Babeled

With terrible weather and not much to do I turn my attention to Photoshop. I just put on some music, fire up the laptop, and hit up my favorite tutorial sites. Below is the end result of today’s session.

If you are interested in producing designs like these, check out the tutorials I used below.

Surprise behind the curtain in Photoshop from Abduzeedo - Abducted by Design | Design Inspiration and Tutorials.

These guys are very good at what they do and have a great website complete with outstanding Photoshop and Illustrator tutorials! Their content covers how-to’s, design trends, photo rendering, graphic design, and beautiful web design implementation from websites around the Internet.

Photoshop Tutorial: Reflective Metallic Text from One Fused Life.

…and here is the merger of both techniques.

Popularity: 8% [?]

In this tutorial we are going to examine one technique for creating smoke effects with Photoshop.  For this exercise I am using CS3, however earlier versions of Photoshop will be able to perform the steps necessary for creating an excellent smoke effect.  This Photoshop tutorial will cover the usage of various Filters and Tools.  A basic knowledge of creating new layers, applying gradients, using the Polygonal Lasso Tool, Dodge Tool, Wave Filter and Liquify Filter will help you in this tutorial.

…and begin

Step 1

First create a new file.  I am using an image size of 500 x 200.  You may want to work on a larger palette since it is easy to reduce the image size later without sacrificing quality.

Add a new layer and start with a dark background that way your smoke will have a far more noticeable appearance.  I have chosen to use a gradient of deep purple (#1B041A) to black (#000000).

Step 2

Add a new layer so we can make a shape with the Polygonal Lasso Tool.  In this step, it is only important to create a shape that will be roughly similar to your desired form for your smoke.  Draw your lines with the Polygonal Lasso Tool and be sure to enclose the entire shape you come up with.

Next apply a light color gradient to the shape, I am using light orange (#F8D3C1) to orange (#BA4207).

Step 3

Select the Dodge Tool, and you can use the following settings as a starting point: Brush: 35px, Range: Highlights, and Exposure at 50%.

With this selection, use the Dodge Tool in the corners of your shape, or anywhere in the shape for that matter, as it will add some color depth to the smoke effect when we are all finished up.  You may also want to try using the Burn Tool in this step as well.  I encourage you to play around with Brush Size, Range, and Exposure settings as you try to find your right mix.  The great part of using Photoshop is adding your own touch and interpretation to your work!

Now for the fun part… Where the smoke really begins to take shape.

Step 4

Go to Filter –> Liquify.  The execution of this step’s technique is really up to you.  I set my Brush Size to 103px, Brush Density to 50, and the Brush Pressure to 100.  Then I just moved the brush about my shape in a steady sweeping motion; blending and moving my soon-to-be smoke into a pattern I found suitable.  Go nuts and try different stroke techniques.  If you are not satisfied with your result you can always undo and try again.  Experimentation is the key to success.

Step 5

Next, select Filter –> Distort –> Wave.  I set my Number of Generators to 5, a Wavelength Min of 10 and Max of 120, and an Amplitude Min of 5 and Max of 35.  Set the Scale to 100% on both the Vertical and Horizontal.  You will notice a preview pane on the right, click on Randomize as many times as necessary until you find a preferred shape, then click OK.

Step 6

Go to Edit –> Fade Wave and set the Opacity to 50%.

Optional Steps

Depending on the smoke effect you are trying to achieve, you may want to add another level of smoke by duplicating all of the steps in this Photoshop tutorial.  You may want to change the shape and colors used to create a more layered effect that will add realism to your smoke.  This is exactly what I did for the header that you see on this blog.

I think we are done here.

Congratulations, you’re finished!  As is always the case with Photoshop there are so many ways to reach your intended goal.  This is the way I go about creating a smoke effect with Photoshop, and I would love to hear some different techniques that you might be using.

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Yesterday I came across an intriguing website that may be of great interest to talented graphic designers out there - especially those who would like to earn some serious money for their competitive freelance work.  99 Designs, is a virtual sandbox where graphic designers can submit entries based upon the set requirements of various companies and websites who have opened up contests focused on their specific design needs.

