Got 10 minutes? Turn a photos into a sketch!

Last month, I was asked by the editor of a new photographic publication to write a recurring column on PhotoShop. "Really? I'm honored", I answered! "Of course I would!" So, gentle readers - here is the first column. Its on a much-asked-for technique - and now, I see on the web, been covered a few times. But, here's my version. At least the mechanics of the process.

Bryan Snow, photographed and artistically manipulated by Dawn Snow, CPP.

Turning a photo into a sketch.
There are many ways to get a photograph turned into “art”. In this column, I will be covering only one way. Turning a photograph into a sketch. The choice of photograph is important. Sometimes, you will try this technique on a particular photograph it may not work. Do not fear, this is only one technique. The key here is to experiment.

For this tip, you will need to have a basic understanding in PhotoShop (version is not important) of layers, manipulating and reordering layers.

1. Open your photograph in PhotoShop. 
When you open an image in PhotoShop, you have only one layer, the Background layer. It usually contains the image on which you want to make your adjustments or edits. Unfortunately in this state, it is uneditable. Turn that frown upside down! Simply, double click on the background layer icon in the Layers Palette and create your first layer. (This is handy for other functions as well!)
   
2. Now that your photograph is editable, you will need to duplicate your layer. In PhotoShop speak, you will “jump” your layer. Control/command J does this easy-piesy. Or do it old school, and find that command under the Layer menu>Duplicate Layer.
   
3. The next thing is to desaturate this new layer. Don’t get fancy and do a “black & white” conversion here. We just need it simple and sweet. Keyboard shortcut? (Windows)Shift/Ctrl/U or (Mac)Shift/Cmd/U.
   
4. YIKES! We need to duplicate this layer again...Settle down, just follow along. Remember that trick? Jump the layer: Ctrl/Cmd+J.
5. Here comes the fun. Invert this layer. (Make it into a negative! Cool!) Cntrl/Cmd+I. Or old school: Image Menu>Adjustment>Invert. 7.tiff Now set this active layer to “Color dodge”in your Layer’s palette. You can do that by going up to the top of the Layers palette and clicking on the down-pointing arrow to the right of the word "Normal", and then select "Color Dodge" from the drop-down list.
   
6. Don’t worry, you haven’t done anything wrong. Your image is now white. Really. The magic comes in next step.
   
7. Apply the Gaussian Blur Filter to this active layer (the one you inverted and set to “Color Dodge”.
   Depending on your tastes and your specific image, you can set the Radius amount of Gaussian blur with the slider bar at what ever level you like. Generally, a lower radius level creates an image that is very sharp - almost as if drawn with a hard lead and a mechanical pencil. The higher radius levels create more of a soft lead graphite look worked over with a stump. Its your choice!
8. You can by all means, stop here. I did on the portrait I did of my husband and partner in crime, Bryan, pictured above. You have a fabulous sketch, worthy of that empty frame! But, to me, color is also important. So, I will duplicate the background (again) and drag this new layer to the top of the stack of layers. On this active top color layer, its your original photograph, run an artistic filter on it. I chose Dry Brush. Once that is complete, change the layer mode to something that shows enough color without losing the wonderful sketchy feeling. Pin light worked best for this image. (I did run through all of them.)

   
   San Xavier Mission outside of Tucson, AZ.
   Photographed and artistically manipulated by Dawn Snow, CPP
   
   
   
9. A note: sometimes you will need to increase density of blacks or color, I will make these final image adjustments on a Levels or Contrast adjustment layer, and fiddle around with it until I like it.
   

Remember, the effects you get by combining layers, layer modes and artistic effects are only limited by your imagination. I created this portrait in less than 15 minutes. Stack up your layers with interesting textures or different colors. Instead of using the original photograph to reassert color, paint it in.

The choice of photograph is important. Sometimes, you will try this technique on a particular photograph it may not work. Do not fear, this is only one technique.
As a friend of mine says: “If you aren’t having fun, you aren’t doing it right.”
So, have fun and experiment. (Thanks Mark! See, I was listening!)

Pixie and the Pest

Last week Bryan and I went shooting for the joy of shooting. Being a commercial shooter, I sometimes forget to photograph something entirely for myself.(I had the same problem when I was a graphic designer). We went north of Fredricksburg, TX and found the most beautiful views and vistas filled with bluebonnets and birds. The kick was that we decided to experiment with High Dynamic Range photography. The image shown here is one of those I worked on. (I'm tickled, my mom wants it for Mother's Day! Although, my dad isn't wild about the overprocessed look. I told him not to worry, its a trend!)

So, I was pretty pumped when my cousin, Rose Reiseck, from Iowa contacted me, via Facebook to see if I could do something similar to shots she took of her horse called Pixie. I thought, sure, why not?

So here they are, the before and after.

I hope Rose likes it, although its just over processed as opposed to being a true HDR. There are elements in both I love. The soft transitions between light and shadow on the original, but the punch in the processed one can't be beat! Its like the choice between sweet tea or unsweet tea. Its a matter of taste. (Have I mentioned that I want to photograph a horse.. someone who owns one, call me! We can do a trade!)

Wow, I love my life!

