MemeSue
New Forum Member
Posts: 7 
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by MemeSue on Jun 2, 2015 20:13:03 GMT
Well I am gong to jump in here and hope for the best. Forums are new to me, so please forgive me for a few mess-ups as I learn.
I have a question on editing a photo. I did my selection around the people in the photo, and then did a diffuse glow for the background. After deselecting, I noticed that a couple of parts in the hair area still needed some smoothing, so I thought the next thing to do is add a layer mask, and make my adjustments that way, but it didn't work! What did I do wrong? Is there a step I forgot about?
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Post by Sepiana on Jun 2, 2015 20:52:39 GMT
Hi MemeSue, welcome to PSE&M!
Without seeing your image, I have to go out on a limb here. From the way you describe -- "a couple of parts in the hair area still needed some smoothing" -- it looks like some fine-tuning of the selection edges is needed. This can be accomplished with the Refine Edge command. Which version of Elements are you using? Starting with Elements 11, Adobe introduced a new Refine Edge command, which was brought over from Photoshop. This new version makes it much easier to get complicated and fine details in your selection (hair, fur, etc.). Also, the Output section in the Refine Edge dialog gives you the choice of having your selection on its own layer with a mask added to it -- "New Layer with Layer Mask".
It would help if you posted a screen shot of your file, including the layer stack. |
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Post by Sepiana on Jun 2, 2015 22:49:42 GMT
Just adding some clarification.
The steps of placing your selection on its own layer and then adding a layer mask (Add a Mask button) are unnecessary when you use the Refine Edge feature in Elements 11 and above. In the Output section of the dialog box you have different ways to choose how your selection should be sent back to the Editor. One of the options is "New Layer with Layer Mask". You will get a duplicate layer which includes a layer mask based on your selection.
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MemeSue
New Forum Member
Posts: 7
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by MemeSue on Jun 5, 2015 1:04:01 GMT
Just adding some clarification.
The steps of placing your selection on its own layer and then adding a layer mask (Add a Mask button) are unnecessary when you use the Refine Edge feature in Elements 11 and above. In the Output section of the dialog box you have different ways to choose how your selection should be sent back to the Editor. One of the options is "New Layer with Layer Mask". You will get a duplicate layer which includes a layer mask based on your selection.
OH the screen shot you have here, how cool, that I can click on it and view it larger! Woo hoo! That being said, i didn't use the refine tool at the time. Your screen shot here on the right is what I had, but my layer mask was white.. Anyway, when I used my brush tool on the picture, (layer mask was active) I would brush away, but it would show the transparency behind the picture. I did figure out another way, to fix it though. Working with masks, it tough! |
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Post by Sepiana on Jun 5, 2015 1:28:14 GMT
i didn't use the refine tool at the time.
I believe that not using Refine Edge explains why this happened -- "a couple of parts in the hair area still needed some smoothing".
The key to the success of your project is to start with a clean and well-defined selection. However, just making a selection is not enough. You need to fine-tune it. That’s where the Refine Edge command comes into play. It will allow you to remove the jagged edges around your selection, soften the edges, and adjust the size of the selection.
See if this tutorial will help.
download.photoshopelementsuser.com/LC/LearningCenter11/LC11-RefineEdge.mov
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Bayla
Established Forum Member
Posts: 555
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Post by Bayla on Jun 5, 2015 8:39:53 GMT
Sepiana,
That was one useful video. I see I'm gonna have to upgrade from PSE9!
Bayla
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Post by Sepiana on Jun 9, 2015 23:31:55 GMT
Bayla,
This new Refine Edge was one of the best changes Adobe made in Elements. The other two? No need to install actions and layer styles, delete the MediaDatabase file, etc., etc. Just load them when the need arises. Priceless!
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Bayla
Established Forum Member
Posts: 555
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Post by Bayla on Jun 10, 2015 0:16:46 GMT
And the price has just come down again on Amazon......soooo tempting!
Bayla
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Post by Sepiana on Jun 10, 2015 0:21:50 GMT
I believe there will be many more promotion sales of Elements 13 coming up. If Adobe sticks to its schedule, Elements 14 should be released sometime in mid-September (week of September 20?).
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Post by Andy on May 27, 2017 11:08:52 GMT
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