Today [aalogo] Creative Team Member, Linda Davis, shares her approach to Light v. Dark Background Experimentation.
Light v. Dark Background Experimentation
Introduction
Experimenting is an important part of the creative process.
- My week in California was wonderful, definitely an inspiration for my photography.
- I captured these Magnolia blooms on a large old tree in a friend’s backyard; what an absolutely stunning display the blooms presented.
- I wanted to showcase one photo with a sun flare peaking through the blooms.
Note.
- I like to experiment with my photos and ArtsyTransfers.
- I generally prefer light backgrounds for my layouts but I’ve learned not to be afraid to experiment with Anna Aspnes Designs.
- I started this layout with a light background paper from ArtPlay Palette Magoa, as explained initially on my blog.
1. Clip Photo to a Frame
- Open file #2 from FramedMasks No. 5 and place on Solid Paper #1 from ArtPlay Palette Magoa.
- Edit the photo in Adobe Lightroom before exporting it to Photoshop.
- Reduce the photo size and clip it to the mask – See Useful Techniques in Photoshop and Elements video.
- Clip a larger copy of the same photo to the mask layer included in the .psd file and line it up with the small photo.
2. Create Background for Framed Photo
- Export a second photo of Magnolias to Adobe Photoshop, a photo with a more distant perspective.
- Add an Inverted Layer Mask to the photo from the Layers Panel.
- Using brushes from ArtPlay Palette Magoa with the Paintbrush Tool to bring back in the right side of the photo.
- Using WHITE as the Foreground Color to reveal areas on the black Layer Mask.
- Duplicate the photo and angle on the left side to create the effect of the tree.
- Repeat inverted mask Inverted Layer Mask and Paint Brush Tool technique.
3. Experiment with Background Color
I spent most of my time working with this photo on a white background, but it wasn’t working – So I experimented.
- Place Solid Paper #5 from ArtPlay Palette Magoa below all layers.
- Add the layers of file #2 from Artsy Transfers Magoa above the paper.
- Recolor black or gray layers of transfer to white as needed – See Useful Techniques in Photoshop and Elements video.
- Add Overlay #3 from ArtPlay Palette Magoa above the Transfer layers.
- Stamp splatters in white using the Paint Brush Tool on New Layers.
- Place some of layers from MultiMedia Hearts No. 4 (I deleted the large jeweled heart.)
- Add WoodWord ‘heart’ from Love WordART Mix No. 3.
- Add WoodWord ‘this’ from Epoch WordART Mix No. 1.
- Place the letter ‘I’ from White Wood AlphaNumberSet No. 2.
A change in the background color made all the difference for this photo.
Summary
Don’t be afraid to make changes to your layout designs.
- You can switch [aalogo] DigitalART product in/out of your layouts throughout the design process.
- Try different backgrounds to see which options might work best for your photos and [aalogo] DigitalART supplies.
- Experiment with at least 3 different options.
- Applies to ALL products in the [aalogo] DigitalART range.
WE INVITE YOU TO:
- Create a layout using these techniques and share in the [aalogo] Gallery.
- Read Create a Starry Background.
- Watch Selecting Backgrounds for Templates video.
- Learn more about Design Principles and Element Properties.
Linda, glad to hear California provided photo inspiration! Striking contrast with your glorious photo and dark background! I also like experimenting with different background values and Artsy Papers…love the surprises that arise! Thanks for the excellent tutorial and inspiration!