Learn how to use some brushes and blending techniques to decorate a photo's background

Open the picture below, then press Ctrl+J to duplicate layer



Use Pen tool to make a selection like this:



Click on the eye of layer background to hide that layer



Hit Delete key, you will have:



Click on the eye of layer background to show it again, pick Gradient tool and set properties like this:



Apply gradient color to layer background, you will get the result:



You can put some text on layer background



Pick Brush tool and select these brush (Download these brushes at the end of this tutorial)



Apply brush to background layer, you will get the result:



Add a text to the picture, in this tutorial I used font Transylvania



Select layer "Background copy" then press Ctrl+B to open Color Balance, set properties like this:



You will get:



Open Brush tool and pick this brush:



Apply it to the picture:



Merge Visible all layers then use Crop tool to crop the picture like this:



Go to Image -> Adjustment -> Brightness/Contrast to adjust the contrast of picture



Press Ctrl+B to open Color Balance





Press Ctrl+L to open Levels, set properties like this:



Finally, you will get the result:

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Your ride is not so fly? Pimp it out by throwing on some new D's. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to change the color of your rims to gold. Now you too can ride in style.

First off we have to pick out a car. Any car will do the job just fine; I went with the poor man’s Ferrari/Corvette ZR1.

Using the color #dfc855 fill in the circle and set the blending option to color burn.



Repeat the same procedure until all the wheels are gold.



And if you want to make the color lighter or darker just simply duplicate the color layer and change the blending option to multiply (darker) or soft light (lighter).

Written by: Ted Burns
Photos by: Daniel Chinchay

Wide angle lenses are best suited for landscape pictures. A great landscape view for a picture depends largely on the amount of light falling on its location.
Action, Lights and Location

After selecting the location which you feel will enable you to capture a great picture, evaluate the amount of light available in the area. If this is for an important picture, make the effort to consider the effects of light at different times over the course of 24 hours and decide during which part of the day the light will be most beneficial.

Once you have done this, you can then determine which features or additional components added to your camera foreground will help to produce a more enhanced effect and depth for the picture. Don't discount the possibility of using other nearby areas as well for an even better shot. Sometimes the greatest landscape backgrounds are available in locations you might not ordinarily consider. You might also try taking pictures from different angles to weigh their impact on the snapshots, positive or negative.

To avoid any shadows or darkness appearing over the picture as you take the shot, it is best to capture a view early in the morning or in the latter portion of the afternoon.

Once you have determined the time of the day to shoot, set up your camera using a tripod. After all, you don't want a shaking hand to diminish the beauty you are attempting to capture. Also, use a light meter to gauge the amount of light, and adjust the aperture and shutter speed accordingly.

Using Natural Effects

You can always add parts of nature in your pictures to help produce a very different, though natural, effect on your picture. For example, sunset moments can be best captured when the sun is touching the horizon. Take the picture about five minutes after this point. It is also advisable to take the picture from as high a position as you can find. And you can also make use of a polarizing filter to highlight sky color and tone. Making use of these techniques can produce an effect similar to a postcard.

Equip Yourself with Necessary Supplies

Normally, to capture a landscape view a photographer will likely need to travel out of the confines of city life. However, any time you travel some distance to take photos, bring extra personal and photography supplies, such as a water bottle, flash light, additional rolls of film, etc. You definitely do not want to migrate several miles from home only to discover you have neglected to bring a sufficient supply of anything you will need!

Finally, determining which lens is best suited for snapping a particular view is really a matter of experience, skill, and taste. Mastering landscape photography is not a difficult task but requires practice, interest, and skill development. Locating that jaw-dropping view and then capturing the right shot takes both persistence and patience - traits of which many frustrated photographers fall short. If you are not able to capture that stunning landscape photograph the first or second time, don't give up. The landscape isn't going anywhere.

About the Author
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