a Simple Tutorial For Adobe Photoshop
Click on images for a larger view
Step 1
Click 'file',then 'new'.Decide how big you want your final picture to be.I chose 500px by 450px.
Step 2
Choose your main background picture.It doesn't matter what size it is,we'll resize it to fit your chosen size.
Step 3
Click 'Image' then 'Image Size'
If your picture is higher than wide,choose your width to be the same as the the width you chose earlier.Make sure constrain proportions is ticked or your background pic will become distorted.If your picture is wider than it is high,choose to make the height the same as you chose earlier.You might have to play around with it to get it just right.
Now drag or copy and paste your resized background pic onto the blank picture we created earlier.Position it where you want it.If it was a tall picture you will lose some of either the bottom or top of the picture.
Step 4
Right click on the layer you have you background layer on,mine is named 'layer 2'.Then click on 'duplicate layer'.
Make sure you select the new layer we just made,(the copy of the background layer).Mine is named Layer 2 copy.Go to 'filter','blur''Gaussian blur'.You'll have to play around with how much you want the blur to be,I like it 1.8.Your layer will now be blurry,but don't worry,we'll get to it in the next step.
Step 5
On your layer pallate,you will find different options,click on each option to see what it does and how it affects your layer(we are still working on layer 2 copy,the one we just blurred)For this particular picture,I chose 'screen'.You can choose whatever works best on your picture.
Step 6 (optional step,can be skipped)
We are now going to create a new blank layer to work on.Click on 'Layer','New',layer'.You now have a new blank layer,mine is named layer 3.
Make sure you have the new layer selected(layer 3) and choose a color that will complement your picture.I chose a blueish color.Now paintbucket fill layer 3 with your chosen color.Don't worry that you can't see your background picture,its still there.
Again on the layer pallate,you can choose which option works best with your picture.I chose soft light.(We're still on layer 3,the one you just bucketfilled)
Now,still on layer 3 you can lighten or darken the color by changing your opacity.It only changes the opacity of the layer your working on,so make sure your still on the right layer.I chose to make my opacity 61%.Again play around with it to see what works best with your picture.
Step 7 (optional step,can be skipped)
If you have texured painbrushes you want to use,now is the time.Make a new layer,mine is layer 4.Choose the color and paintbrush you want to use and apply it to layer 4.
You can choose to leave it like it is or you can change the pallate option or opacity.Its really up to you.I chose to use the 'Overlay' option on my layer palate.
Step 8
Now your background is complete,its time to choose the animal you want to add.I chose a long haired dog for this picture.Once you have your dog,resize it so that it is in proportion to to background and will fit in with the overall picture.It might take several tries for you to get the dogs size just right.
Now drag or copy and paste your dog onto the main picture,(the one weve been working with).Don't wory were to put it yet,just stick it anywhere for now.You'll notice that the dog is now on its own layer,mine is named layer 5.Make sure you have the dogs layer selected for any work your going to do on the dog.
Now choose the Lasso tool and start to cut the unwanted backround bits on the dogs layer away,untill you only have the dog.(You can also use the eraser tool if you want.)To make it easier,I usually zoom in on the picture.
Now that you have removed all the unwanted background,you can move the dog to where you want it to be.You can move the dog by using the move tool or by holding the ctrl button in while dragging.
Step 9 (optional step,can be skipped)
This is to refluff a long hairdog where you might have cut off its fuzzy fur.If you used a short hair dog you can skip this step.
Choose the smudge tool,by right clicking on the blur tool,Its the little hand with the pointed finger.
Now carefully where ever you cut of fur,lightly smudge the edges in the direction the fur was originally running in.This will refluff your dog.(you will have to play around with the strengh of the smudge tool untill it works perfect for you,I used 87% srtengh on this dog.)
Step 10 (optional step,can be skipped)
This is to smooth the dogs outline
Choose the blur tool,by right clicking on the smudge tool,Its the little water drop shape.
Now carefully go over the outline of the dog.It just helps to make everything look smoother.(you will have to play around with the strengh of the blur tool untill it works perfect for you,I used 74% strengh on this dog.)
Step 11 (optional step,can be skipped)
This is to add a shadow under the dog.
Create a new layer.Drag it until it is between the background and the dog layers.Now choose your airbrush tool and a dark color,brush in a shadow where there would be one if the dog was really in the picture.
Now change the shadow layers opacity untill it looks natrual.I chose my opacity at 66%.
Step 12
Select the layer with the dog again and duplicate that layer,so you now have 2 dog layers.Select your new dog layer,mine is layer 5 copy.Once again,go to 'filter','blur',gaussian blur'.
Choose how much you want to blur your dog,I like 1.8.
Now that your dog is blurred,choose a option from your layer pallate.I chose overlay,but you can choose whatever works best for your picture.
You should now have something like this
Step 13
Select your text tool(its the one that looks like a T).Choose your font type,size and color.
Add whatever text you want.You can move your text later if you want aswell as your font type,size and color.Experiment to see what works best for your picture.Always remember to credit the artist/sites where you found the pictures you are using.It is not cool to steal someone else's work so always make sure any picture you use is copyright free or you have the owners written permission.Remember to add your name,but keep it small and discreet.(Remember,you can also change your texts opacity if you want).
At this point it is a good idea to save your picture in layers before we carry on.Don't save it as a jpg yet,but save it as a psd file.This is so that you can go back and make changes to it later if you want.
Step 14
To make a Border:
Go to 'Layer' and then 'Merge Visible'.Your picture is now a solid picture,ie,only one layer.
Double click on your one layer on the layer palate,until the layer style window opens
Choose the stroke option.Then choose your color,px size and make sure the postion is 'inside'.Click okay.
Now click 'layer' and then 'flatten image'.You now have a solid picture.
Step 15
All you have to do now is save your picture as a jpg.Click 'file','save as'.Choose the location you want to save your pictue and the name.Make sure you save it as a jpg file.
Some photoshop versions will ask you what quality you would like to save your picture as.I usually save it at 12 quality,but remember,the higher the quality,the larger the file size.
The Finished Manip
Your photomanip is now ready to be uploaded onto your server to share with all your friends.I use www.photobucket.com to upload all my pictures to.