and save it as jpeg. Depending upon the importance of the image, and whether you might want to adjust your enhancement in the future, you may want to save it both ways.(If you change the file name you will be creating a new image and your original image will NOT be changed)..

Check back for more wedding graphics. Plus Click Here for directions to add that glorious gradiant shine to your frame!

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Joyful Expressions Gallery of Original Photography - This is where we began using photoshop techniques to improve our wedding graphics enhancements.

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THINK ABOUT IT....

Why do we take such pleasure in our photography art?

To broaden the question why do most humans enjoy the act and the results of creating art whether it's jazz, wedding graphics, cabinetry, oil painting, making dolls or clothes or food or websites, or you name it?

Isn't it because the Creator, God, has made us in His image? And then endowed us each with certain talents, abilities and desires?

God's creation inspires our creativity and photography.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth....So God created man in His own image...male and female He created them....and each of us is given his own gift." Genesis 1:1,27(NKJV); Ephesians 4:7(The Message)

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