Blending lightning

Layer mask is one of the most powerful and interesting tools that help blending image become much easier in Photoshop. This entry is an example showing how to blend images using layer mask in Photoshop.
The raw images are the lightning picture on http://www.sxc.hu/, another is my photo taken in Nha Trang.
























The process is quite simple.

• First, create a new Photoshop file, place the lightning image in the first layer.


• Adjust the image (Image/Adjustments/Curves) to make it much darker.

• Next, using the Dodge Tool (just like the brush), drag it over the small branches of the lightning to make them become clearer.


• Then, apply the layer mask for the lightning layer by changing the layer type into LIGHTEN.


• Now, create another layer under the lightning layer, place the image of Nha Trang Beach in to it.


• Adjust the position of the lightning to fit with the Nha Trang image.

That's it, and here is the final result :

10 August 2008.

Tracing pictures is not an easy and interesting work to do. However, sometimes it can be very wonderful spending time tracing the one you truely love.
This is the image I trace using Illustrator. The man is my father, I have spent a lot of time drawing this image with no boredom at all...I'm so proud of my work too :P

Playing with photos

This is the image I made using 2 different pictures describing the same place but at different points of time:

With photoshop, I overlay 2 photos, decrease the opacity value of one. The artistic effect in Filter/Artistic is also applied to change the look of the combined image. Because being created from 2 photos above, the combined image has some special light effect. Its saturation is changed by my intention.

Photos for weekend ;)

I've just returned from a short holiday with my family, it was such an wonderful trip. There are some photos I took on the vacation that I want to share with everyone :P

Sometimes I take photos in the morning...

Or at night, before going to bed ;)

Taking photos of everything around me was so much fun >:)

Or just myself ( actually they're my foot ^^ )

Swimming always makes me feel excited, I love the beach, sunshine and coconut !!!

That's all for this weekend :) See ya next week !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GESTALT

(You can click on the image for better view)

This is the layout I made applying Gestalt theory ;)
The main concepts used are PROXIMITY and SIMILARITY since they come to me naturally during the process of arranging the elements.

• Title and the flower image are connected using CLOSED EDGE grouping.
• The flower's saturation at the top right of the layout is reduced to convey the feeling of a secret hiden. (the idea of the text)
• The background is made of diferent squares with various opacity values, overlapping or lying next to each other.
• One of three quares which form the backgound is rotated to create the difference, making the layout become more interesting. Also, it will focus the viewers' attention into the main content at the middle of the page.

Overall, I try to make the layout look neat but also exciting for the viewers to read :P

A1

Designer for Assignment 1 : Arem K. Duplessis
He 's currently the Art Director of the New York Times Sunday Magazine.
His works:

Publication: The New York Times Magazine
Art Director and Designer : Arem Duplessis

SUN and MOON Symbol

This is the SUN and MOON symbol that I create for the exercise in class.
As you can see, the symbol consists of a black Sun and a white Moon.

• The Sun is colored black so that it stands out against the white background.


• The Moon is colored white to stand out against the black background.
  

This symbol is created with stylized elements (sun and moon). I made this using mainly some basic shapes (circle, square) in Illustrator. Although the technique is quite simple but the symbol itself carries some interesting ideas ^^

• As you can see from the symbol above, the Sun is going to go inside the Moon. When the Sun is totally inside the Moon, they will create a perfect Circle (the half Moon become a full Moon).

=> As this is the symbol for post production company, it means that this company will finally complete the film and sound production process for its clients.

• The Moon is drawn much larger than the Sun.

=> It creates the image of the company growing larger and larger.

That's all for my symbol, hope that you enjoy it !!!