Clipping mask

Hi.
Some people are not aware of the power of the clipping masks, or not even know how to use it.
Ok, fair enough, it's not very complicated, and once you know the possibilities, you can create some cool effects, that is why I created this 2 video tutorials to explain a bit what can be done with clipping masks.


I hope you like it

See you next time


Miguel

Text and layers mask

Hi.
For those wondering what I mean with this title, I mean that you can create some cool effects using text and layer masks.
I don't mean creating a text layer and then add a layer mask to create the basic stuff.
In this video I show you another wayto work with layer masks, that can be applied notonly withtext.


I hope you like it.

See you next time


Miguel

Photoshop for beginners Part 1

Hi.
There are many many tutorials all over the internet that can help you do some cool stuff in Photoshop.
However, the really simple stuff for those who are starting now, it's really difficult.But I started a new series of tutorials that at first I will explain the very basics of the tools and what can be done with them.

I really hope that I help who is starting now with Photoshop.

See you next time

Miguel

Load Presets to Photoshop

Hi.
We all have presets that we used in last versions of Photoshop or that we found all over the internet.
In this video I show exacty how to install them in your new version of Photoshop.
As I mention in the video I would advise to create a folder where you can have your custom brushes, gradients etc.Not only it's easier for you to find as when you backup to an external drive its also easier to find.

I hope you like it.

See you next time


Miguel

Fix export to Facebook etc with Bridge CS5

Hi.
With Adobe Bridge CS5 you can upload directly to facebook, Flickr and Photoshop.com.However it sounds so simple but sometimes it's not the case.
When I installed CS5 I've chosen as default language English_GB, but having Bridge with en_GB it won't work.
Well, you can always uninstall and install again, but there is a easier way to do so.
So to help people who had the same problem as me I' created this video tutorial on how to change it

I hope you like it

See you next time


Miguel

Nik HDR Effex Pro Review

Hi.
Today I’d like to talk about HDR, but in this case a Plugin that is available for Photoshop, Lightroom and Bridge.
To be honest I am not a fan of Plugins, it’s a bit like you are cheating, having said that Nik has a Plugin called HDR Efex Pro.
When I started working with HDR in Photoshop I was always after the surrealistic look because it was the one it looked cooler, however HDR is more than that.
Last night I downloaded the free 15 days trial version from Nik and I was amazed.
The download is very straight forward and very easy.
To install it took me no more than a minute and it was also very easy.
But the best was when I opened Photoshop and launched Nik HDR Efex Pro, but because the name mentions Pro, you don’t need to be a Pro to use it, but you will create some cool photos that will look that was a Pro who processed.
There are lots of easy to use presets, even has a preview mode without the need to apply the effect to your photos, but the control is brilliant.
Just like Photoshop CS5 you can process just one photo, or for a better result I would advise to work with 3 or 5.
In the matter of adjustments you will find in the “Global Adjustments” Exposure, Contrast, Saturation, Structure, Blacks, Whites and Warmth.
Then there is “HDR Method” where you can find easy to use presets like Natural, Crisp, Subtle and lots more, and just bellow that you will find Vignette and Levels and curves adjustments.
One thing is for sure, its a very cool plugin, but then I saw a button “Add Control Point” and I started “playing” with that.Basically I could add a control point in the Photo where I could adjust that area with Exposure, Contrast and Saturation, how cool is that?
Even that I am not a big fan of Plugins I tried in the past another, and I was very confused on how to work with it and with Nik HDR Efex Pro I found it not only very easy to use, but only with very good results, and the control over the photo is brilliant.

For those who are interested in trying or buying, just go to
Nik Software
I hope I helped in any way with this short review.

See you next time

Miguel

Personalized Frames

Hi.
There are so many ways to create frames in Photoshop that I could post a tutorial everyday of the year.
However I like to share some of the techniques that I find to be very easy and cool.

I hope you like it

See you next time

Miguel