i don't have the before pics available right now because i'm at work but here are the afters.....tell me what ya think :D...don't be too harsh...these are my very first attempts :D thanks!

okay sorry, i just saw how small those images i posted were....so u can go to my FLICKR acct and view instead....feel free to post comments there as well :D thanks! http://www.flickr.com/photos/missconception/

oh i really like them, any chance of a quick explanation i have three grandkids who would love something similar done, great work

Palms

thank u so much palms...i will try to explain
cut out ur pic subject your fave way
create new document
select a background color that compliments ur subject matter accordingly, now with your primary colors set on black and white make a new layer and render clouds and set the opacity however you think looks best, now
insert ur cropped subject into the new document use the eraser tool on this layer if you need to clean up ur edges (use a medium-lrg eraser with soft edges)
now create 2 new layers under ur person's pic (i downloaded some wings brush sets and chose my fairy wings) use one wing in each layer) color however u want using layer syles gradient overlay
to make plasma rings use the eliptical marquee tool on another NEW LAYER on TOP of ur subjects picture...elipse an appropriate size, now right click and choose transform selected then right click again and choose perspective and adjust it so it seems to be going around ur subject, now right click...choose stroke, and the color code should be #d4eaf8 set to 3 on width u can repeat this over and over to create multiple rings, now go to layer style, outside glow and adjust it til it looks how you want it....then i made another new layer and used various brushes for the sparkles and pixies and such and adjusted the layer style and add outside glow, and you can tamper with the selective color of ur subject to compliment the background as u see fitting...whew...that was a lot to type in a quickie...i'm at work so i'm going all by memory on what i did..anyway...i hope this is helpful...i'd love to see when ur done

To me pic 1 looks way too soft, pic 2 looks ok, pics 3 and 4 look like they have been softly garnished

thanks for taking the time to check out my pics cassidy but the first one doesn't look that soft to me...not WAY to soft anyway, it's actually my personal favorite, that one and the 2nd pic, the 3rd pic was my very first attempt and the 4th one, i was just playing around and the original pic wasn't of the best quality in the first place...but i respect your opinion :D

Thank you very much yelhsaneerg have bookmarked the page and will hunt for some brushes in a while and hopefully have a go over the weekend

Palms

i think i got my brushes from www.obsidiandawn.com .... have fun :D

That's great the brushes are not only there but they work in ps7 too :)
Only problem is now i have lost the battle for who has the pc with hubby, which is not fair cause i was here first :angry:
thanks again
Palms

haha...i'm glad we have 2 computers...no fighting...just fighting over the internet lol between his 2 twin brothers visiting for a month and all the guys playing xbox live....i'm thinking a wireless router will be a great investment lol i'm glad today is payday....good luck on getting time on the computer...and by the way....u can call me Ashley (yelhsaneerg is just my name backwards...ashley green lol)

i think i forgot to mention in my explanation, that when you make the plasma rings,after you've placed them how you want, use the eraser on that layer and erase the pieces of the rings that are supposed to be "behind" your subject....just wanted to clarify even though u would've noticed when you got to that point lol :D

i think i forgot to mention in my explanation, that when you make the plasma rings,after you've placed them how you want, use the eraser on that layer and erase the pieces of the rings that are supposed to be "behind" your subject....just wanted to clarify even though u would've noticed when you got to that point lol :D

Thanks Ashley i was just looking for a photo to try it out on ! not as easy as it sounds as the parents are not happy with the kids faces being on the net, so i have to respect there wishes ( i probably agree with them as well )
so of hunting now as the pc pincher is lurking around for his turn again !

good one with the name i never work anybody's out :blush:

Palms

haha that's funny...."the lurker" i know how it is though...and i hate to feel like i'm being rushed or like someone is waiting on me while i'm on the computer lol...but good luck

These are neat. 3 & 4 are my favorites. I think these would be a hit with younger people. Neat idea!

OK Ashley I have had a go and now i think you should wander over to the tutorial section and make a tut, that was excellent easy to follow and i learnt loads not used the right click before or the outer glow ( i think) and i really really enjoyed it, i have posted my attempt but it is only "rough" just so that i got the idea and that i could do it. Next will be to do it for real and boy have i thought of a load of photo's to do it to .

as for the pc he is still lurking, hopefully we will be getting another pc later this year ( that will be MINE) failing that the football season starts again in a few weeks so i will get more time on here then

Thanks again

Palms

i might take time out later on a write up a tutorial....i just usually like to spend most of my time actually doing projects instead of writing about them lol.....it's not as fun :P but i really like how your pic came out...the pic of the little girl was a perfect choice in my opinion very cute.....and yes...knowing just these few techniques does seem to open many creative doors as those i posted are the first and only 4 i've done so far...i know am trying to think of many more things i can create :D have fun on ur next endeavors!
-ash

Thanks DMRDM....yes it is popular with the younger generation ...all my friends have sent me messages "OMG you HAVE to do MY pic too!!" lol i guess i'm gonna be busy :P
ash

Very nice. I like all of them.

thanks so much smak! hope u all are having a good weekend!

Thought i would show you one that i have done this week ( done a couple of others as well but cant post them cause its the kids )
I am rather pleased with it and will say thank you again

Palms

very nice....i like how it all looks so sparkly and white

Your picture are great, and it's really nice that you took the time to explain all this. Thanks.

it's no problem at all....that's the way i learned.... someone took the time to give instructions so it's only right i pass them on :D
ash