Learn basic photo techniques with this tutorial, and how to apply them. Category: Photo Effects

Learn basic photo techniques with this tutorial, and how to apply them.

Step 1: Open the photo you would like to touchup.


Step 2: Now go up to Image > Adjustments > Auto Color, now this doesn't always give you the best results, but in most cases, it will.


Step 3: Now go up to Image > Adjustments > Photo Filter, and use the settings below.


Step 4: You'll now notice a very small difference, but you will see a very small effect of sepia on top of the image, which personally I think adds a great effect!


Step 5: Now duplicate the layer, and go up to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur (Settings: 5px radius). With that done, go up to Image > Adjustments > Photo Filter, and set it to "Sepia" at 90%. Set the layers blending mode to "Linear Dodge" with a Fill of 35%. Merge the layers together by going up to Layer > Merge Down (CTRL + E), and you should now have someting like this.


Step 6: Now duplicate the layer again, and go up to Filter > Blur > Radial Blur (Settings: 50, Zoom, Good), do this two times. Next go up to Filter > Sharpen > Sharpen, do this twice as well. You should now have this.


Step 7: Now with the top layer still selected, go up to Image > Adjustments > Color Balance.... Use the settings like below.


Step 8: Set the blending mode to "Screen," and the Fill to 25%. Merge the layers, and you should have something like this.


Step 9: Duplicate the layer again, Gaussian Blur it about 5 pixels. Next go up to Image > Adjustments > Desaturate (CTRL + Shift + U), and set the blending mode to "Overlay," and the Fill to 70%. You should have something like below.

Now wouldn't you say you just learned a lot of photo manipulation techniques, I just showed you where they were, the basics, and how to apply them to a basic photo. I would say this photo came out with a very "Bright Heaven Feel." Which is definetly an elegant style.


But let's say you didn't want the "Sepia" feel, how do you get a different mood? Just go up to Image > Adjustments > Color Balance..., and play with the settings, in the photo below, I set a very cold mood.

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