Overview
Digital art is often thought to be as easy as a few button clicks on the computer but in reality, digital artists need to have just as much artistic talent as traditional artists. To truly master the digital realm, you need to master your software (in this case Photoshop CS), and be fluent in the "digital language" it provides. This allows you to intuitively apply the artistic principles and techniques needed to create dynamic images. The goal of this book is to teach you how to blend technical skill with artistic talent through the creation of a variety of interesting and fun images. If you're already using Photoshop CS, you can jump right in and get started. If you think you could use a quick refresher, there is a brief overview of Photoshop essentials you'll need to know to be successful with this book. With the ideas covered here, you'll learn how and why Photoshop does what it does, and gain an intuitive understanding that will help you progress to the next level of digital creativity. In the process, you'll apply what you learn by creating and working through a wide range of fun, practical tutorials, and learn the skills needed to create your own digital masterpieces!
Synopsis
Have you taken seminars and purchased books on how to use Photoshop but still had a brick wall in front of you when it came down to being creative and the real ins and outs of the powerful program? If the answer is yes, then this book is for you. You'll gain insight to how and why Photoshop does what it does and you'll gain an intuitive understanding of the program in such a way that it will help you progress to the next level of digital creativity. In the process you will apply what you have learned by creating distant galaxies and ringed planets from scratch. You'll learn how to create and add special effects like fire and explosions to a scene, as well as explore methods for adding realistic weather effects using special blurring and lighting techniques. Using digital photography techniques and Photoshop CS or Elements, you'll learn how to morph normal human faces into animal features. In addition, techniques for creating and adding special effects like fire and explosions to a scene are covered. The book also covers how to use Photoshop's animated brush engine to create rust and smoke. This is an insightful and fun book that will take both the hobbyist and the seasoned pro to the next level in creativity.
FEATURES:
Teaches how to create fantasy images as if photographed in the real world and explores morphing human and anima faces
Demonstrates how to create undersea landscapes from photography
Teaches the use of Photoshop's brush engine to create smoke, rust and concrete
Covers how to create ringed planets and solar systems from scratch
Illustrates how to use Photoshop filters and third party filter such as Nik Color Efex Pro 2.0 to alter and recreate realism
Details how to integrate a CGI generated image into photography
Teaches how to composite photographic images seamlessly to appear as if they were one complete scene.
Explains how to create effects in images such as explosions, fire and fog
Illustrates how to custom create a moon to include in the landscape
Teaches how to create a starship dog fight complete with laser blasters
Includes a companion CD-ROM with the files needed to work through the tutorials covered in the book, along with demos of popular software tools (Demo version of Nik Color Efex Pro included)