Last year was tough. This year will bring us all new challenges, changes, and experiences that connect us and enhance our lives. My best wishes to you and may 2010 be special for you and your loved ones.

Cottonwood trees in the north valley of Albuquerque are spectacular in their Fall colors.

I love the fact that I can carry a camera and editing software in my pocket – literally.

In the course of my daily ‘travels’ – walking, driving, riding – I can capture what grabs my eye in a veritable heartbeat!

I admit that what may ‘grab my eye’ may not be the same or even similar for most people. However, it gives me great satisfaction that I can snap that image, instantly transform it into something creative [to me], and share it online – within say…10 minutes (or less depending on complexity).

Using my iPhone and the PS mobile app on any particular day, here’s what I see…(the original photo is at the end).

bapadilla.photoshop.com

‘Are You In?
As I watched the graphics unfold artistically to the music I wondered, “what and who is this for?”

It’s not original. Like all art, it’s a combination of taking some inspiration from the past, mixing it with the now, and putting it out there for someone in the future to see and perhaps use it another creation.

I appreciate the thoughtfulness and the simplicity of the visuals harmonizing with a well written soundtrack. It evokes the call of an earlier age when anything was possible, we all felt we had a stake in how things would change in our country and in our world, and that we could do it together.

Hmmm. Seems like this very moment in our history. Warm, fuzzy, gooey, and full of possibility.

Bullseye and kudos.

In part two of this three part tutorial you’ll continue to create a cover design in Photoshop by using a combination of layer masks, blending modes, layer styles and adjustment layers by compositing only four images.

ADD THE THIRD IMAGE (row of people)

- use the quick selection tool to remove the background and add another ‘girl’ on the right side of the image as shown below

ADD A LAYER MASK
� use the brush tool to paint in opacity (set the foreground color to white)
(tip: experiment using the brush and eraser opacity to create different effects)

ADD AN OUTER GLOW LAYER STYLE
(tip: remember these settings, you will use them again later)

Use the following settings:
� Blend Mode = Screen
� Opacity = 75%
� Noise = 0%
� Color: C=2 M=0 Y=31 K=0
� Technique = softer
� Spread = 4%
� Size 29 px
� Range = 50%
� Jitter = 0%

� set the Layer Blending mode: Multiply
� 0pacity = 69%

Image with all the layer styles applied

ADD LAYER AND PLACE ANOTHER COPY OF THE THIRD IMAGE
� sIze and position the image as shown

ADD A NEW STROKE LAYER
Use the following settings:
� Size: 18 px
� Position: outside
� Blend mode: Normal
� Opacity = 70%
� Color: C=40 M=0 Y=81 K=0

ADD AN OUTER GLOW (use the same settings at the top)

ADD TYPE
Select the Type tool and use the following settings:
� Font: Bickham Script Pro Regular
� Size: 72 point
� Color: white

Add a Drop Shadow with the following settings:
� Blend Mode: Multiply
� Opacity = 24%
� Angle: 120
� Distance: 15 px
� Spread: 0
� Size: 5 px
Leave all other settings as default

ADD PATTERN
� Select Gauze
� Click Custom Pattern
� File > Fill with pattern
� Select All
� Add a new layer

ADD A LAYER MASK
(cut out the pattern from the area of light in the doorway)

� use the Rectangular Marquee Tool to select the door opening
� Fill the selection with black
(tip: set opacity so you can see through)

The layer looks like this

CHANGE THE LAYER BLENDING MODE
� Overlay
� Opacity: 36%

This is a close up of the applied pattern

In part three you’ll continue to build the cover design by focusing on the central image of the individual person graphic.

In this three part tutorial you’ll see how easy it is to create a complicated looking cover design using four images and simple techniques.

You’ll learn how to composite images in Photoshop using blending modes, layer styles, layer masks and adjustment layers to enhance the ‘mood’ of the design. If you use a wacom tablet you can experiment with brush pressure and opacity.

