Creative Wedding Album Design - WordPress.com

129 Pages·2009·5.59 MB·English

by  Mark Chen

Creative
Wedding Album Design
Adobe Photoshop
with ® ®
Step-by-Step Techniques
for Professional
Digital Photographers
Mark Chen
Amherst Media
®
PUBLISHEROFPHOTOGRAPHYBOOKS

Dedication
ToOliveandMarcia,myunrelentingsupporters.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Janice Geddes, Shauna Couri, Krista Kaulfus, Steve Snyder, Dragos Dorobantu, Angula Malone, Ronald Johnson, Trung
Huynh,GrahamFeld,ChristyNewman,DebbieMedrano,ErikXydis,KaraHueni,MatthewCrawford,RosieIsrael,SonnyPreston,Ter-
rhanDial,ClaytonCarnes,KameKhadivian,andGigiArendt,whophotographednumerousweddingswith/forme.Youaremyteam-
mates.Highfivestoallofyou.
ThankstoLauraJavier.Youareanapprenticewhoinspires.
ThankstoallmyPhotoshopstudents.Someofyoureyestwinklewithenlightenment;someofyourquestionsmakemelookgood
orbad;someofyoufallunconscious,whichpromptsmetomakefunnierjokes.Allofyoumakemeabetterteacher.
Viewthecompanionblogtothisbookat: http://weddingalbumdesign-chen.blogspot.com/
CheckoutAmherstMedia’sotherblogsat: http://portrait-photographer.blogspot.com/
http://weddingphotographer-amherstmedia.blogspot.com/
Copyright©2010byMarkChen.
Allrightsreserved.
Allphotographsbytheauthorunlessotherwisenoted.
Publishedby:
AmherstMedia,Inc.
P.O.Box586
Buffalo,N.Y.14226
Fax:[phone]
www.AmherstMedia.com
Publisher:CraigAlesse
SeniorEditor/ProductionManager:MichellePerkins
AssistantEditor:BarbaraA.Lynch-Johnt
EditorialAssistancefrom:SallyJarzab,JohnS.Loder,CareyAnneMaines
ISBN-13:978-1-58428-261-7
LibraryofCongressControlNumber:2009903889
PrintedinKorea.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,stored,ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronic,mechani-
cal,photocopied,recordedorotherwise,withoutpriorwrittenconsentfromthepublisher.
Notice of Disclaimer: The information contained in this book is based on the author’s experience and opinions. The au-
thorandpublisherwillnotbeheldliablefortheuseormisuseoftheinformationinthisbook.
Table of Contents
AbouttheAuthor ..........................................7
Preface ..................................................8
Introduction
ThingsYouShouldKnowWhileUsingthisBook ...................9
.........10
WhattheWiseManSays1:UsetheCoverPageasanAppetizer
PROJECT 1: A Glimpse Into a Dream ......................11
COMPLEXITYLEVEL:Low
TECHNIQUESINVOLVED:AdjustmentLayers,LayerMasks,CreativeTypeEffects
PreparetheCanvas ........................................11
TheGlow ...............................................11
............12
WhattheWiseManSays2:MeettheNewBugsontheBlock
WhattheWiseManSays3:RegrettableProceduresvs.
