9/26/2006 8:29:50 AM

Thank you for your comments. I don't know if I can get everything in this space. I used multiple layers. I applied Gausian blur on one to get the "frame" colors. I used edit>stroke 3 times using colors picked from the image. Another layer was taken from the original and filter>extract was used for the leaves on top of the frame. Not all the details but should get you started.

9/26/2006 8:35:06 AM

Nice capture. Love the effect and the colors.

9/26/2006 12:32:45 PM

Dennis, how did you achieve the effect of having some of the leaves in focus outside the frame and the frame disappearing behind them? I like that very much and I'd love to try it! Nancy

10/6/2006 4:43:57 AM

I think this is the most amazing photo I've ever seen come out of Photoshop! I love it, could I have more complete instructions on how to do this. I would gladly pay for a class that taught this technique. Lovely. Thanks, Camille

10/6/2006 10:03:23 AM

Yes, I too love this image. It passes my "Would I hang this on my wall?" test with flying colours. It's the only image in this newsletter that I really want to try myself. Additional "how to" information would be great. It's absolutely gorgeous! Many thanks. Margaret

10/6/2006 12:40:48 PM

Well Dennis, Looks like you have done it now. Going to have to teach all of us your secrets.

10/6/2006 12:43:35 PM

Wonderful creativity Dennis! I would LOVE to try this myself! Could you please tell me what you did in Photoshop to get the leaves on top of the frame? Please include me in your teachings. Thanks a bunch! You have inspired me to go autumn colour shooting this Thanksgiving weekend (I'm in Canada).
Cheers and thanks in advance!

Gloria from Toronto

10/6/2006 3:32:07 PM

This is really a super job. I love the leaves outside the frame. Send me some advice.
Thanks
TazMikey

10/6/2006 7:27:20 PM

This is probably not the only way or the easiest way to do this but this is how I did it. I try to keep the original background layer intact just case I need to go back to it so I start off by making two copies of the background. I then hide the original so I don't accidentally change something on it. On the top layer I applied Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur. I boasted the pixels way up like to 200 or more. This is for the outside of the frame. Hide this layer. Go to the next layer down and use the Marquee tool to select the area that you want inside your frame. With this area selected activate the blurred layer again. Use the Ctrl X (I think it is something like Command X on the Mac). This should remove the blurred portion of the layer showing the sharp image underneath. Keep the marquee selected. I picked a couple of colors from my original image and had them in my foreground and background. Go to Edit>Stroke and set the width to your liking. I used somewhere around 100 pixels for the inside color. Set the selection to inside or your framing will be rounded on the outside. Repeat this with the other color in your foreground and set the pixels to say 75. Switch back to your background color and do it once more at 25 pixels. This should complete your frame. For the part of the image over the frame, reduce the opacity of the frame. Activate the background copy. Use the Marquee tool and select the area that you want to be on top of the frame. Use the Shift key with the Marquee tool for multiple areas. Right click on the selected area and then select Layer via copy. Move this layer to the top. Use Filter>Extract to select just the portion of the background that you want on top of the frame. You don't have to be too careful with the area inside the frame since it will be on top of the background image. If there isn't a lot of contrast between the image you want and the background, you might want to use the eraser tool instead. Increase the opacity on your blurred layer and if you are satisfied, flatten the image.

10/7/2006 7:48:26 AM

Dennis, THANK YOU SO MUCH for your detailed explanation. I will be having a go at this soon. It won't be as good as yours, but your explanations seem quite clear. I had a look at your gallery and was highly impressed by all your wonderful images. Thanks again. Margaret

10/7/2006 10:25:19 AM

Dennis, thank you for the instructions! I really enjoyed looking at all your other photos too and like them all equally as well. I love how your eyes "see" the world around you.

10/7/2006 11:33:24 AM

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10/7/2006 2:12:55 PM

10/7/2006 2:14:23 PM

Wonderful image Dennis! Love everything about it! Excellent!

10/7/2006 7:27:12 PM