Collage Templates

Are you sad about the disappearance of Picnik??  Don't be!!  There are so many way super great creative things you can do in Photoshop Elements.  In this post I'm going to teach you how to create darling collages.  Easy Peasy!!

5 Simple Steps:

Step #1: Open Collage and Images...

Step#2: Select the Collage layer you will fill first...

Step #3: Use the Move tool to drag and drop your image into the collage...

Step #4:  "Group" Image onto Collage Shape (Opt+Command+G).  Then resize image with the "move" tool to fit shape.

"Group" just means that your image will take on the shape of the layer below it in your layers Palette.  Here's a closer look...

Step #5: Repeat with the second collage shape and image.  Select collage shape, move image, group, resize, done.

Easy Peasy!!

So where in the world do you get the collages?  I have you covered.  Here are templates I created for your Photoshopping pleasure.  The collages are $10 a set OR ALL 4 sets for $32.  U-Create readers get a killer coupon for $5 off any purchase.  Coupon code is "UC".

All colleges come with a video tutorial with some more super rad Photoshop tricks. (including how to add that darling pink pattern to your collage.)


Here are the 4 collections to choose from...

CLICK HERE to purchase the Basic Collection - $10

CLICK HERE to purchase the Grid Collection - $10

CLICK HERE to purchase the One Big Photo Collection - $10

CLICK HERE to purchase the Circle Collection - $10

CLICK HERE to purchase ALL 4 Collections - $32

Here is one more collage I just HAD to share.  

Enjoy and happy editing!!

Warm it up with Photoshop

This tutorial was originally posted on the Snap Conference website.  If you have even the slightest interest in creative blogging you must come to this conference at Thanksgiving Point on April 19th thru the 21st.  I'll be teaching a class on photography and boy would I love to see you!!

 

 With winter and gray skies upon us it's more difficult to capture a warm image.  Here's a step by step Photoshop tutorial on how to warm up your photos.

 Click the black/white circle icon (fill or adjustment layer icon) and add a "Gradient Map" layer from the drop down box.

 Double click the Gradient Map to edit the colors.

 Choose a rich dark chocolate color for the shadows & choose a creamy butter color for the highlights.  Click around until you get just the colors that look best to you.  It usually takes a few clicks to get just what you want.  The first few times of running the process takes the longest.  After a few times you find what color you like best and it become much easier and faster.

 From the Blending Mode Drop Down Box choose either Overlay or Soft Light, which ever you think looks better.

 Adjust the Opacity with the Opacity Slider of the Gradient Map Layer until you like it.

 

This is just one trick of many I learned while attending Emilie's workshop.  Her workshop includes how to shoot in Manual Mode, more lighting rules, her go to poses and her easy Photoshop process for editing. Emilie also teaching ONLINE classes.

Emilie's Salt Lake Workshops

Emilie's Online Workshops

Contact Emilie 

Sharp & Soft Action Sets

I have received dozen of emails and inquires about how I make my images so sharp.  It does have a bit to do with selecting the correct manual setting in your camera.  However, I also sharpen all my images in Photoshop.  I wanted to pass along my tricks.  I created a set of actions, the action set includes 3 actions: 

-Way Sharp

-Perfect Sharp

-A Touch Sharp

I couldn't stop there!!  I decided to also create a Soften Action.  This Action Set also includes 3 separate actions: 

-Way Soft

-Perfect Soft

-A Touch Soft

   

The action set includes a video tutorial on tricks to using the actions.

Actions are compatible with CS AND Elements 9 & 10.

Also comes with a step by step video for all other versions of Elements.

Accessories under $100.

Gift giving season is upon us.  Here are 10 fantastic photography accessories under $100.  Happy Shopping!!

Keeping your lens clean is so important to the sharpness and quality of your images.  This cleaning kit is only $15.90 on Amazon.  Here is a video on how to clean your lens.  Happy Cleaning :)

The harsh and direct light produced by the on camera flashes is so unflattering.  This Soft Screen Pop-Up Flash Diffuser softens and diffuses the light.  It's only $11.95 on Amazon.

This program does 90% of what the full version of Photoshop does, but at a tiny fraction of the cost of the full professional version.  Only $89.99 on Amazon.

 

If you have Photoshop you Must have my action set.  It comes with a Color, BandW, Vintage & Soft color action.  Have Elements?  No trouble, it comes with step by step on running the actions in Elements.  Only $30.00 on my blog.

This little flash is 90% as good as the Canon/Nikon flash and comes at less than one-fifth the price.  I have one of these flashes and love it.  The YN-560 works on both Canon or Nikon cameras.  Only $68.64 on Amazon.

This Rain Cover is perfect for the upcoming winter snow storm photos.  You can buy a permanent one for more money, but I like the cheapies since they are so small and portable.  Only $5.99 on Amazon.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my reflector.  I use my constantly!!  My favorite is the 32" White/Soft Gold.  Click here for read a tip I wrote on my blog.  Only $55.42 on Amazon.

If you haven’t learned all the thousands of keyboard shortcuts in Photoshop, you’ll love these little stickers that go on your keyboard to remind you of the shortcuts until you memorize them.  Using shortcuts have saved my years of my life!!  Only $6.96 on Amazon.

A Tripod is a must have if you're taking photos of products, home improvement projects, food or crafts.  It allows you to use a slower shutter & brightens up your images.  Only $28.64 on Amazon.

A clean camera is a happy camera.  These non-abrasive and lint free wipes are perfect for cleaning your camera.   Only $10.14 on Amazon.

Learn to use many of these nifty accessories during my Online and Salt Lake workshops.
Click Here to learn all about my photography education options.

Eye Action Tutorial

I've created a little video tutorial on

tricks and tips to run and adjust my Eye Action.

You can purchase the 
Photo By Emilie Eye Actions for just $15

 Purchase For $15

Compatible w/ Photoshop CS. They also come with tutorial on how to apply actions step by step in Elements.
(actions do NOT "run" in elements
however, they can be applied step by step.)

PhotoShop Tip - PBE Action Set

I've created a little video tutorial on all my 

tricks and tips to run and adjust my action set.

My action set includes 4 actions: Color, B and W, Vintage Azure and Soft Color.  It's like having me sit at your computer edit your photos for you :)

You can purchase these 4 actions in my
PBE action set for just $30.

$30.00

Compatible w/ Photoshop CS. They also come with tutorial on how to apply actions step by step in Elements 7.
(actions do NOT "run" in elements
however, they can be applied step by step.) 

Be sure to check out my 1 on 1 Photoshop lesson.

White Balance

There are 2 common ways you can adjust White Balance in your camera when you take your image and in Photoshop when you edit your image.  I typically set my camera to an auto White Balance.  I use the Nikon D700 & the auto White Balance is awesome, but not always perfect.  Therefore, I clean up the White Balance in Photoshop.  This trick can be performed in both Photoshop Elements & CS.

Step #1 - Open the "Levels" palette.  (short cut is command/control L)

Step #2:  Click the White Balance Dropper.  The white arrow is pointing to the White Balance dropper and the black arrow is pointing to the Black Balance dropper.  I typically use the white first and the black second.

Step #3 - Click on the image on the color you would like to set as the White Balance.  I clicked on her white tank top.  Then do the same with the Black Balance (I don't Black Balance every image, just ones that need it.)

Here are a few more examples..

This is just one of the tricks you'll learn during my Photo By You Workshop.  I also offer 1 on 1 Photoshop lessons.  I used my Photo By Emilie Color Action for the final edits. 

Happy clicking!!