This is the second part of my tutorial on making your own flower art. You can read
Part 1 where I discuss how to set up your own free studio using things you already have around the house and tips on photographing your flowers in this
earlier post. Today I am going to show you one way I edit my photos using textures and Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.
I have a bit of a texture addiction. There are some amazing textures out there for purchase (and worth every penny); you can find beautiful textures at
Pretty Presets and
FlyPaper. My favorite place to download free textures are
ShadowHouse Creations. Jerry has beautiful textures and if you end up downloading and using them, consider leaving a donation. I think he has the biggest collection of free textures that can be used personally and commercially out there.
So, on to the tutorial. You can download the original image
here if you want to edit with me. You should have a working knowledge of
layer masks and using textures.
Here is the before image.
I have quite a few layers after I finish editing. I am going to walk you through each layer, starting from the bottom.
1. I ran the
CoffeeShop 2020 action to add some contrast and "pop". I used a black brush on the layer mask to remove the effect from the flowers and vase because my whites were getting blown-out.
2. I was not happy with the obvious lines on my fabric (shirt) background so I decided to soften them some. I made a copy of the Background and moved it on top of my layers, gaussian blurred it, and then added a layer mask filled with black to hide the effect. I used a soft white brush to paint over the fabric background to add back in the blur and then I adjusted the layer opacity until there was only a subtle pattern. I did a quick and dirty edit since I am covering the image with textures which will hide my imperfections.
3. I added my first texture,
Blutopia from ShadowHouse Creations. I put the layer in Overlay blending mode (you can also try soft light, vivid light, multiply, screen, etc. and adjust the opacity to taste) at 100%. I also added a layer mask and painted out the white flowers with a soft black brush.
4. I wanted a warmer image, so I added a color fill adjustment layer (hex#baaa96), grouped it to the texture, and put that layer in Color blending mode, 100%. This is a fun way to change the color of textures on your image on the fly.
5. I wanted to burn (darken) parts of the image to add a vignette, so I added a new layer, filled it with 50% gray, put it in Overlay blending mode, and painted directly on my image with a low opacity soft black brush. If you want to dodge (lighten) parts of your image, use a soft low opacity white brush. This is a non-destructive way to burn/dodge on your image. If you mess up, simple fill the layer with 50% gray and start over. I just noticed my gray layer looks like a spooky face!
6. I added one more texture,
Erosion of the Afterlife from ShadowHouse Creations, and put that layer in Soft Light blending mode, 100%.
7. I wanted to play with the color of that texture also, so I added a color adjustment layer (hex#2a221c), grouped it with that texture, and put that layer in Color blending mode.
8. I wanted to add a subtle yellow vintage effect, so I added a navy blue color fill adjustment layer (hex#0c169c) and put that in Exclusion blending mode, 20% opacity.
9. I thought the white flowers were too bright, so I added a levels adjustment layer and adjusted the sliders under the curve until they were not so bright. I then filled the layer mask with black and used a soft low opacity white brush and painted on the flowers to add the effect.
There are so many ways to make your own art, and I hope this motivates you to go and play. Editing is so fun!
