Photoshop Elements >
Editing: Stylized
Elly Rufer contributed her husband John's photograph below of a man snoozing on a porch.
The location was Louisville, many years ago.
Most of the time, photographers edit so that the editing isn't obvious.
Most films are naturalistic, as well.
Few films call attention to themselves with:
• Unusual cutting
• Color palettes, like teal and orange.
• Quadruple images on one screen.
There is a place for stylized film making, such as the freeze frame at the end of 400 Blows.
Likewise, in still photography editing, you can get stylized.
For example, a student had a photograph of her granddaughter on stage with her classmates.
The student edited the photograph to aim a virtual spotlight on her granddaughter.
The resulting photograph was obviously edited—and it worked.
By John Rufer
Be sure to check off as you go along.
Preparation
1) Preserve your original file.
If you haven't already done so, go to Preserve Your Original File.
2) Create a Background copy layer.
If you haven't already done so, go to Create a Background Copy Layer.
3) Be sure to use the Zoom tool to enlarge the area to be retouched.
Do the Usual: Levels
4) Create a Levels adjustment layer.
The Levels window will open in the Adjustments panel.
Do the Somewhat Unusual: Brightness/Contrast
5) A Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer was also used here.
The contrast slider was used to increase the contrast.
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Brightness/Contrast |
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Levels |
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Background copy |
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Background |
Compare the before and after views below.
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| Before | After Levels & Brightness/Contrast |
Back to the Usual: Burning & Dodging
6) Select the Background copy layer (highlighted).
7) Create three overlay layers for burning and dodging.
8) Select the bottom left corner using the Quick Selection tool.
9) Select one of the overlay layers.
10) Brush the selected area with the Brush tool using a darker shade of gray.
11) Rename the overlay layer as Corner.
12) Select one of unused overlay layers.
13) Zoom in to enlarge the man's face.
14) Brush the face with the Brush tool using a lighter shade of gray.
15) Rename the overlay layer as Face.
There are two white plates in the window.
16) Zoom in to enlarge the plates.
17) Select the remaining unused overlay layer.
18) Brush the plates with the Brush tool using a darker shade of gray.
19) Rename the overlay layer as Plates.
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Brightness/Contrast |
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Levels |
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Plates |
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Face |
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Corner |
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Background copy |
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Background |
Compare the before and after views below.
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| Before | After Burning & Dodging |
We've done the usual.
It's time to . . .
Get Stylized
20) Select the Background copy layer (highlighted).
21) Create a layer mask.
22) Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur.
23) Enter a value in the Radius box, and click OK.
Here, a radius of 2 was used.
The entire image is now blurred.
24) Select the Brush tool, and feather the brush.
If you haven't already done so, go to Feathered Brush.
25) Make sure the the foreground color is black.
If you haven't already, go to Foreground & Background Colors.
26) Click and drag the brush on the man's face and shirt.
The black paint on the mask, below, will block the blur.
Compare the before and after views below.
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| Blurred Everywhere | Blurring Blocked with Mask |
There are two scratches running through the chair legs from left-to-right.
The blur took care of the scratches!
The Mask
Look at the Mask
If you press and hold Alt, and click the mask in the Background copy layer, you'll see the mask.
Repeat the above command to return to the photograph.
Mask as an Orange Shape
If you press and hold Shift and Alt, and click the mask, you'll see the mask as an orange shape on the photograph.
Repeat the above command to return to the photograph.
Disable the Mask
If you press and hold Shift, and click the mask, the mask is disabled.
Repeat the above command to re-enable the mask.
15% Gray?
If you paint with shades of gray, some of the blur will be seen.
Remember:
• Black paint blocks.
• White paint doesn't block anything.
Shades of gray are in between the above extremes.
A dark gray blocks most of an effect.
A light gray doesn't block as much.
| Color Used | Amount of the Effect Seen |
| Black | 0% |
| 10% gray | 90% |
| 15% gray | 85% |
| 20% | 80% |
| 25% | 75% |
| 30% gray | 70% |
| 35% gray | 65% |
| 40% gray | 60% |
| 45% gray | 55% |
| 50% gray | 50% |
| 55% gray | 45% |
| 60% gray | 40% |
| 65% gray | 35% |
| 70% gray | 30% |
| 75% gray | 25% |
| 80% gray | 20% |
| 85% gray | 15% |
| 90% gray | 10% |
| 95% gray | 5% |
| White | 100% |
Saving the Photograph
If you haven't already done so, go to Saving Files.