After my time in corporate America, I knew I was very bitter and more than a little cynical. I had to grow a thick skin being a naturally sensitive and empathic person. I was eaten for lunch and spat out on several occasions. I used to joke that I had to grow my B----- in order to survive. My husband finally put his foot down about 3 years ago and demanded that I couldn't say that any more.
Having these feelings that my talents were not valued at work in addition to not being able to express what I needed to express at home, drove me to be a very bitter individual. Oh, I hid it well... I smiled, laughed a lot (frankly, a little too loud). My friends knew, because, well, negativity has a way of affecting the rest of your life and all of your relationships. I did and said things that I am not proud of. But, I am only human.
I knew that if I walked around putting out this pessimistic energy that I would attract pessimistic energy back to me. In this life, you get what you give... so.
Lent was a few weeks ago. I usually went to early mass, but had to miss it entirely this year. That did not deter me from prayerfully considering what I would give up. I couldn't think of a thing. Those of you who know me well know that my diet is already pretty strict. That wouldn't work. Humm... then I had a huge epiphany!
I will give up the thing that colors this pessimistic outlook - the bitterness I held for many situations and people. I realized that holding on to that bitterness was very selfish. So, I am giving up bitterness. Now I simply laugh at the situations and people, smile broadly and forgive them in my heart. It takes actively forgiving them EVERY TIME I see them, but I am beginning to love my life again. My husband can even see a difference. Wow.
The bitterness was really holding me back. Since then I have consciously put several things in motion to "let it shine", my talents and my desire to do great works. And I think its working. I have been called by people who truly value my God given talents and my calls have been met with smiles. So, if you hear me humming that old vacation Bible school song: "This little light of mine" you'll know what I am doing...
loving life.

A touchy subject...

I've been marketing and marketing and marketing. Not really actively yet, but thinking, brainstorming and such. Trying to get the creative juices flowing and bouncing ideas off my silent partner, my hubby. He and I always come back to the idea that good enough is good enough for most people. They wouldn't want to pay for a CERTIFIED professional photographer to come and deliver HIGH END images of what ever they need. What I see is a need to educate. Educate our clients and end users on why we demand the prices we do. I hear from so many clients:
"Ohhh, that's a little pricey...I'll just get my Aunt Edna to shoot the photos for me. She's got the exact same camera as you!" At this point I realize that I will not be getting the gig and that they will be happy with "good enough".
So many of my colleagues say that we should not criticize other photographers (non-professionals) work. Why not? As professionals - or people who aspire to be - shouldn't we always welcome criticism? Truly, I'd prefer constructive criticism, but all criticism is a way to expand our vision and grow our talents.
Let me back up. I am getting ahead of myself.
I earned my Graphic Design degree back in 1984 - way before desktop computers & DTP. I worked for several production houses and several other printing firms. Honing my skills and talents, all the way. Suddenly, the desktop computer arrived and church secretaries were calling me up wanting training on Aldus Pagemaker and Adobe Illustrator. Suddenly, my freelance work was drying up. So many people thought that the way to great design started first with a personal computer and a program. I intended to wait it out. (I am still waiting.)
Several years later I took a position with the Fortune 200 company (the one I just left) and so many people at that firm asked me: oh, you are so talented; how do you know what colors go together, how do you design for a presentation, how do you design a logo... I kept going back to a music analogy. I'd ask them, "Do you own a musical instrument?" They'd respond, "Sure!" It was at this point in the conversation that I'd ask them to write me concerto. I'd go on to explain that while they had the means to listen to a nice piece of music and many of them owned pianos... not many of them could create something out of nothing. So many of them took it hard. But in reality, they were insulting me and the talents I brought to the table. (okay - call me Simon Cowl)
Its the same thing with visual arts. Drawing, painting, photography... you have to start with talent and inspiration. Inspiration compels you to learn more, to hone your craft, to learn your tools. Talent is the road. Talent tells you to do it one way over another. Your confidence tells you that its right. Skills without talent is empty.
When I show up to an event, several people tell me "ohh, I have that camera!" or "oh - isn't that lens great? I have that one too!" What used to separate the pros from the "weekend warriors" were the tools we purchase. With so much disposable income in today's America, that difference has become invisible. Its the fact that we've honed our skills and talents to capture what ever moment is in front of us. Its our eye that we've developed over years of "SEEING" and looking for the light. Not everyone can do what I do. Because not everyone can see what I see. The main difference between a pro and an amateur? The pro. (Really not so invisible after all!)
If you want to know how to become a PRO - ask me.

Imaging USA

Well, the hubby and I are actually off to Nashville... Imaging USA; PPA's international conference for 2010. January is off to a great start. One of my prints made it into the Traveling Loan Collection (Snowy Canyon--- posted here several months ago). So, it'll be a kick to see it hanging with all the great photographs of 2009... wow. Imagining, setting goals and visualizing (with major effort and action) pays off!

hope to see some of my heros... and make some new friends as well as catch up with some old friends!!

I hope to come back rejuvenated and full of vinegar to get things rolling for the rest of the year...

A life raft...

The ocean which is PhotoShop.

Before I begin, let me tip my hat to the thousands of my brother and sister Photoshop “experts.” They have been my salvation and my inspiration for so many projects. I thank you.

PhotoShop is as wide & deep as the ocean. I have been floating on this sea of PS since 1997. For many years, people have been asking me for tips and tricks to navigate PS, and so here is my attempt to build a life raft for you. Please understand that this takes time and dedication. You have to do the time. This is NOT easy.

The full PDF is here.

What kind of photographer am I??!! (grin)

Wow... the hubby and I realized that we hadn't yet taken out the recycling this morning. Being very lazy after the big turkey day (Thanks mom!!) we had slept in. I walked outside a little after Bryan only to greeted with my very worried kitty (Morwyn) wanting in. I let her in & proceeded down the walkway to access the day with my coffee in hand.
Suddenly, I felt fast movement from above and nearly had to duck as a Peregrine* falcon swooped down. He lit in a tree across the street. By the time I got back with my camera - he was gone! No photos!
(T'was a big raptor of some sort - Brown/dark brown - large checked marks under the wings. I assume a Peregrine as they are in the area!)
Lesson learned - never leave the house without a camera - even if I am not leaving the yard!