Currently, there is a telco start-up named Destiny that is holding a contest for a logo design that will be used for branding, letter heads, business cards and stationary.  The cash reward for the chosen design is $5,000!

The 99 Designs concept is simple, it affords businesses the luxury of crowdsourcing their design needs to eager and talented graphic artists.  I spent a good hour browsing hundreds of individual submissions and I am very impressed by the talent.  For me, a hack graphic designer at best, it was a humbling experience, but if you think you have the chops, 99 designs could turn into your personal cash cow.

Popularity: 20% [?]

Caution: Irresponsible Babeler embarks on a new hobby.

As my addiction to the Internet worsens by the week, I am continuously overexposed to new and exciting things (thanks StumbleUpon). Compliments of said addiction, HDR photography (check out the link as there are some fantastic shots) has been brought into my world. The rich color and psychedelic detail immediately piqued my interest and I did my best Kung Fu Google routine to find out more. Hoping I could just invoke a little Photoshop magic upon pictures I already possess; I quickly learned I need a digital camera capable of taking manual exposures if I was going to produce such vivid imagery.

Two weeks later I have my very own Canon Rebel SLR (Single Lens Reflex) digital camera, compliments of my friend and colleague A.J. Ford. Mind you, the last time I owned a camera I was but six years old and it was nothing more than a Kodak toy with flash bulbs that blew out after one shot. However, since I have a tendency to dive head first into swimming pools with no water, here I sit with a slightly used professional camera in tow. This all sounds great except for the minor detail that I have no idea what the hell I am doing.

Fortunately for me this is how all of my interests start. I see something that triggers a switch in my ADD afflicted skull and my curiosity compels me to research, experiment, absorb and produce. I sit and pontificate with Wayne Campbell like zeal, “It will be mine, oh yes it will be mine.” One year ago I knew nothing of Photoshop, now I am semi-capable with the software. I am hoping to combine the power of The Shop, with the pictures I take with my shiny new camera. During this misguided and most certainly haphazard adventure, I will share some photos that will more than likely range from god-awful to barely acceptable for a 4th grader. But as long as I am having fun who cares, right?

Pictured above is my first victim, Angie. She is a wise-crackin African Grey that makes for one hell of a cool pet. I figured she would make a great test subject since she holds quite still when I have the camera out. These birds are tremendously smart and inquisitive and it is quite remarkable to watch how suspicious she while staring down the barrel of my new SLR. Sure the picture is nothing special, but it took me quite some time to actually produce a clear shot. It is my first and I thought I should share.

Update: In between Smash Bros. sessions, I dedicated part of my Saturday to taking more pictures. While I did shoot some stuff out in nature, it was another picture of Angie that took home my personal top prize. This one definitely looks better than the shot pictured above. Hey, I’ll take the improvement.

The aperture was set to f/5.6 with a shutter speed of 1/2500 and an ISO of 400.

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Everyone needs a good hobby; a real world detour to occupy our idle time and ease our corporate pain. So, over the past year I have been trying my best to tackle the software behemoth that is Photoshop. It has been a slow process, met with varying degrees of success and failure. Fortunately, the Internet and its vast resources has aided me in my quest.

Growing up as an art student I was always fascinated by outer space. I remember countless hours of star gazing, notating the night sky in a little brown book my grandfather had given me, just wondering what lies beyond. For a while this became a dominant theme in my artwork. Naturally, I wanted tap into my roots and transition that passion into the digital realm.

About a month ago, while scouting for new inspiration, I came across an awesome website. Complete with jaw-dropping visuals and outstanding Photoshop tutorials to help burgeoning graphic artists hone their technique. For a novice like me, it was a sobering realization that I still have a long way to go. But I think I am up for the challenge!

The website, Solar Voyager is incredible to look through - even for someone with no interest in engaging in graphic art. I recommend anyone who appreciates the wonder of space flip through the galleries on this site and check out some of the remarkable depictions. Some images are so detailed and precise, you would swear they were pictures captured by the Hubble Telescope.

Enjoy.

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