Using PSE to Create the Harris Shutter Effect

[Rockintes]

Hello Damien

I have downloaded and installed your Action called `Viewing Channels in Photoshop Elements' onto my Sony Laptop running PSE v21, This action appears to run flawlessly and  extracts the 3 colour channels from a selected RGB jpg image and displays them on separate Layers above the original Background image,. After running the Action my Layer Stack comprises: the original RGB jpg image on the Background Layer with three new layers above identified from the top down as `Red Channel', `Green Channel' and `Blue Channel'. All channel Layers are set to `Normal' therefore my resulting image is the top `Red Channel' as without changing Layer Mode I can't `see' beyond this layer, there is no Layer/Channel interaction.

Each `Channel' Layer appears to be a grayscale image but is listed in PSE's Image > Mode as RGB. I am trying to use these three `channels' to create the Harris Shutter effect by moving each of the three layers slightly so they overlap each other in a different way from the original, i.e. I move the top channel (Red) to the left a bit and the bottom channel (Green) a little to the right and was hoping that I would obtain various `random' colours where the images overlap and retatin and see their RG or B colour where they don't overlap but I dont get this behaviour. As I move one channel/layer it just reveals the next lower Layer in the stack.

I was hoping you, or another subscriber, might have some suggestions as to what I am doing wrong and what I might need to do to obtain the Harris Effect effect I am after. Perhaps something along the lines of changing channel Blend Modes, adding a plain background etc. All and any suggestions are welcome and thanks in anticipation.

Rockintes

[Damien Symonds]

I hope I can explain these steps clearly enough.

STEP 1

On the Red layer, press Ctrl L to open the Levels dialog.  Because it's the "Red" layer, we're going to leave the red channel untouched, and only adjust the green and blue channels.  So go to the green channel first, and drag the white Output slider all the way to the left:

Then go to Blue, and also drag that white Output slider all the way to the left.

This will result in the whole photo looking red and black.  Press OK.

Then change that layer's blend mode to "Screen".

STEP 2

Now go to the Green layer.  Again, press Ctrl L to open the Levels dialog.  This time we're leaving the green channel alone.  Move the white Output slider all the way to the left on both the red and blue channels.  Press OK, then change that layer to "Screen" blend mode as well.

STEP 3

Now go to the Blue layer and press Ctrl L.  Move the white Output slider on the red and green channels (and leave blue alone).  Press OK.  For this one, don't change the layer blend mode to Screen, but leave it on Normal.

STEP 4

Now you should be able to move the top two layers to create your effect.

Let me know how you go.

[Damien Symonds]

Have you had a chance to try it, @Rockintes?

[Rockintes]

Damien - Thank you so much for these very clear instructions and taking the time to reply so quickly.

I have been out all day so have not had a chance to try it yet but will do soon. I'll be sure to get back to your with the results.

Thanks again.

[Rockintes]

Damien

Thanks agian for you help with my query. I enjoy the challenge of recreating PS effects etc in PSE using various workarounds etc.

I have this afternoon had a go, using your Action and extra description, at recreating an example of the Harris Shutter effect in PSE.

Credit for this example goes to Michael Brig on YouTube as shown below. I tried to embed just the link but failed.

Michael used PS and created the three different colour channels using PS's `Blending Options' turning off the two unrequired channels per all three images used.

I did the following for my attempt:-

1. I open each image of the model separately in PSE and ra your Action to create the three Colour Layers/Channels

2. I followed you recent extra instructions and applied the Levels adjustment.

3. I did this three times, once foe each model image each time rejecting two channels before saving a R, G and Blue Channel ending up with a different colour channel image for the three models;

4. I bought these three images, each a different channel' into PSE and followed Michael's method, making a selection of each model and Masking it. I used my three  separate coloured channels in lieu of the PS `Blending Options' section of Michale's method;

5. I have uploaded screen shots of my result and layer Stack here.

My result is not too shabby but is different from Michael Brig's and other's versions. My colours are intense others are more muted. Where different colour channels overlap the effect I see is not as pronounced as that in Michael's but there is a noticable effect, just. I had to change the colour of the background Layer from White to Black because applying a `Screen' blend mode to any of the coloured Layer/Channels renders them invisible. I applied the Blend Modes to my three Model colour Layers /Channels from the top down as Screen, Screen, Normal.

Unless I am doing something wrong I am thinking that this particular effect is almost possible to replicate in PSE but not quite but is non the less pleasing. With some further experimentation with Blend Modes, Layer Opacity and Background colour etc it may be possible to improve it.

Damien thanks once more for your Action and help with this mini project, it is much appreciated.

I attach some screen shots of my Layer Stack, my PSE end result and Michael Brig's PS version.

Terry

 

 

[Damien Symonds]

This is very cool!!!!!