There's a process referred to as "halftones" which involves dots (or other small shapes) to create an image. (For more in-depth information on the origin and application of the process, do a Google search.) There's a pretty good explanation/illustration here as part of the marketing info for a commercial plugin:

http://www.vanderlee.com/index.php?section=7&page=18)

Photoshop has a couple half-tone effects:
* Filter > Sketch > Half-tone pattern
* Filter > Pixelate > Color half-tone
* Image > Mode > Grayscale followed by Image > Mode > Bitmap (and select from among the options)

Elements probably has the filter effects, but may not have the Bitmap command.

Other programs probably have similar functionalty.

Anyway, if you've not experimented with this effect, here's your chance.

Use your own photo and apply halftone effects to it!

Let's see what you can do!

~Danny~

Here's an application of Sketch > Halftone pattern...

Note: Foreground colors count!
* Click D on your keyboard for (what you would consider) a normal grayscale effect
* Click D followed by X to get an inverse effect
* Set foreground / background colors to anything you like for something exotic!

Here's one via
* Image > Mode > Grayscale followed by
* Image > Mode > Bitmap > Halftone screen

I combined all 3 methods on different layers, experimented with blends, added a blue sepia. Masks

kiska

Good to see my "War Eagle" buddy online here. Good job Kiska.

Here is my first try. I didn't do anything that Danny said above :) , and created my own abstract of an old grapevine. I liked it better black and white than colored. I've included the original just for grins.

Janet

Neat Janet. WHAT is Toadies RU???? Any relation to Toad Suck??

Toadies are free plugins. The site has some interesting ones. I just wish I could remember how I got to it.

Tis the old age thing ya know.

Janet

Link to RetouchPRO thread where Toadies plugins can be downloaded:

http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/showpost.php?p=73108

I love the Toadies filters. Picasso's Last Word is my favorite.

Hope this is what you meant, Danny. I just saved this leaf pic as a WBMP, first as noise, and then as a pattern. I also included the original.

Oh, Mz Day. Could you elaborate on the above procedure????

WBMP = wireless bitmap????

Save as noise, pattern???

Enlighten me por favor.

Kiska, when you go to Save for Web, one of your options after JPEG is WBMP, and then you've got a couple of options within that one. Not something you'd want to use often, but it's good to know it's there.

OH! I was 'saving as', not for the web. Thanks

Hope this is what you meant, Danny. I just saved this leaf pic as a WBMP, first as noise, and then as a pattern. I also included the original.This is an example of what I LOVE about the Internet... I had NO IDEA this function existed. How very cool.

Inspired, I created an action to simplify duplicating the effect.

The only problem...
The action must be modified before it will work on any computer (except mine). That's because Photoshop "hard codes" the file path specified when the Save for Web (Export) and Open commands are recorded. There's no way to make the path "generic."

Need a favor:
* Try the action
* Give me some feedback on the Readme instructions that explain how to customize it for your computer.

How would you change them?

Thanks, raniday... You just made my day! :)

~Danny~

Danny said:
The only problem...
The action must be modified before it will work on any computer (except mine). That's because Photoshop "hard codes" the file path specified when the Save for Web (Export) and Open commands are recorded. There's no way to make the path "generic."

Danny, I'm not very literate in this kind of stuff, but I'm glad I made your day :)

Hello Danny. Just tried your action and am already stumped. Mac, pscs.

Bear in mind I am not the brightest candle on the cake.

1. Had to make screen shots of stops 3,4,5. Couldn't remember instructions.
2. Can I now, after completing all stop steps, trash the unchecked Export & Open commands??

The action seems fine.

Thanks

Just ran it on a 2nd image, got the attached. Clicked 'cancel', and FIRST image I ran action with popped up. But the end result was on the 'active', 2nd image.

Hello Danny. Just tried your action and am already stumped. Mac, pscs.

Bear in mind I am not the brightest candle on the cake.

1. Had to make screen shots of stops 3,4,5. Couldn't remember instructions.
2. Can I now, after completing all stop steps, trash the unchecked Export & Open commands??

The action seems fine.

Thanks

Just ran it on a 2nd image, got the attached. Clicked 'cancel', and FIRST image I ran action with popped up. But the end result was on the 'active', 2nd image.Great feedback and I sure appreciate it (and the screen shot).

1. Sorry about the screenshot hassle. Normally actions are distributed as .atn files (only), so the little messages (255 char max) are the only way to communicate info within an .atn set.

For the RetouchPRO .zip I could include a Readme.txt to avoid that pain. I'll do that later today.

2. Yes, the unchecked commands can be deleted or you can leave them. They are harmless now.

3. Click OK to the "Replace?" dialog and all will be well.

Thanks for going the extra mile.

~Danny~

Okay. Okay. (I had to have 10 characters)

Okay, Danny, I'm combining two of your things here: halftone Seattle.
Bill

Okay, Danny, I'm combining two of your things here: halftone Seattle.
BillGreat grunge-look, Bill on an appropriate coffee (with cream) looking backgrround. Starbucks,, whose HQ in Seattle, would be pleased. :)