PCPhoto
Top Photoshop TechniquesImprove your image-editing skills with these typical adjustments for popular subjects |
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Page 3 of 5  What’s important when practicing this technique is not to overdo it. Our eyes are accustomed to seeing faces with imperfections, and while Photoshop makes it easy to eliminate them, our minds immediately recognize the results as being unnatural. So be conservative in its application unless you desire that unusual look.1. After opening an image, duplicate the layer (Layer > Duplicate Layer). You’ll be applying the filter and adjusting the effect on this new layer, leaving the original untouched. 2. Apply the Gaussian Blur filter to the new layer (Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur). A control window opens, displaying a preview window and an adjustment for the radius. Increase the radius setting to between 35 and 50 pixels. If the preview box is checked, you’ll see your picture blur severely, but don’t worry. We’re not done yet. Click OK and the filter effect will be applied. 3. At the bottom of the Layers palette, click on the Add Layer Mask button and go to the fill command (Edit > Fill). Under Contents, in the Use drop-down menu, select Color, pick pure black and click OK. This will fill the mask with black, blocking the effect of the Gaussian Blur. 4. Go to the toolbar and click on the Default Color setting. This will set your foreground color to white and your background color to black. You’ll now selectively paint the blur effect to the layer using the Brush tool.   |
