Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

I now have a link, reduced picture size, to my Photoshop file with layers you can turn on and off. This was done using the latest software, probably won't open in older version. Once you download you can click on and off the layers to see what they are doing. You can also click on and off on the (Eye) inside the layer to see what effect that is doing.
Here is the link to download file
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ofn6sd09lnsah2j/Flower%20Discussion%20Sm.psd?dl=0
Click the down arrow underscore button to download.

I wanted to mention when building this composite I made a mask for 1) Main Flower 2) Lower Petal 3) Upper Petal. I had forgotten to make the images a Smart Object. Once you make a mask and then turn the layer into a Smart Object it applies the mask and eliminates all non wanted areas.

I'm going to talk about just the Mid Petal for now. You can ask questions pertaining to the other layers in Reply comments.

1. Main flower is on a previous layer. While on that layer I copied one leaf using the Quick selection tool too select the area I wanted copied, Once the marching ants the showing the area I wanted I hit Connabd and C key to copy.
2. Now go to the bottom of the right panel and click on the box with the + sign in it. A new layer appears. Hit Command V to paste the copied area that you had previously saved.
3. When you did the last step you might not see anything happen because the new image is right over the original flower.
4. Hit Command T for transform or move your layer. You can do many thing with this setting, move image resize image, flip the image, distort image and several other things. Right click inside the box and you will see the menu for your choices. As you see I moved it.
5. Next I wanted to darken the petal. The best way for me was to use camera raw filter. Same menu as what you see in Lightroom's Develop screen, with a couple of extra buttons. I moved some sliders. If you downloaded my working file and click the words Camera Raw Filter you will go to the scree and see what I did. Since this is a smart object and non distructive you can always go back to this line item and make additional changes.
6. Next I wanted to make it look different so you won't necessarily know where I got the petal. To mess with the shape a bit I used the Liquify filter. I'm not going into how to use this filter it would be better for you ton search on YouTube to find out how to use it.
7. I did the Liquify again. I wasn't sure if I liked it the first time or try something different. Now that I did it again I have two different adjustment I can turn on or off and see the difference with out a permanent change. Just click on and off the (EYE)
8. I did the same type of thing next used the Gauissian Blur filter. A little then a little more or less.
9. Next came a motion blur. I wanted a little motion because the petal is falling. I will go into detail is you want but I thin I will stop here.

This will be the last of the continuing threads with the flower composite. Please ask any questions how, why, or what ever to keep the dialogue going for new people to Photoshop.

Thank you for taking time to read and participating.
Jim

Craigdca Loc: California

Hi Jim, this opens a new technique for those times that I would need it. I know enough from your pointers on transform, liquify and the blur types to take it from there. Thanks for sharing, and a fine image, too.

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

Sometime we need a little push to try new techniques. Next is trying to remember the steps it took to achieve a look.🥴

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

You've done a great job of explaining how to work with layers and adjustments to build a composite. It's easy to follow and anyone who has been mystified by the process can solve that mystery if they are inclined, using the steps you've laid out.

I use a very similar process to yours. The only difference is that I don't use smart objects. My old computer will run the latest version of Photoshop (and I do like having all the latest toys), but is allergic to the latest incarnation of smart objects and will do various kinds of mischief when I try to use them. I stick with adjustment layers, masks, and groups. If anyone else is having smart object trouble, don't let it deter you from the fun of composites. Photoshop almost always has several ways to accomplish similar tasks.

Thank you in behalf of everyone. A great series to bookmark and return to.

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

Minniev,
Thanks for your kind remarks. I'm sorry your computer asks up using Smart Objects. Do you remember how much ram/memory, you have?
Jim

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

It is maxed out at 16 g ram, but it’s a dinosaur, going on 13 years old, so I’m not shocked it won’t do everything. I’ll replace it when Apple releases configurable desktop mac’s with the new M chips. The SO problem has to do with graphics processing. With the GP off, some things don’t work. With the GP on, other things don’t work. I picked my poison, and with the chosen poison, I seem to give up only smart objects and some functions of Liquify. (It is interesting what the SO’s do - rectangular chunks of the image disappear or relocate to other parts of the screen - it was a chore to diagnose the cause and cure.)

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

I now have a 2019 MacBook Pro with 32 g ram that I use for all my stuff. I have an old 2011 21" iMac that I had at work with 16 g ram. I can't upgrade OS any more or I'll loose some all my CS6 Programs that I don't want to upgrade. If I did it would increase my monthly plan. (Would go from $10 to $29 a month) .This old machine can run Photoshop v 21 that still has most of the functions.

I use this 2019 mac 99% of the time now that I'm retired. I use it so much that the several of the letters are wearing. I'm sceptacal about the new M chip machine, wondering how many of my other programs will or will not work with new OS and the chip. I'll waite it out as long as I can.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

The new release of LR has persuaded me to attempt to upgrade the dinosaur to Catalina. This will murder a couple of older programs I like that are not 32 bit, but for reasons I can’t explain, I decided to take the gamble.

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

Before you do make sure your computer will run Catalina.