Lagos Graphics Tutor:- A personalized professional graphics tutoring platform created by Adeshekemi Adebayo a.k.a Paulaobay for teaching graphics design using Adobe Photoshop including Photo/Image editing, creative logo designs, flyers/posters design, pattern design, web graphics, Photoshop animation and creating video in photoshop.
In the video tutorial below, I demonstrated how to work with layers. Layers are important, element in Adobe photoshop which are used for manipulating their content.
Photoshop layers are like sheets of stacked acetate. You can see through transparent areas of a layer to the layers below. You move a layer to position the content of the layer, like sliding a sheet of acetate in a stack. You can also change the opacity of a layer to make content partially transparent.
Transparent areas on a layer let you see layers below. You use layers to perform tasks such as compositing multiple images, adding text to an image, or adding vector graphic shapes. You can apply layer style to add a special effect such as a drop shadow or a glow.
Watch the video tutorial below to learn how to work with layers in Photoshop CS6
Another way of editing photos/images in Adobe Photoshop is through the use of Camera Raw. Camera Raw is like a mini software packaged with Adobe Photoshop and its effective for enhancing photos and images
In camera raw images and photos can be adjusted for white balance, tonal range, contrast, color saturation, and sharpening. When you adjust photos and images in camera raw, the photo/image info is preserved.
Watch the video tutorial below to see basic editing procedure in Camera raw
The most important skills as of today for a graphics designer is Drawing skills and illustration skills. However, quickly check if graphics design is for you. Once a graphics designer get an idea the best thing is to pen down the idea before it can be digitalized. The three most used applications are InDesign, Photoshop and Illustration.
INDESIGN
InDesign is an application used in producing documents for print and on-screen delivery. It possesses a variety collection of tools that will enable a graphic designer to customize every element of his/her design. It gives delivery like print publications, e-books, digital magazine etc. It is also a great tool for creating interactive PDF's or exporting EPUBs- a standard e-book file format.
PHOTOSHOP
This application gives a graphics designer alot of benefits. One of the benefits of editing in Photoshop is that it enables the designer to edit and create images, designs, and videos and even 3D models. Another benefit is that it comprises of great tools for editing like cropping and straightening, shadow and highlight detail, sharpening, masking, compositing, and retouching, color, and tonal adjustments. Photoshop gives the designer ability to edit non-destructively i.e editing an image without affecting the original version, working in layers, using masks, and alot more.
ILLUSTRATION
Illustration is another wonderful and powerful drawing tool for creating scalable vector art. It is very crucial for logos that might be used at different sizes. It enables designer create freehand drawings also tracing and recoloring scanned in art. Apart from using illustration for creating logos, it can also be used for creating icons, illustration and setting type.
Applying the right tool for a specific assignment is as essential as the essence of graphic design. Hence, beginner graphic designers must learn and develop their skills in order to stay relevant in the skim of things.
"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. Scott Adams"
According to Wordweb dictionary, creativity means the ability to create. Creativity and ideas are the fire, artists and graphic designers depend on. Here are 2 things would be graphics designers need to do in order to unleash their creative power
Brainstorming :- One of the steps in understanding that creativity is merely by looking for problems to solve by been a problem solver with relevance and novelty. Regular brainstorming sections will generate a constant flow of ideas for would be graphic Designers. You can use brainstorming exercises to bring out new and fresh ideas. Kickstarting creativity requires action from the designer.
Sketching On Paper :- As a graphic designer, it is important to often sketch on paper for idea generation. Drawing is an important part of creativity and ideation. Shutting down your computer as a designer enable you to really concentrate on developing the idea that pops up in your head without being distracted by color, or type or the tools in your software.
As a designer you find inspiration in unlikely and unique places, exploring the creative process of others can be a fantastic way to sharpen your eye and potentially frame your own creative process. Nature and watch could be another fantastic way of generating ideas. Never be afraid to explore and experiment in other to unleash your creative power
Film Border Stock Images
The first step to adding a Vintage film border to any digital photo is to find an image online or scan your own film.
There are many stock photo websites to choose from, in this case, we found the film border on Adobe Stock.
Once you have found a stock photo of a film border, open it in Photoshop along with the original image. Place the original image over the film border and resize it so the image only appears in the center of the film border.
Next, double click on the film border to convert it to a regular layer and bring it to the top of the layer stack.
Change the blending mode of the film border layer to ‘Multiply’ to set the effect. Multiply Blend Mode will make the dark areas of a layer visible and the Light areas invisible, allowing the original photo to show through the center.
Watch the demonstration on how to add a vintage film border
In this photoshop how to tutorials, I found an exciting way to add depth and movement to photos by adding Motion Blur to Backgrounds. Follow the following steps to add motion blur to background:-
Step 1: Separate the image from the background. Create a duplicate of the background layer and use the Spot Healing Brush Tool to remove the subject. Be sure that “Sample All Layers” and “Content Aware” are checked on the top of the Screen.
Step 2: Paint over the subject and the Tool will fill them in with information from the background. This doesn’t have to be perfect, after all, you will be applying a blur to the background. The main goal is to make sure the subject is not blurred with the background.
Step 3: After removing the subject from the Background, turn the duplicate layer into a Smart Object by right-clicking on the layer and going to “Convert To Smart Object”. With a Smart Object you can use Smart Filters, and when adding a blur of any kind, it is best to be done as a Smart Filter. Smart Filters can be changed at any time, making them more versatile and less destructive.
Step 4: It is time to add the blur to the Smart Object. The type of blur will change depending on the Motion of the photo. In this case, we use a simple “Left-to-Right” Motion Blur because the subject is moving horizontally across the image. If the subject in your photo is moving towards or away from the camera, choose a Path Blur and create paths in the direction of the movement.
Step 5: After applying a Motion Blur or Path Blur to the background, it is time to reveal the original subject. Lower the Opacity of the layer to about 80% and add a layer mask to the blurred Smart Object. Paint black on the Layer Mask over the original subject to reveal them through the Smart Object Layer. Take your time to create an accurate selection around the subject. After completing the layer mask, change the Smart Object layer Opacity to 100% and you are done!
Step 6: To change the amount of blur on the background, double click on the Blur Smart Filter, and adjust the blur amount. The Layer Mask will stay intact, revealing the subject and provide an instant preview of the Background blur with a still subject.
Watch the demonstration on how to add motion blur to image background