..................................16
NondestructiveProcedures
TheVignette .............................................16
....17
WhattheWiseManSays4:ChangesintheAdjustmentLayerInterface
TheTitles ...............................................18
TextGlow ...............................................19
TheResults ..............................................19
PROJECT 2: A Cosmic Journey ............................20
COMPLEXITYLEVEL:High
TECHNIQUESINVOLVED:Selections/LayerMasks,Channel-SelectionConversion,Trans-
form/Warp,FilterEffects,AdjustmentLayers
TABLEOFCONTENTS3
.......20
WhattheWiseManSays5:YouandYourClientasaCreativeTeam
PreparetheCanvas ........................................21
TheGalacticHands ........................................22
................25
WhattheWiseManSays6:Selectionsvs.LayerMasks
TheNinthPlanetReinstated .................................25
......................27
WhattheWiseManSays7:TheFuzzyReality
CometJellyBeans .........................................29
............30
WhattheWiseManSays8:TheMagnificentMagneticLasso
TheNSatellite ...........................................32
TheCaricatureGemini .....................................34
.................35
WhattheWiseManSays9:BrushesAreYourFriends
TheResults ..............................................36
PROJECT 3: The Making of a Bride .......................37
COMPLEXITYLEVEL:Low
TECHNIQUESINVOLVED:Soft-BrushTechnique,LayerMasking
.............37
WhattheWiseManSays10:TheImportanceofBeingReal
PreparetheCanvas ........................................39
TheMainAttraction .......................................39
InteractionsandAccessories ..................................43
TheResults ..............................................45
PROJECT 4: The Architectural Wonder ....................46
COMPLEXITYLEVEL:Medium
TECHNIQUESINVOLVED:Selection,LayerMasking,LayerBlendingModes,Adjusting
BrightnesswithLevels,ColorCorrectionwithLevels
..........46
WhattheWiseManSays11:ThePsychologyofAlbum-Making
PreparetheCanvas ........................................48
SetUptheStonyBackdrop ..................................48
HereComestheBride ......................................49
FrametheBride ...........................................49
WhattheWiseManSays12:LayerBlendingModes
.......................................52
areFullofSurprises
MakeitaMural ...........................................52
TweakforPerfection .......................................52
.....55
WhattheWiseManSays13:ProfilingtheBrightnesswithHistograms
..............57
WhattheWiseManSays14:ColorsAnalyzedonaWheel
4CREATIVEWEDDINGALBUMDESIGNWITHADOBE®PHOTOSHOP®
TheResults ..............................................59
AFinalNote .............................................59
PROJECT 5: A Thumbelina Montage ......................60
COMPLEXITYLEVEL:High
TECHNIQUESINVOLVED:PreproductionPlanning,Selection/LayerMaskingSkills,
CloningandColorAdjustmentUsingAdjustmentLayers
ThePreproductionPlanningandExecution......................61
................62
WhattheWiseManSays15:GarbageIn,GarbageOut
PreparetheCanvas ........................................62
TheCandlelitBackdrop .....................................62
BringintheThumbelinas ...................................62
SelecttheThumbelinas .....................................63
..........63
WhattheWiseManSays16:AlwaysKeepMoreThanYouNeed
RefinetheSelections .......................................66
MasktheHair ............................................70
ShrinktheThumbelinas .....................................72
WhattheWiseManSays17:UsingtheHistogram
...............................73
asaGaugetoAdjustanImage
PutThemUndertheCandleGlow ............................75
WhattheWiseManSays18:HowWeSeeColors
...................................75
ThroughBlackandWhite
WhatisOnTopShouldBeOnTop ............................77
LetThereBeDarkness .....................................78
.....................79
WhattheWiseManSays19:WhatisaShadow?
TheResults ..............................................80
PROJECT 6: An Imaginary Space .........................82
COMPLEXITYLEVEL:High
TECHNIQUESINVOLVED:Three-DimensionalVisualization,LayerBlendingModes,
LayerMasking,AdjustmentLayers
TheImages ..............................................83
BringintheStairs .........................................83
PreparetheCanvas ........................................83
ExtendtheStaircase .......................................84
ProjecttheMuralstotheWalls ...............................87
SoftDropouts ............................................89
TABLEOFCONTENTS5
AddTexture .............................................90
CreatetheAdditionalMurals .................................91
TheResults ..............................................91
PROJECT 7: Faces on a Cake .............................92
COMPLEXITYLEVEL:Medium
TECHNIQUESINVOLVED:Three-DimensionalVisualization,LayerBlendingModes,Layer
Masking,SofteningEffectUsingSmartFilters
BringtheCakeOutoftheOven ..............................93
PreparetheCanvas ........................................93
TheManyFacesofaCake ...................................93
SoftDropout .............................................94
TheIcingontheCake ......................................95
AddingMoreFaces ........................................96
ASoftCakeisaGoodCake ..................................97
TheResults ..............................................98
PROJECT 8: Emotions in Motion ..........................99
COMPLEXITYLEVEL:High
TECHNIQUESINVOLVED:Soft-BrushTechnique,MotionBlurEffect,LiquifyFilter,
SepiaToning,Selection/LayerMaskingTechnique
TheImages .............................................100
PreparetheCanvas .......................................100
ShallWeDance? .........................................100
.............101
WhattheWiseManSays20:ASoftBrushisaGoodBrush
MakeThemFlow ........................................102
......104
WhattheWiseManSays21:PhotoshopUsersMustn’tBeCheapies
ConverttoSepiaTone .....................................106
..............106
WhattheWiseManSays22:TheMoretheMerrier?Not!
