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Fast and great photo retouch!
By Ps graphiX | August 21, 2007
Today I’m going to teach you how to create two great effects for photo retouch. The first can actually be used on almost every photos and maybe other graphics to. The second is best suited for portraits or other pictures where there is an object that’s in focus so… Let’s start!
First you need to find a stock image, or a picture of your own that you want to apply these techniques on. I found this nice picture that you can see below. If you want to use it, here’s a link for you 
Ok, this is easy:
Firs, Ctrl+J (duplicates the layer).
Then, Filter>Blur>Gaussian blur. The amount of blur really depends on the size of the picture. I re-sized mine for this tutorial (557*408) and then it suits me best with a 5,5px radius on the blur.
Set the layer to Overlay, and you already have a cool picture, but I’ll lower the opacity to about 80%. This is actually depending on what effect you want. Now I have this:
Now it’s more colorful, dynamic and I personally like it much better although it would be better if you make it a bit darker. And you… have just learned a new technique (maybe)! And now we are heading over to the next technique: Blur the background!
First, we need a selection of our background. And we are going to do it with the pen tool (ofcourse you can do it your way, but I’ll shoe you my way).
Chose the pen tool (P) and use this option:
And now we are going to draw around the background. I won’t teach you how to use the pen tool, but there are many tutorials out there if you don’t know how.
Here is my “drawing” (click to enlarge):
Now (after you have closed your “drawing”) you must right click in your drawing and select “Make selection”. I chose a feather of 5px and clicked OK.
Now you are going to blur again. But remember to do it on the background layer and still have the selection. Blur until you have what you want and click ok (i chose 3px). And now you’re finished! Although i would like to make it darker (you might like so to. So I merged the layers and went to Image>Adjustment>Brightness/Contrast and selected -75 in brightness.
This is our (or mine if you really want) final outcome (click to enlarge):
And here’s the one we started with again:
Of course you can continue editing, or you can just LEAVE A COMMENT PLEASE 
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Topics: Photoshop Tutorials |
very good.I like it and want to try it.
I’m glad you like it!
But… I have to admit to everyone that I made a little mistake. That little stand of hair on the left should be not be marked with the background and not blurred. But you know… everyone do mistakes sometimes
wow thats cool thx for the tut..im a complete beginner in photoshop think yuo can teach me some stuff sometimes?
Well, I’ll write more tutorials on this site so come in some times.
Also, I have a loose thought about a forum and a small (maybe big?) community on this site where people can get help from me and others. And other can post tutorials there.
Very nice n easy, like it alot. =)
brill was easy to follow and looked great after
Awsome!
Nice site and nice tutorial!
I have been looking for this kind of design for a site for a long time, and you nailed it, I always wanted to see a “grey vs lime” site, fantastic! =D
loved the way u tell it:) useful for me! thnx
Really glad you all liked it
Thanks
this effect very easy and funny! thanks
Many thanks to this tutorial. As you can see from the one I realized, it makes a deep warm effect. =D By the way, I highly suggest when having pictures such as the one I have (where eyes and lips are visisble) to erase in those areas after the blurring process; for eyes/mouth to abide their sharpness.
-@LaN!
LINK to IMAGE I CREATED : http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/6347/angelinajolieqg6.png
well done… I’m impressed with your tutorial… shared more of ur knowledges…
Yeah, I’ll try to write good tutorials in the future too. Glad you liked my tutorial!
nice effect
very nice tut there Good job =)
wow, its great , and very easy and effctive
tut.
thnxxxxxxxx
i loved it *_*
great tutorial i loved it
Totally awesome!
HAve been looking for a tutorial like this and now you are my god =)
I bow before you almighty one =)
wow..great tut… i’am from Indonesia.. i like urs tut… simple tut…but great…write more tut please..and make the tut simple..cause my english limited..
THX
this is so awesome and easy to remember!!! thanks so much i can make pictures look much more professional now. ^_^