zman
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Posts: 49 
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Post by zman on Dec 18, 2016 16:03:43 GMT
I'd like to improve the look of my snowflake images. Right now the background lighting is uniform and flat. I'd like to create a diagonal gradient using PSE 9 to have a dark corner and a lighter corner on my images. Also, having a diagonal gradient with different colors may be interesting. Problem is I just don't know how to do this. I would definitely appreciate any instruction and help. Thanks.  image host |
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Post by Sepiana on Dec 18, 2016 16:37:58 GMT
Hi zman,
Try this.
1. Create a new blank layer for your gradient.
2. In the Tools panel, select a dark color for the Foreground and a lighter one for the Background.
3. Activate the Gradient tool (G). Select "Linear Gradient" in the Tool Options bar.
4. Click on the left upper corner of your image and drag the gradient diagonally to the right bottom corner.
5. Change the blending mode of the gradient layer to, for example, Multiply, Overlay, etc. NOTE: Just experiment with different blending modes until you get the effect you want.
6. Reduce the Opacity if needed.
And here is some more information on using gradients.
Using Gradients in Photoshop Elements (Help file) Photoshop Elements - Gradients (Section 4 explains how to edit your gradient, add more colors, etc.)
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zman
New Forum Member
Posts: 49
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Post by zman on Dec 18, 2016 17:05:40 GMT
Hi Sepiana, This is what I get. How can I go from a dark to light gradient with a gradual change instead of that distinct line ? Thanks for your help.  |
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Post by Sepiana on Dec 18, 2016 18:44:47 GMT
That line should not be there. Do you mind explaining in detail what you did?
When you draw your gradient, you should have something like this.
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ken1
Junior Forum Member
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Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by ken1 on Dec 18, 2016 18:45:16 GMT
Referring to Sepiana's step #3:
Select linear gradient and Foreground to Background. To do that, click on the little arrow next to the rectangular box with the colors.
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Post by Sepiana on Dec 18, 2016 18:52:29 GMT
Referring to Sepiana's step #3: Select linear gradient and Foreground to Background. To do that, click on the little arrow next to the rectangular box with the colors.
Foreground to Background is the default setting. Elements will automatically pick up the colors you selected in Step 2 -- In the Tools panel, select a dark color for the Foreground and a lighter one for the Background. There is no need to select it unless you had previously used a different setting such as Foreground to Transparent.
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ken1
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 83
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by ken1 on Dec 18, 2016 19:10:31 GMT
That's the unknown which my reply refers to.
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Post by Sepiana on Dec 18, 2016 20:03:01 GMT
Hi Sepiana, This is what I get. How can I go from a dark to light gradient with a gradual change instead of that distinct line ? Thanks for your help.
zman,
I was able to replicate the gradient results you got -- not a gradient with a smooth transition from a dark color to a light one but a gradient with that line across. It looks like you applied an Angle gradient and not a Linear one. Try again but make sure to use a Linear gradient.
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Post by Tpgettys on Dec 18, 2016 22:28:31 GMT
I'd like to improve the look of my snowflake images. Right now the background lighting is uniform and flat. I'd like to create a diagonal gradient using PSE 9 to have a dark corner and a lighter corner on my images. Also, having a diagonal gradient with different colors may be interesting. Problem is I just don't know how to do this. I would definitely appreciate any instruction and help. Thanks. Hi zman , See if this is what you are after: add a gradient adjustment layer above your image. Select a gradient that you think will work for you (you can always go back and make a different choice; that's the beauty of adjustment layers!) change the blend mode of the adjustment layer to screen and lower the opacity to your liking.  |
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zman
New Forum Member
Posts: 49
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Post by zman on Dec 20, 2016 3:31:23 GMT
This is exactly what I wanted to achieve. Thank you all once again for sharing your time and expertise to help me out.  bbcode image |
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Post by Sepiana on Dec 20, 2016 3:40:34 GMT
zman, glad to hear you got the results you wanted. I knew you would!
BTW, I love the color combination you selected for your gradient. This would make a wonderful Christmas/Holiday card.
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Post by Tpgettys on Dec 20, 2016 4:42:36 GMT
This is exactly what I wanted to achieve. Thank you all once again for sharing your time and expertise to help me out. You are quite welcome zman ! As it turns out, as a result of your inquiry, I learned a few things myself! |
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alexr
Established Forum Member
Posts: 555
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by alexr on Dec 22, 2016 9:33:35 GMT
Zman, please can I ask how you managed to take those gorgeous snowflake images?
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zman
New Forum Member
Posts: 49
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Post by zman on Dec 22, 2016 14:28:56 GMT
Here is a pic of the set-up I use. I catch snowflakes on a pane of glass, look for a good specimen, and take the image. I learned of this technique from a fellow photographer on the PentaxForums.com website and this is the image he posted of his set-up. This is my first try using this arrangement and is still a work in progress. More images of his outstanding snowflakes can be seen on this link, www.flickr.com/photos/fwwidall/sets/72157603415282264/ upload image |
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alexr
Established Forum Member
Posts: 555
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by alexr on Dec 22, 2016 15:11:55 GMT
Zman, thanks for sharing the set up. Fascinating, and you've got some great results, please continue to share in the Gallery. We are still a long way from getting any snow here in SE England, but if we do get any I'd love to try something similar.
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