Damien Symonds

The PNG thing is a big fat myth. You never need PNG for printing, don't worry. The first question is: "Do you have the rights to use this image?" Simply because you CAN download an image from the web and put it into Photoshop, doesn't mean you're ALLOWED to do so. Make sure you check on that. If you are satisfied that it's ok to use, then we turn our attention to the file itself. It's only 1103 pixels wide. If we assume that print resolution is 300ppi, then this image is only printable at 3.67 inches wide (ironically, that's barely bigger than an actual passport photo). I rather suspect you'd intended to print it larger than that. People will tell you, and they're right, that it's perfectly possible to enlarge a file beyond the rigid mathematical calculation that I made above. However, such enlargements are dependent on the quality of the file, and there we come to the second problem - this is a very damaged file. It has clearly been saved with very aggressive jpeg compression. So I'm not sure I'd even trust it to print nicely at 3.67 inches wide, let alone larger. So, I'd urge you to do one of the following: Contact the owner of the image, if it's possible to find them, and ask to purchase a higher-resolution version of it. Go to a reputable stock image site such as shutterstock.com or istockphoto.com and search for "world map". You'll find lots of amazing options to choose from, and not too expensive.

How did you go?

How did you go, Jodie?

How did they take it?

Where did you end up on this one?

No, the S5E is still the bee's knees. Go for it.

Unfortunately, even though it's a piece of cake in Photoshop, it's almost impossible in Elements. Therefore, please just send me the high-res file and I'll quickly do it for you. Did you create the design yourself? Or did someone else create it for you?

Right. It's very easy to save your own preset. I wrote about it here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/195567190503489/permalink/969328583127342/

No, gosh, don't do that. It's only $46 to get all the up-to-date info: https://www.damiensymonds.net/trainingraw-signup.html

How did you go?

Actually, you'll find that Frequency Separation is good for this. People try to use FS for all kinds of stupid stuff that it's not meant for, but this is where it prevails. Have you used it before? I don't have any resources on it, but a google search will give you plenty.

I remembered I had this about eyes: https://www.damiensymonds.net/fixing-crossed-eye.html Hope it might help a little.

No, just the rectangular marquee.

Oh crap, I forgot to say, I got those Levels values by using this method: https://www.damiensymonds.net/levels-eyedropper

After that, you'd start your normal Levels work.

Ok, this is what you're heading towards: First I did the eye. What I didn't expect was that I had to use two copies of it - one to replace the lower edge of the iris, and another to replace the pupil. You might decide that one or both of those steps aren't necessary; I personally didn't like how the catchlight cut through the pupil, you know? Then this Levels layer for the main flare across the chest and wrist: R 40/1.00/255 G 70/1.00/255 B 70/1.00/255 Mask it on as carefully as possible, but there will still be an arc at the edge, that will have to be cloned later: Then this Levels layer for the bit of flare on the throat: R 30/1.00/255 G 45/1.00/255 B 45/1.00/255 Again, mask on carefully, but again, there will be an edge: Then add a blank layer above all that, and gently clone those edges. By the end of the process, my Layers panel looked like this:

As I have no other choice, we'll press ahead as if this is good. I have to run and iron a shirt, I'll be back soon.

Hmmm ... I searched back, and couldn't find it.

Are you SURE this is the SOOR you want to work with?

Oh dear. Come on mate, this is awful. Really really awful. You've clearly forgotten everything. https://www.damiensymonds.net/trainingraw-signup.html

No, the SOOR please. Raw work done, but no PS work yet.

Well, may I have the SOOR of your photo?

No, sorry, you messed up You'll need to start again, and do it properly

Oh dear, that doesn't sound good. May I see a screenshot of your layers panel?

Hi Sean, I don't know what you think "matte" is, but this is definitely NOT matte. It uses the full tonal range (the blacks are black) and if anything, the skin is shiny, not matted. All I see is a slightly over-warmed photo. Is that what you're referring to as well?