Robin Radzik Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 I am looking to create a Christmas card from my son's silhouette. I want it to have the same vibe as the silhouette nativity scenes. I do not have a particular picture from another photographer as I have not seen any done like this. Instead I have some inspiration links. I would like my night sky to be realistic though. I have done all of my RAW adjustments at this point. https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/christmas-night-silhouette-gm486996122-72667731 https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/three-wise-men-looking-for-baby-jesus-gm495931524-78277351 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien Symonds Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 I see that you found those links on istockphoto. Did you actually search there for some starry night sky photos that you could buy and use for this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Radzik Posted November 10, 2017 Author Share Posted November 10, 2017 I was able to find these two. There isn't a lot out there (or I am searching the wrong terms). Do you think either of these will work? https://www.etsy.com/listing/482391601/35-moon-and-stars-photo-overlays-night?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=starry night overlay&ref=sc_gallery_4&plkey=8a3e395f9d741540c62cf12a12ada40b7647bf09:482391601 https://www.etsy.com/listing/250602924/65-night-sky-photoshop-overlays-moon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien Symonds Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 Yeah, I reckon the second one looks very promising! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Radzik Posted November 10, 2017 Author Share Posted November 10, 2017 Should I just buy this and apply the overlay and then work with my levels and curves for the edit then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien Symonds Posted November 10, 2017 Share Posted November 10, 2017 Well, you're welcome to look for free ones, but they're always risky. For this low price, yes, I'd buy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Radzik Posted November 11, 2017 Author Share Posted November 11, 2017 I bought the second one and here is what I have so far. Am I way off? I feel like there is banding and I am not sure how to get rid of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien Symonds Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 Gee, that's unnecessarily dark, isn't it? Your son is pretty much lost from view because the sky is so dark. May I see the overlay file you used? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Radzik Posted November 11, 2017 Author Share Posted November 11, 2017 It is, but I am not sure how to lighten it up. Do I do an RGB level change on the whole image? Here is my photoshop file.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien Symonds Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 8 minutes ago, Damien Symonds said: May I see the overlay file you used? Can you post this file by itself, so I can see what the best approach might be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Radzik Posted November 11, 2017 Author Share Posted November 11, 2017 Here is the overlay file. I know that it is dark, but it is the only one that had the stars and sky the way I wanted it. Do I need to work on this file before applying it as an overlay to my picture? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien Symonds Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 How about this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Radzik Posted November 11, 2017 Author Share Posted November 11, 2017 Yes! That is the look! Did you add a gradient to the image? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien Symonds Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 No, on the mask. Hold on, I'll upload the file. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien Symonds Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 Download PSD I experimented with lots of blend modes before deciding that Linear Light looked best. https://www.damiensymonds.net/2011/06/sometimes-you-get-lucky.html The "Levels 1" layer isn't part of the edit, it's just the layer I used to check that I'd completely blackened the silhouette. The Pattern Fill Layer is some noise to prevent banding: https://www.damiensymonds.net/tut_noise.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Radzik Posted November 11, 2017 Author Share Posted November 11, 2017 Thank you so much! I will read these articles, work some more, and then show you what I come up with. I have never played with the linear light blend mode and the pattern fill layers, so it will be great to learn something new! Thanks for walking me through this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien Symonds Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 You're welcome. It's great fun, isn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Radzik Posted November 11, 2017 Author Share Posted November 11, 2017 It is! I like learning from you! After this I really need to dig into the RAW class more! You will see more from me there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien Symonds Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 That's wonderful. You won't regret it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Radzik Posted November 11, 2017 Author Share Posted November 11, 2017 When you added the linear light to the image and added the mask, did you just use the brush at different opacities? How did you get the different blues? I feel like I am missing a step.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Radzik Posted November 11, 2017 Author Share Posted November 11, 2017 Wait I think I got it! Adding a gradient to the mask, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien Symonds Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 Yes, using the gradient tool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Radzik Posted November 11, 2017 Author Share Posted November 11, 2017 I did it! Take aways....I never knew you could apply a gradient to a mask and I now have a noise pattern fill ready to go! I cannot thank you again enough for your help. Here is my final! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien Symonds Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 1 minute ago, Robin Radzik said: I did it! Take aways....I never knew you could apply a gradient to a mask Just you wait. In the Levels Class you'll learn amazing stuff with gradients and masks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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