AndNow,ItisMyPleasuretoIntroduceMr.andMrs.... .........107
RefinetheSelections ......................................108
MasktheHair ...........................................108
WhattheWiseManSays23:LayerMask:TheMasterof
......................................109
ShowingandHiding
KeeptheFeetontheGround ...............................110
TheResults .............................................111
6CREATIVEWEDDINGALBUMDESIGNWITHADOBE®PHOTOSHOP®
PROJECT 9: Light and Shadow ..........................112
COMPLEXITYLEVEL:Low
TECHNIQUESINVOLVED:AdjustmentLayers,LayerMasks,CreativeTyping,
PreparetheCanvas .......................................112
BringintheImages .......................................113
SettheStagefortheTitle ..................................113
AddtheTitle ............................................116
TheResults .............................................117
PROJECT 10: Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall ................118
COMPLEXITYLEVEL:Medium
TECHNIQUESINVOLVED:Soft-BrushTechnique,LayerMasks,LayerBlendingModes
PreparetheCanvas .......................................119
ExpandtheWall .........................................119
HowaBridewasMade ....................................121
TheResults .............................................124
Conclusion .............................................125
Index .................................................126
About the Author
Mark Chen is a photographer, Adobe Certified Photoshop Expert/Instructor, Photoshop
trainer,andtheownerofMarkChenPhotographybasedinHouston,Texas.
EL. Chen’spassionforphotographystartedearly,asateenagerinhisnativeTaiwan.Apur-
A
R
S suerofphotographicartistryandabelieverinimagingtechnology,Chenembraceddigi-
I
E
OSI tal photography with great enthusiasm. His computer science degree helped him feel at
R
Y home with digital postproduction. Combining creativity, solid techniques, and a think-
B
PH outside-the-boxattitude,Chenhasestablishedhimselfasacreativeweddingphotographer
A
GR whosealbumdesignsaresoughtafterbyclientswithdiscerningtastes.
O
OT In addition to his studio operations, Chen teaches Photoshop at Houston Baptist Uni-
H
P versityandHoustonCommunityCollegeandistouringthenationgivingPhotoshoptrain-
ingsessions.Thisteachingexperiencewasanimportantfactorinmakingthisbookeasytofollow.
Look for information on Mark Chen’s workshops and future books about Photoshop and photography, as well as his
artisticendeavorsthatpushthelimitofwhatpixelscanshowus,atwww.MarkChenPhotography.com.
TABLEOFCONTENTS7
Preface
I
f you were getting married a century ago, the only
Readersareencouragedtofollowalongusingpracticefiles
photosyoucouldgetwouldbeshotinastudio.They thatcanbedownloadedfromAmherstMedia’swebsite,at
wouldprobablyhavebeentakenonalargeviewcamera. www.AmherstMedia.com/downloads.htm.
Youandyourguestswouldappearstiffbecausetheshut- ness in image manipulation, is a dream come true for
ter had to stay open for a while, so the photographer graphicartists.
neededeveryonetostaystill.Consumercameras,likethe Inthisbook,IwanttoshowyouhowPhotoshopcan
Kodak Brownie, were there, but they were no competi- beusedincreatingweddingalbumpages.Theemphasis
tion for the professional’s equipment. If you were a stu- iscreativity.UnlikemanyPhotoshopbooksinthemarket
dioownerbackthen,thebusinesswouldhavebeenvery that emphasize techniques, teaching Photoshop as if it
secure,wouldn’tit? wereMicrosoftOffice,thisbookwillhelpyoulearntech-
As technology advanced, consumer cameras became niqueasawaytocreateapieceofart.Tenprojectsofdif-
easier to use and produced increasingly high-quality im- ferent levels of complexity, encompassing different skill
ages.Soon,thebride’sUncleBobstartedtowalkupand sets,aredemonstratedingreatdetail.
