This is how I spend my nights [a tutorial]

[beelikej]

For my job I often have to browse through random photo-collections (I know: my life, so hard). A couple of weeks ago I came across an image that just begged to be fiddled with at home. So I did. I had a lot of fun with Photoshop and I would like to share the experience, so I documented the process with screencaps. Behind the first cut you'll find a step by step explanation of what I did. I also included goodies at the end. I hope the teasers don't freak anyone out... Does this already fall into the not-safe-for-work-category? *bites lip*

Before: After:


This is the original picture:

Made by Louise. Sadly I do not know the model.

Step 1: tattoo removal

Since most of the skin around the area had the same tone I used the stamp-tool to cover the tattoo.

Step 2: from color to black and white

The image was a bit too red for my liking, so I copied the original (tattoo-free!) layer
and lowered the RGB-input levels from 0/1,00/255 to 0/1,00/27.


I set the layer to 'Hue' and lowered the opacity to 65% to give it a little warmth (see below)

Step 3: changing ratio to distort correct (body)image

After staring at the picture during step 1 and 2 I felt something was off and I decided to shorten the lower-arms. I selected the area that seemed too long and adjusted the height (and width) until it made sense.


I also lowered the belly button with the stamp-tool:)

Step 4: jeans

I made an empty layer and painted over the jeans, then set the layer to 'Soft light'.

Step 5: background

I tested darker colors, but ended up with green for the background. In an empty layer I painted the area, then set the layer to 'Color'. (I usually just try all the options to see what works best;)


I set the opacity to 36% to show the original shade in the background.

Step 6: final touches

I painted the bindings red, set the layer to 'Darken' and the opacity to 75%.


I painted the button copperbrown, set the layer to 'Multiply' and the opacity to 50%

Result!

Cropped and ready for use. (see below;)

I hope this was educational!

I made the goodies with rispacooper in mind to distract her from stupid real life for a bit. I can only wish these work like that for everyone:)


1. 2. 3.

Click for big picture (1400x1000 - an oversized ratio;)


Was this as good for you as it was for me? I love comments of all kinds!

Comments

[fred-bear.livejournal.com]

yummy! Though I find the tattoo very lickable as well... ;)

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

:) It's not that I don't like tattoos, but this one just looked like a stick on.

[sillie]

Ooooh, nice... :D

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

Are you talking about the lesson or the picture? ;p

[rispacooper.livejournal.com]

That's very tasty, and reminding me of Sara_Girls latest story with the red ribbon.

I also wish the tattoo had looked less...modelly...

Red *is* sex. (to sort of quote Kinky Boots)

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

That was a kinky story:) I have to say I tried other colors, but red was the sexiest.

Tattoos can be very delicious, but this was 'meh' in my opinion. Maybe I'll try to enhance it for a next project, although this body doesn't really need that;)

[bflyw.livejournal.com]

Well done! And yummy!

Coloring a picture is something I've done quite many times so I really didn't need help doing that (good to see we are working the same way though), but I have to admit, I really liked how you worked on the lower arms and belly button!

This is exactely the kind of potst we want in the community all_pixels, if you are interrested? It's a new community (well started a year ago, but we haven't really done anything to get it going, but we are about to now...)

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

Thank you! And yes:)

Ahw, yes coloring is fun, but not that complicated. I first worked on that belly button and then still felt something was not quite right. Of course shortening the arms was a little more complicated than simply distorting it, but I figured I didn't need to give all the secrets away;)

I'd love to repost if that's allowed? I joined the community and hope to see it come back to life;)

[bflyw.livejournal.com]

please repost! And thank you for joining the community! I shall make tutorials for it (first off just basic stuff for those who are completely new to photoshop) and you are more than welcome to post any tutorial you may have made and makes in the future!

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

Posted:)

[tanisafan.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's some skills you got there. You lost me at 'stamp tool' :p. The shortening of the arms seems especially risky, but it worked so well. You so clever!
*steals icon, bahahaha*

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

Why, thank you kindly *curtsies*