Photo-Art 101 - - What is it called?

moonchild64 · #1 09-01-2008, 06:30 PM

I sure hope this is the right place to ask this ...

I did a photo for a different thread. This is the photo:
http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/att...4&d=1220251297

I had retouched the original picture then I used a program called Dreamlight Photo Editor to add the dreamy curtains, flowers, etc. (btw, that was the ONLY set I liked in the whole program ... not worth getting in my opinion). Then I put my retouched photo and the one I did in the photo editor into PS and layered them so I could use a brush to bring her face back into focus more.

Anyways, my question is ... where can I get more items like the dreamy curtains to uses on photos? I have searched for premade layers, premade overlays, templates, etc. What would they be called? Hard to do a search when I don't know the proper keyword.

Everything I have found so far just makes scrapbooks, collages, etc. What I need is something that has beautiful curtains, ribbons, etc. that I can add to a picture. You know ... things that could have been added already if the portrait were taken in a pro studio. Digital props perhaps?

Okay, I have wrote so much to ask so little ... I am just having trouble describing what it is I am needing. I hope someone understands all the above and will assist me.

Thanks for listening!
Lynn

pixelzombie · #2 09-01-2008, 08:38 PM

see if this helps:

http://www.heathrowe.com/tuts/curtain.asp

0lBaldy · #3 09-01-2008, 09:51 PM

Have you tried searching for brushes... there about a bajillion free ones on the net or make your own..

moonchild64 · #4 09-01-2008, 10:11 PM

Thank you both for the reply. Pixelzombie, that isn't what I was looking for but I do find it interesting and have saved for a future lesson.

OlBaldy, yes, I have been dl'ing brushes all day. Hard to believe what a lot of nice brushes are avail FREE! I still haven't found any wavy curtains though. Still searching ...

However, I am finding some PSD backgrounds that I think will be useful if I do a lot of layering (which is fine because I am learning to truly appreciate layers and masks).

I haven't quite figured out brushes yet. I found some pretty wings but when I use them they are too light though I have the opacity set at 100%. I am going to keep trying other things though. Maybe I will have to just keep adding more layers. ???

Thanks again!

Xaran · #5 09-01-2008, 10:39 PM

Check out Owens Originals they do digital backdrops on CD.

Christine

palms1 · #6 09-02-2008, 07:38 AM

Try hunting down some textures here is a link to a couple of net ones

http://www.flickr.com/photos/6099168...7601879066377/

for your other bits and bobs brushes are the way to go presuming you are using ps or psp

http://www.brushes.obsidiandawn.com/fantasy.htm

http://seishido.biz/seishido.html

two great sites and the brushes are free ( at seishido scroll down to freeware )

also there are other links at the retouchpro library
http://www.retouchpro.com/library/browselinks.php?c=1

oh and dont blame me for all the time you will spend with all the goodies available

Palms

moonchild64 · #7 09-02-2008, 05:16 PM

Wow ... thank Palms! Really nice brushes and more! I have already dl'ed several things and will be having a full day with PS today.

I found some stuff like I was looking for but can't afford it right now (hubby was laid off work due to the company moving to Mexico). Odd thing is ... I STILL don't know what to call them when doing a search. They are all in PSD format and would be easy to afix with free transform. Check out the fairy stuff and halloween here: http://www.fairypathdesigns.com/store.htm
In the fairy section there are tiaras, mushrooms, wings, etc. All the little things to make up a fairy fantasy world for little ones.

They are exactly the kinds of things I was looking for.

So, I tried to make my own but couldn't figure out how to keep the bg transparent so I could move them to another picture easily. I saved as a PSD but it still added a white bg to it.

If anyone knows where a tut is for doing that ... PLEASE point me in the right direction.

I LOVE tuts! I am one who learns much easier by doing than just reading a manual or a book. Tuts allow me to follow step by step.

Thanks again evryone!

pixelzombie · #8 09-02-2008, 05:23 PM

you could call them graphic elements based on the fairy site...juice drops is just one supplier of such items:

http://www.digitaljuice.com/products...mes.asp?pvid=9

moonchild64 · #9 09-02-2008, 05:32 PM

pixelzombie ... that is what I am wanting! Thank you!!! (yes, I am aware I abuse the exclamation points but I can't seem to break the habit ... I get so excited) LOL

I have added that to my faves along with the fairy site so I can purchase some when times are better. In the meantime, now I finally know what to search for ... graphic elements.

palms1 · #10 09-03-2008, 05:42 AM

Moonchild

on making your own you keep the transparency by saving i think as a gif or tiff, but a psd should work as well, when you open the psd the layer is still there transparent ? then with the move tool you can click and drag it on to the image you want and use the transform tool to size etc this might not be the best way but others may know better

here is another tut you might find interesting,

http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/pho...tasy-pics.html

Palms