down the aisle, providing free, amateur photographic These projects are album pages that can go into so-
services. Uncle Bob might have done a good job, or he called“flushmount”albums—thatis,albumsthatdonot
mighthavelostalltheshots—eitherway,businessbecame use mattes. These book-like albums, sometimes referred
harder for the studios. Should I move on to the digital to as magazine-style albums, have a photo covering the
era, when you see two-dozen wedding guests photo- entirety of each page. Whereas some projects are for the
graphingwithmegapixelstotallingintheneighborhood albumcovers,theyaremostlycross-page,split-panoramic
of300?Thegoodolddaysaregone. pagedesigns.
Here is how a studio can survive in the digital era: it The purpose of this book is to inspire you with cre-
needs to do what the consumer can’t do. That means a ativity and to enable you with techniques. Photoshop
studio needs to have great artistry and technique. The CS4isusedinthedemonstrations,butmostofthetech-
digitaltechnologymayhavegreatlyexpandedthedomain niques introduced are version-independent, so you can
ofconsumerphotography(alsoknownbyanevenscarier followalongevenifyouareonadifferentversion.While
term: “pro-sumer” photography), but it has also broad- thebooktitlesuggeststhatthisisaguideforprofession-
ened the possibilities for professional artists. Among the als in the trade, Photoshop users in other fields will find
newpossibilities,Iwouldliketotalkaboutthecreativity thecreativityandtechniquesuniversal.
that happens after the shutter is clicked: the process Turning my Houston-based business, Mark Chen
knownaspostproduction. Photography(www.MarkChenPhotography.com),intoa
Fornearlytwentyyears,Photoshophasdominatedthe graphic-design powerhouse is my strategy for success in
market as the industry’s standard for digital-image post- the 21st century. It could be yours, too. This book will
production.Thissophisticatedprogram,withitsrobust- showyouwhatittakes.
8CREATIVEWEDDINGALBUMDESIGNWITHADOBE®PHOTOSHOP®
Introduction
Things You Should Know While Using this Book
Instructions
Thetextinthisbookisdividedintotwokinds:explanationsandinstructions.
Theyaremarkedwithdifferenttypefaces,asyoucanseehere:
Theseareexplanations;readonandthink.
Theseareinstructions;followthesestepsonyourcomputer.
Collagesvs.Montages
Theworksinthisbookarereferredtoaseithercollagesormontages.While
bothindicateacompositeofseveralimages,Irefertoamontagewhentheat-
tempt is to create an illusion that these images actually belong to the same
imaginary space. The term “collage,” on the other hand, does not have this
implication.
PCvs.Mac
Photoshop users today seem to be equally content on both platforms.
WhereasMachasalongerhistoryandstrongfootholdinthecreativeindus-
tries, PCs are practical machines that handle a variety of tasks. The Mac and
There are more than eight-
PCcommercialsfromApplemightbebiased,buttheyareratherprecisepor-
hundred shortcuts in Photoshop.
traitsofthetwo:theformerismorefunandthelatterismorepractical.Iam
a Mac user, so the screen shots in this book look Mac. It should not be a
problemforPCuserstoignoretheminordifferences.
PhotoshopVersions
While the techniques usedinthis book aremostly version-independent,dif-
ferences between CS4, CS3, and the earlier versions of Photoshop are de-
scribed in detail. If certain interfaces are significantly different in CS4, the
CS4interfacesarepresentedhere.
Shortcuts
There are more than eight-hundred shortcuts in Photoshop. My memory,
duetoitslimitedexpandability,can’trememberatenthofthem.Butthereis
goodnewsforpeoplesufferingthesamesmallRAMsyndrome—youdonot
INTRODUCTION9