help with overlays?

[starsong1966]

I'd like a good tutorial on overlays. I enjoy taking photos of flowers, and would like to sharpen my Photoshop skills to learn how to add an overlay.
Please see the link to my Gerbera Daisy Pink photo. Taken in my garden last Summer (2008). I'd like to add a whimsical or romantic feel. I made a few attempts and trashed it. Maybe I just need some more ideas to get started.
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z...flowerpink.jpg

[palms]

Starsong not quite sure what you mean by overlays ? but it would be a big help if you could let us know which software you are using ?

in the meantime take a look at this link for the "orton technique " (one of many out there )

Palms

[H.Kent Shirley]

Is this something like what you were wanting to know...

[starsong1966]

yes, that is what I was talking about. I actually had a rendition similiar to that but trashed it. Often times my flower photos have things in the background that I'd like to get rid of. I use the selecting tool and delete the items. What I'm now trying to learn is how to do overlays with textures etc. without them looking so plain and ordinary. I don't want people to see my flower photos and think of it as just another flower photo. I'd like to make it into a piece of art that someone would like to hang on their wall! I like the overlays that are on Graphic Authority. I may have to take a Photoshop class as our local community college. I do use Photoshop vers. 8, CS.

[starsong1966]

I tried the Orton technique as palms1 referred me to, but the effect doesn't look quite right.
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z...epinkbloom.jpg
Maybe if it were a different picture?

[0lBaldy]

Starsong,
I used the extraction tool on a copy of your original 'Pink Flower' to get an extraction mask (Extraction tutorial movie HERE, Tis a Quicktime movie may be a wait.. be patient!)
Then on a copy of the original I ran PeterS's 'Strange' Action found here
Then put the masked flower on top of the layers
then applied your Sig just for fun

I did not sharpen or play with your original other than a quick extraction and then used it in the action..

This method gives you ample opportunities to enhance your already nice photos if this is what you are interested in? The action could be replaced with any artsy picture or any other background you wanted to use..

Hope this helps some.

[palms]

Originally Posted by starsong1966

I tried the Orton technique as palms1 referred me to, but the effect doesn't look quite right.
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z...epinkbloom.jpg
Maybe if it were a different picture?

You have that right some pictures work better than others with the technique ( which is the same for most techniques ) I made this technique into a action so that it is quicker to do and see if it is the effect i want I used this on the first image it is just one way of getting a dreamy look

Olbaldy has given you some great pointers and links (thanks for that i will have a look at them ) Personally i mask i find it easier and i get better results ( again it is a personal thing )

the second image i have posted is using textures i masked the flower and put the texture as a background then added the texture to the top and reduced opacity and soft light blendmode
here is a recent post with a few links in
and if this is more to your liking here is a gallery i admire (one of many i may add )

[starsong1966]

Thanks OlBaldy that effect really makes my photo look groovy! I'll have to play around a bit to see what I come up with! Thank you for sharing your ideas! It's very appreciated! : )

palms1, the effect that you've used looks very nice and exactly what I'm trying to get.
The texture really enhances the photo and makes it more interesting.
I have started downloading some textures and will spend more time on it this weekend. I have literally thousands of photos that I've taken that I can experiment with!
Thank you!!!

[palms]

this is the texture i used on the flower


texture

Palms

[Aleksman71]

One more from me.


http://www.shrani.si/f/1P/nh/2zioxkmB/flower2.jpg

[starsong1966]

Hi Aleksman71,
I like your rendition also. Did you use a mask and then added the background as a separate layer then blend?

[starsong1966]

thanks for the link to the textures palms1.
they are all really awesome! I think I downloaded about 10 of them!

[Aleksman71]

No,I did background as a new layer,I just erased what was over the flower.

[starsong1966]

I did a couple of photos last night using that same technique. I haven't figured out how to do a mask yet. I have tried on my own but just not getting it. Doing the background as a separate layer and selecting overlay option and playing with the adjustments, then going back and erasing has been working ok.
But I'm sure there is an easier way.
Here are the two that I did last night if you'd like to take a look.

Also anyone else is welcome to see also, especially those of you helping me out.
I really appreciate everyone's input.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z...plegerbera.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z...s/hibiscus.jpg

[Peter S]

Originally Posted by starsong1966

I did a couple of photos last night using that same technique. I haven't figured out how to do a mask yet. I have tried on my own but just not getting it. Doing the background as a separate layer and selecting overlay option and playing with the adjustments, then going back and erasing has been working ok.
But I'm sure there is an easier way.
Here are the two that I did last night if you'd like to take a look.

Also anyone else is welcome to see also, especially those of you helping me out.
I really appreciate everyone's input.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z...plegerbera.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z...s/hibiscus.jpg

Nice pictures.
The trouble with using the eraser is that it is destructive and if you use too many history states up, you can't always go back.

A quick way to mask is, on a duped layer make a selection around what you want to see, then in the layers panel at the bottom, click on the "Add layer mask" button. This very quickly adds your mask and everything is still there, just some of it is hidden.
Then you can add your own BG underneath this layer.
Another tip, click on the mask, then add a little Gaussian blur, I used 1pixel for the attached example mask, this just softens the edges slightly and makes it blend in better.

Thats how I masked the attached flower pic, the BG was done similar to the way OB has done his, (thanks for the mention OB), but with a few other tweaks.

Hope this helps.

Peter

[starsong1966]

I really love those backgrounds! I have started a new folder for backgrounds and having a great deal of fun. Your backgrounds are very interesting. Love them. Did you make them yourself? I plan to start taking my own background photos to get my own textures etc. I have a couple of concrete and paint ones that I found from free textures online. But now I realize how much more interesting my flower photos will be with better backgrounds!
Can't wait to try out the masking directions that you've given me.
I'll post some results soon! I hope my rendition will provide good results.
I'm so appreciative for everyone's input.

[palms]

Looking good Starsong As Peter says masking is the way to go as you can correct any mistakes
I have found a couple of links for you

Layer masks

quick masks

They should work the same for most versions of ps

and it is a great idea to make your own textures and backgrounds

Oh and it is fun too

Palms

[starsong1966]

Hi all,
well, I feel that I'm making progress...
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z...ldofDaisys.jpg

[starsong1966]

I gave it another try tonight.
I will have fun playing around this weekend. I'm going to take some shots and make my own backgrounds, also plan to work on HDR techniques.
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z...niesOrchid.jpg

[palms]

Originally Posted by starsong1966

Hi all,
well, I feel that I'm making progress...
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z...ldofDaisys.jpg

It also looks like you are making progress, nice work and it sounds as if you are enjoying it as well

Palms