Learning more about Photoshop Elements on potraits

Today, we had another session on learning and practicing more on using Photoshop Elements with the help of Mrs Craddock. This time we concentrated on photoshopping portraits as this would help when we are creating our music magazine advertisment and also our CD Digipak as people might want an image of their artist on their Digiapk and music magazine advert. To practice photoshopping portraits, I got an image of my artist, lenka and used the lasso tool and also the magnetic lasso tool to cut around the portrait, leaving the background. Before, cutting and pasting the portrait, we softened the edges so the edges were not be hard and would blend in with the background. After pasting the image of a new background, we used a soft eraser to smooth the edges and also soften them. Me and Hannah worked on the Photoshop and edited the portrait by changing and enhancing the contrast, colour and lighting levels and also blurring the portrait. We then got a background of the sun to reflect the happy mood of the song. However, we had to flip the portrait so that the lighting from the sun is shining on the right side of my portrait so it looked more realistic. We then added text to see how it would look like for a CD Digipak cover. I really like the composition of the image and I am thinking of using a similar composition when it comes to creating my CD Digipak cover.

Before
The portrait I started with.

After
This is when I cut the portrait out using the lasso tool, also softening the edges and added a background. I also flipped the portrait so the image made sense so the light is shining on the right side.

With text

I then added text to make it more professional and make it look like a front cover of a CD Digipak. This would then give me an idea and feel of how my front cover of my actual CD Digipak might look like.

I really like the outcome of the Photoshop image as the composition of the image looks really interesting and intriguing. This has made me think of using a similar composition for my final front cover of my CD Digipak. After having these Photoshop Elements sessions, it has really helped me when creating my final CD Digipak as it is easier now that I know how to use different tools like the lasso tool to help make it more professional and to add finishing touches.