Tutorial: the basics of Vibrant Coloring

[awmp]

heee, I'll never be an elitist icon maker if I don't stop sharing all my "secrets"... (if you were here you would have now seen me doing the airquotes, on screen it just doesn't look as cute as me actually doing it

Comments

[cosmicat]

*sticks hand in the air and waves like crazy*

Yes!!!! very helpful!! :D Ta very kindly :)

[evilgeniuslady]

Wonderful!

*saves to memories*

[greenpear]

You are appreciated because you give out advice without mucking people down int he technical details. Anyone one could say you need more contrast in that picture and others could bore you to tears with the whys and wherefores.

But most people are looking for a quickier explanation and the steps to do it. And we can hope that they will explore a little deeper and learn for themselves the hows to do things on their own.

ANd you're the only person I've seen (thought I'll admit I don't see everyone) who uses the S-Curves. One of the most potent tools available.

[priscellie]

Wow. I consider myself quite the Photoshop junkie, but this tutorial was a major help! I can't wait to experiment with these new techniques...

[magista]

I might be a tiny bit obsessive with these things...

Gee, ya think? :D Just because you have about 10 layers even before you crop or do text or anything? Hee.

I've poked at any number of the blending options for layers, and I can't really say that I understand what any of them besides screen actually do. For example, when you use the layer 'multiply', what exactly does that do? What's being multiplied, exactly? And 'soft light'? Or, well, any of them, really...

Which isn't to say I shan't be following your instructions slavishly to the letter, now, even to the point of copying your very particular colours...

[awmp]

For example, when you use the layer 'multiply', what exactly does that do? What's being multiplied, exactly? And 'soft light'? Or, well, any of them, really...
they are all explained in the Photoshop help ;)

[magista]

Yes, well... somehow I find that I understand the explanations in help files much better once I already know what's going on. :D Have you ever noticed how that works?

[awmp]

what they do mathematically? I have no clue *g*
I have the try and error experience with them. I know that multiply makes things darker, screen lighter etc.
other than that I just used the modes a lot and know what certain colors are doing on certain modes, but I still just play around until something looks right a lot.
if you like you can do what I've done in the beginnings...
make a color layer, (any color), change it to a blending mode of your choice, the open the Hue/Saturation window (ctrl+u) and play around with the hue/saturation/lightness to see how the changes affect your screencap :)
after a while you will have some favorite colors in favorite modes anyway ;)