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Post-Processing Digital Images
Create Your Own Full Screen Background
Jul 1, 2019 03:27:07   #
pixbyjnjphotos Loc: Apache Junction,AZ
 
I haven't posted for so long and there are so many new categories I am not sure I am posting this to the correct section. My apologies if I did this incorrectly.

The original image was taken a couple of years ago and its colors were slightly dull. Since I like my photos with crisp clear color, I took it into Photo Matix as a single image. It came out looking very nice. I then took it into Corel PSP X8 and resized and cropped it to my favorite size and resolution which is 10x8 inches at 300 pixels per inch. It has been in my archives for a while. I ran across it looking for saquaro cactus photos so decided to to something with it. I am now using PSP 2019 with many plugins. I also have been building some full screen (16x9 aspect ratio) background photos. Thought I might like this image in one of my backgrounds as well as share how I accomplished it. Used PSP 2019 to make the 10 x 8 for my background using the following steps:

Step 1 – Open your photo and promote the background layer to a raster layer.
Step 2 – Copy the raster layer to a second layer (over the promoted layer).
Step 3 – Went to Topaz Textures 2 to modify the upper layer.
Step 4 – I selected and applied the Black Hole texture and returned to PSP.
Step 5 – Change the opacity of the upper layer to your liking.
Step 6 – Flatten layers to merge into single image (10x8 inches) yielding image 1.

Build a new second image. (keep all layers visible)
Step 1 – Built a 16x9 background using an image of a couple of boards I had in archives.
Step 2 – Create empty raster layer above the background.
Step 3 – Create a second empty raster layer above the layer created in step 2.
Step 4 – Built a frame from another wood image I had in archives and positioned in upper layer (centered).
Step 5 – Size frame to just cover the outside edges of a 10x8 image.
Step 6 - Save new image with layers as a pspimage (project image) for future use.
Step 7 – Copy and insert the first image (or any other 10x8 image) into the middle (empty) layer so all edges are under the frame.
Step 8 – Flatten layers into single background image and save as a jpg.
Step 9 – Copy image into folder where your screen background images are kept.
Step 10 – Personalize your desktop background using your new desktop background image.

The combinations are nearly unlimited. You can use any photo you want and use any kind of background material you like for the 16x9 background. I like this setup because it allows me to have some program shortcut icons on the left and right sides of my photo and they do not destroy the photo. The reason for saving the project image is to be able to call it up with the layers ready to accept a different 10x8 image without having to build a new background or frame. Have fun.

Photo After Photo Matix
Photo After Photo Matix...
(Download)

Finished Desktop Background
Finished Desktop Background...
(Download)

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Jul 1, 2019 05:25:25   #
dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida
 
Tutorials like this are what I feel are an important part of UHH, Kudos and accolades pixbyjnjphotos. Why are roadmaps like you presented important; well I have often told a friend that being a great photographer requires a Betty Crocker Cook Book of Photography. Your 3x5 card tells you what to take, how to set and the Cinnamon-Rasin Scones turn out delicious each time. If the recipe pixbyjnjphotos presented is followed then results will be excellent.

I had to look up PhotoMatrix... "Easy-to-use program to create HDR photos and adjust them in the style you want, from realistic to creative, using one-click presets and streamlined settings." Comes in differing levels at different prices. https://www.hdrsoft.com/index.html

Yikes, formats, everything you have wanted to know. Raster Layer is mentioned in the discussion to help the people like me who play chopsticks on the piano and do my editing at the same level, a bit of education: https://99designs.com/blog/tips/image-file-types/

The editing program that pixbyjnjphotos mentioned, PSP 2019 is available for a one-time reasonable fee, ultimate is available. Topaz Plugins are magic and they upgrade free. I have had Topaz Adjust for years and no upgraded free to the Ai version for their free Studio.

Thank you for the guidance pixbyjnjphotos -- this will be copied and go into my Tutorial Doc file. Please correct me if I errored in references.

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Jul 1, 2019 06:19:40   #
awis01
 
Thanks for great work and the very useful process info.

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Jul 1, 2019 06:42:56   #
Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington
 
Thanks so much for your time and efforts in providing this tutorial, Jeff. I've added it to the member-tutorial section of PP Forum's guidelines:

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-184368-1.html#10148446

.

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Jul 1, 2019 15:17:24   #
pixbyjnjphotos Loc: Apache Junction,AZ
 
dpullum wrote:
Tutorials like this are what I feel are an important part of UHH, Kudos and accolades pixbyjnjphotos. Why are roadmaps like you presented important; well I have often told a friend that being a great photographer requires a Betty Crocker Cook Book of Photography. Your 3x5 card tells you what to take, how to set and the Cinnamon-Rasin Scones turn out delicious each time. If the recipe pixbyjnjphotos presented is followed then results will be excellent.

I had to look up PhotoMatrix... "Easy-to-use program to create HDR photos and adjust them in the style you want, from realistic to creative, using one-click presets and streamlined settings." Comes in differing levels at different prices. https://www.hdrsoft.com/index.html

Yikes, formats, everything you have wanted to know. Raster Layer is mentioned in the discussion to help the people like me who play chopsticks on the piano and do my editing at the same level, a bit of education: https://99designs.com/blog/tips/image-file-types/

The editing program that pixbyjnjphotos mentioned, PSP 2019 is available for a one-time reasonable fee, ultimate is available. Topaz Plugins are magic and they upgrade free. I have had Topaz Adjust for years and no upgraded free to the Ai version for their free Studio.

Thank you for the guidance pixbyjnjphotos -- this will be copied and go into my Tutorial Doc file. Please correct me if I errored in references.
Tutorials like this are what I feel are an importa... (show quote)


Thanks for your remarks and comments. I was in hopes I might help someone. I have a lot of fun doing things like this and I learn new things all the time. I got an email that I qualified for the Topaz AI version with four of the their useful plugins included. I downloaded and installed and I like it a lot. Thanks again for you lengthy response and have a GREAT DAY!

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Jul 1, 2019 15:22:14   #
pixbyjnjphotos Loc: Apache Junction,AZ
 
Thanks for viewing my post. Hope you might have picked up a tip or two. Have a GREAT DAY!

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Jul 1, 2019 15:30:50   #
pixbyjnjphotos Loc: Apache Junction,AZ
 
Linda From Maine wrote:
Thanks so much for your time and efforts in providing this tutorial, Jeff. I've added it to the member-tutorial section of PP Forum's guidelines:

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-184368-1.html#10148446

.


Thanks Linda for viewing my post and adding it to the tutorials section. I wrote technical training materials for operation and maintenance of some pretty complicated equipment for many years. I sort of know a little of what it takes for people to be able to follow written instructions to produce quality results. This one requires layers and layers can be daunting to some people. I think they are almost required for a lot of post processing procedures. Layers can make things easier if they don't confuse you. Have a GREAT DAY!

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