Arborea 'Engelsglockchen' now moved into my conservatory, it has started to bloom its socks off.
Hitting it with loads of pollen.
Much smaller plant than the Arboreas that I have grown from seed this year
This one came as a cutting from AKA earlier this year
Alan, that's a fantastic shot of a very elegant flower! ♥
I'm LOVING the smaller plants... gorgeous pic Alan!
Thanks for the nice comments
Alan
Where did you learn to take pictures like this Alan. Absolutely stunning.
Thanks for the compliment, self taught Eric.
I can tell you the easy secret if you wish.(you do need to have Adobe Photoshop or similar)
Alan
Very attractive picture. I don't think my hand is steady enough anymore to use the programs that make such great looking backgrounds for brugs.
OK Alan! I have Adobe Photoshop Elements.
I've had it for a few months now, but haven't loaded it yet.
Can you give me a lesson? :-)
I also have adobe photoshop. This is exciting.I love learning new things.
Linda
Ok lesson has started :-)
Not sure how to play this but here go's:-
Open Photoshop
Top left hand corner-File-open-
This opens a box asking which picture you want to wok with.
Drop down box is location of your pictures (normally on 'c drive)
Double click on the picture you want - picture opens on screen
Look at tool box, if this is not open on the screen, go to top of screen and click 'window' options wi;; open listing, Actions,Brushes,etc. choose 'Tools'
A tool bar will no open on screen,left click and hold top of the tool bar and drag to left hand side of screen, let go of mouse button.
A third of the way up on the tools bar you will see 2 squares, these should be Black (top left of section) and White. If they are not B+W click the little B+W boxes in the bottom lft corner of this section.
On the right hand side of the tool bar, 4th item down on the right hand side is a picture of a Brush (if it is not displaying a Brush , left click on it and hold, you will have 2 options to choose from, choose Brush)
Lesson paused.
Am I pitching this at the right level? can you follow it OK? to simple? to advanced?
Have you got to this point? Teresa it could be slightly different in 'Elements' let me know if you can't follow.
Will resume when I hear back from you (Thats left you in suspense hasn't it LOL )
Alan
This is great! easy to follow
Thanks
Linda
I'm following closely. Hurry up and press play again, lol!!
- Tom
Hi Alan! Sorry, I just saw your instructions and had to load my software first.
Mine is really quite different than what you've been describing, so it's taken me longer. When I left click on my brush, it reveals 4 different options.
I'm with you.............. Thanks for waiting. I LOVE your work!
Well, right now it's 8 minutes to 1 am for Alan, so looks like we'll have to wait until morning. ;-)
Sorry for the delay, had to be away from home for a couple of days with work :-(
Lesson 2
So we have your picture on screen and the brush selected.
On the second row down from the top, left hand side, you should see the word 'brush' next to 'brush' is a number (150 on my example) next to the number is a downward pointing arrow. This will open another box, we will have to do this next set in case your brushes are not set to the default brushes. In the box you have just opened inthe top right had corner is a right facing arrow, click the arrow. This opens a dropdown box, select 'Reset Brushes' confirm in the box which has just opened that you want to Reset Brushes. Again click the downward facing arrow next to the 'Brush' word and number on second row, in this box now change settings to Hardness:- 0 and Master Diameter:- 150. A 'soft' Brush with a diameter of 150 has been set.
Along the top line of the screen find the word 'Window' click and a drop down box will open. Select 'Navigator and Layers' 2 boxes will now have opened. I click and drag these to the righthand side of screen. (Being right handed I find it best to have to 'Toolbar' on the left of screen and Navigator and Layers on the right its a personal choice)
Paused,coffee time,back in 5mins
You all sitting comfortable ? lets begin again.
In the Navigator box (you just opened it) make sure the Navigator tab at the top of the box is higlighted. Now slide the arrow at the bottom to the right to zoom to the left to zoom out. Zoom in on a section of your pictures backgound,left click and hold mouse button and start to paint black on the background.
To adjust the brush size for more intricate work a short cut is to use the 'square bracket' keys on your keypad.
Continually unclick the mouse key which will save that selection of work you have just done, then if you make a mistake and want to undo (second from left at top of screen:- Edit,Step Backwards) it won't delete ALL your work.
Now continue to paint out all the background you dont want.
It normally takes me approx. 30 mins. to paint the background. The more careful you are at this stage, the better the final picture.
Pause lesson.
I think its better at this stage to let you all try this lesson, if there are any questions please ask. The next lesson will be 'enhancing the picture and adding a border' if you want to know how to do this?
Alan
LOL! Don't laugh now. I did this one before this last lesson. Geez, I think I was sweating bullets trying to even stay close to the bloom without covering it up. I didn't know about all of the little settings I could have used. Thanks for your lessons. I will work on some other pictures and hopefully get a little better.
I copied and pasted your instructions into a word document, so that I can print it out and try it t his weekend.
Thank you Alan!
Hey Brugie
If thats your first attempt 'you did good'
The more you practise the better you will get.
Teresa, correct my spelling mistakes before you keep the lesson.
Do you want more?
Alan
Yes please, this is so much fun.
Thank you
Linda
Thanks Alan. I'm looking forward to more lessons. This has also made me look into the program further to see what it has to offer. My program is Paint Shop Pro Photo XI. It's different but working.
Yes, of course Alan, we ALL want to learn more.
What happened? This thread just stopped. Did I miss something?
Cathy
me too, waiting,waiting,waiting.
Just beautiful... I must try that too... but that brug is exquisite... wow.. I love that kind of beauty...
Thank you for sharing such a lovely photo and showing us how to do that.
Carolyn
Thanks so much Alan for your teachings. i need a day or 2 to work it out!
Blessings!
Ok guys, I have neglected you, sorry !
You have your picture opened with the background painted Black.
At the bottom of the 'Layers' box that you have open (if its not open, top line,Windows,click Layers) there is a circle,half Black half White.Click the circle and a list will open, choose Levels.On the top slider/graph right hand arrow makes the picture lighter,left had arrow makes the picture darker, middle arrow alters the 'Gamma' Play about with them until your picture has a pleasing contrast / apperance or click the 'Auto' botton on the right hand side of the Levels box, when your happy with it, click OK (top right of 'Levels' box.
Now the frame, top left hand side of your Tools box (if not open,top line 'Windows' click tools) click Rectangular Marquee' icon (if this is not showing in the top left hand corner, left click and hold down for options,make the choice) in the top left hand corner of your picture (equal distance from left side and top {1/4" maybe} )left click and hold button and move the cursor towards the bottom righthand corner and you will see a box being drawn, stop when your at an equal distance to your starting point. You should (I hope) have a box on your picture made up of dotted lines. (If you have made a mistake, right click insie the box and click 'deselect' then start again)
Now go to 'Edit' on the top line ,click and a drop down box will open, choose 'stroke' (half way down the list)In the 'stroke' box set width to 12, location,choose 'outside' Blending Mode 'Normal' opacity 100% then click in the colour box which opens a colour picker box, choose your colour. OK the colour picker box then OK the Stroke box.
You should now have a boarder around your picture. If you don't like it, click 'Edit' at top left of screen and the 'step backwards' option a few times until the boarder disappears.
I'll let ou all practise this. Next lesson 'How to write on the picture'
Hope you all followed that OK ?
Alan
Everybody up to speed with the latest lesson?
Alan
Bump
Thanks for the bump. If you had not bumped it I never would have known it is here. I love learning new things.
Ok I have everything copied and pasted.
