1st time poster, dont know were to start...

[FunkHead]

Hi people,

Long time stalker, first time poster here at Retouch pro.

I was wondering if some of you fine folk might be able to assist me with a couple of ideas I have?

I am an Australian Photographer, who along with taking pics, loves to photoshop. I am self tought and know alot of the image editing skills required to make photos look great. I consider myself as a 'Keep it Natural' photoshopper (so I tidy instead of alter).

So, this is what I am up to and need help with.

1) I am planning a photoshoot for end of November this year. One of the images I would love to create will be taken in a Pine Forrest with the aid of a model. I would love to create a photo that looks like the model is appearing from the tree (think of a photo, tree slightly left, model looking right and appearing from the tree. I want to blend some of the tree bark and then fade to face.

Does anyone know were I might be able to find a tutorial that might be able to help me?

2) I am going to try and photograph a friend of mine before the birth of her 1st child. I would like to do the pregnant belly shot with what looks like the baby foot pushing from the inside of the belly out.

Does anyone know how to do this without gambling on the baby actually doing it . Im thinking shoot mum and then when the baby is born, shoot the feet and blend some how in PS. Im not to sure.

Thanks in advance for any advice. I really like this site and get some great ideas from it.

Look forward to reading your replies.

John

[Ziaphra]

Worth100 will help teach you...they are a great bunch.

http://www.worth1000.com/stories/thr...=12&eid=487817

[Swampy]

Welcome to RetouchPro! Explore and Enjoy!

I've created "mud man" by:

1. Duplicate background
2. Create a selection of the man as save the selection
3. Open the texture image select all and copy
4. Paste the texture into the first (man) image
5. On the texture layer Load the man selection
6. Invert the selection and delete, leaving the man covered with mud
7. Add a mask to the mud layer
8. Use a black to white gradient on the mask to reveal as much of the man as you want. Or you may also use a black brush at various opacities to paint back those portions of the man you want revealed.