convert a graphic to a background tile

Create Your Own Background

I have been asked how I customized the background on my bio and Klimt pages with the image of my family crest. In case you want to create your own backgrounds - there is nothing easier. You need a paint program which will allow you to manipulate graphics and a jpg file of the graphic you want to use for the background. I used Paint Shop Pro 4 to create these tiles:
For this demo, I will create a background with a photo of Toronto's sky line.

This is the original graphic. One could use it as a background; however, it would be overbearing and would distract the viewer from the content of the page.

Load the jpg file into Paintshop - if you use any other format as your original, you need to convert it to a JPG file.

open images - special filters and press on emboss. The picture should now look like this

This picture is too dark, we need to lighten it up..

First, you may want to change the view by pressing colors and then negativeThis is the result:

Now open colors - adjust colors and experiment with the adjustments.

I used 43% brightness and -18% contrast for the first view of Toronto. I also changed this picture to grey scale

And I used 36% brightness and 0% contrast for the second view. This picture is not changed to grey scale, you can almost see some 'sunlight' in the sky at the left side

Now you need to save your file and use it in your home page.

Create Your Own Background

Easy, eh?

E-mail any commentary to ingo.niestroj@lambton.on.ca