March, 2007
In this tutorial we'll cover selecting the upper part of the picture along with Channels to change the mood. Tutorial Includes project files.
Here is the picture we will be using care of Photos.com.
We'll start with the Quick Selection Tool and begin selecting the areas we want. You can increase and decrease the size of the brush by pressing [ and ].
Let's attempt to select the area shown below.
Click on the Refine Edge button. I've chose the Mask button and moved the sliders until I get the desired selection I want.
Here's where we're at so far.
Let's copy that selection and flip over to Channels.
In Channels on a new channel, fill the selected area with white.
At this point open Load Selection and choose sky alpha. Create a new layer by clicking on the icon. Let's create a new gradient like the one below.
Apply it to the selection by dragging vertically downward.
It's time to adjust Levels by moving the sliders in and fine tuning.
Go into Blending Options and drag the sliders under This Layer. To break the sliders apart, use the Alt key.
Create a new layer between the last two. Apply the new gradient we created and then apply Clouds.
Change the layer mode Overlay and an Opacity of 50%.
Finally apply Brightness/Contrast to the layer we've been working through New Adjustment Layer grouping it with the layer.
We should have a moodier version of the photo we originally opened.
Download the original source files from this tutorial in Zip format Here
Copyright (c) 2007, Jacquelin Vanderwood, All Rights Reserved