Click on the image to view it large.

These are the four images used in this design � 3 vector and 1 photo.

image one: doubleDoor

image two: numbers

image three: people

image four: screw

In part one of this tutorial, you’ll create a new document in Photoshop, add the two main images that make up the foundation of the design and apply various effects to each one.

PART ONE: CREATING THE FILE & LAYING THE FOUNDATION

� Launch Photoshop

� Create a new document: File>New

� Name: HopeCoverDesign

� Image size: 5.377″ W x 7.813″ H

� Resolution: 300 pixels/inch

� Color Mode: CMYK 8 bit

� Background Contents: White

� Click OK

PLACE THE VECTOR FILE IN PHOTOSHOP AS A SMART OBJECT

� File > Place > Browse (locate the doubleDoorImage’ file)

� Click Place

� In the new window, click OK

� Double click on the image to commit. (bounding box will disappear)

This is what the Smart Object icon looks like in the Layers panel

CREATE A NEW LAYER STYLE

� Click the ‘Add A Layer Style’ icon at the bottom of the Layers panel, or double click on the layer to open the Layer Style window

� Select Color Overlay

� Blend Mode: Soft Light

� Color: C=74, M=66, Y=67, K=83

� Opacity: 100%

CREATE A SECOND LAYER STYLE

� Select: Gradient Overlay

� Opacity: 100%

� Gradient: (set as follows)

click the triangle for the drop down options

� Select Noise Samples

� click Append

The new gradient has been added as the last gradient in the window. It is called ‘Transparent Pastels’

� Select the gradient (click on the new one created)

� Click OK

Continue with the rest of the settings for the layer style�

� Style: Linear, Align with Layer

� Scale: 145%

Final settings for the layer style

This is what the image looks like after the effects have been applied.

ADD THE SECOND IMAGE (numbers)

The ‘numbers’ image will be used two times in the composition.

Place the ‘numbers’ image in the doorway using the following settings:

� Scale: 64.5%

� Position and apply the transformation

� Set Layer Blending Mode: Darken Color

� Opacity: 6%

ADD A LAYER MASK

� Set default colors (black foreground/white background)

� Grab the Brush tool from the toolbar

� Use the Brush to paint away area.

(tip: you can go back in and add opacity by varying your brush pressure if using a tablet)

This is what the layer looks like

ADD A SECOND COPY OF THE SAME IMAGE (numbers)

� Do not resize

� Using the Brush tool, vary the opacity and pressure (if using a tablet) to create a similar effect as the one below.

ADD AN ADJUSTMENT LAYER TO CHANGE THE HUE

� Click ‘Create New Fill or Adjustment Layer’ icon at the bottom of the Layers panel

� Select the Hue/Saturation button in the Adjustments panel

(tip: make sure the adjustment clips to the layer you’re working on and not to all layers – the layer should look ‘indented)

This is what the Adjustment Layer looks like

Use the following settings:

� Hue: 93

� Saturation: 52

� Lightness: -4

This is what the foundation of the image looks like

In part two of this tutorial, you will add an instance of the third image and use typography to build on the final composition.

Cut & Paste 2009 Digital Design Tournament This ain’t no juried show of static commercial design work. It’s a ‘hold on by the seat of your pants’, ’show ‘em what you’re made of’ competition for artists with cojones.

Designers compete in 16 cities across the globe in 6 months from Portland to Chicago; Amsterdam to Milan; and Hong Kong to Sydney.

Check it out: there’s a competition in motion graphics in addition to 2D and 3D.

The deadline has been extended until January 23 for North American competitors.

Stay tuned.

cut & paste website

Starting the new year off by photographing my favorite tree while walking my dog on a gorgeous winter day in the north valley. It doesn’t get any better than this. Click to see large version

Rick and Oso
Zephyr and I hadn’t met Rick and Oso before today.

My two cents. Pure unadulterated advertising.

I like it! It makes me feel good. Simple design. Catchy tune.