Photoshop Techniques

[Tekk]

Since the quality that GT4 delivers in it's photos isn't at all times great, Photoshop (or Corel, etc...) can really enhance the overall quality of the picture. The pics below were doctored using mainly the Diffuse Glow filter.



If there's someone around that can give some tips/advice on photoshop, please post. Let's share some knowlegde! 👍

 

[Orbit]

I've created an action for my GT shots - these are great.

You record a series of functions, then apply them to one or more files with a single click. In this case the functions I recorded were the Sharpen filter, increase contrast, increase brightness, add signature, then finally resize to 800x600 [makes them look better IMO].

EXAMPLE

Before:


After:


You could do so much more with actions, let alone the rest of the program, but it's a good start (and very handy)!

 

[Tekk]

Nice. Gotta give it a try. (Photoshop newb here ) Thanks!

 

[dori-san]

I've created an action for my GT shots - these are great.

You record a series of functions, then apply them to one or more files with a single click. In this case the functions I recorded were the Sharpen filter, increase contrast, increase brightness, add signature, then finally resize to 800x600 [makes them look better IMO].

After:

HEY! You copied my signature stamp location/idea! Just kidding, I don't mind. I know, it's the best isn't it?

I've been trying to find the font identical to it so I can make it look uniform, like it belongs there. But so far that's the best one that matches, and it's Arial (bold, I think).

 

[Tekk]

Some more.

 

[Easy$$]

you think you could post specific values youre using to create this effect. Ive been messing around with it and come close to the same look youve achieved but Id like to know your #'s for a better starting point.

thanks.

 

[Tekk]

you think you could post specific values youre using to create this effect. Ive been messing around with it and come close to the same look youve achieved but Id like to know your #'s for a better starting point.

thanks.

Depends on the image. You must find a nice balance between brightness and constrast. Then Filter-> Sharpen or Sharpen More. Mess around with the diffuse glow filter and you're set. It's all about trying.

 

[GT-One Lover]

here are mine photoshops:

whoosh...
"fast!"
fast standing

hope you like them!

 

[Vicious VP]

Well, I guess I am what you would call an "Photoshop Expert", so I can help answer some questions or explain how to do certain techniques. Just be specific as to your question and what the results are that you wish to achieve. I will do me best to give you a straight forward answer and make it simple to understand the process. Just don't bury my in Q's

PS: If you wish, you can look at the links in my sig to see what my Photoshop abilities are as well as those in photography.

Here are the GT4 ads I have posted thus far in the Photomode Ads thread

Mustang '05
Crossfire
Chrysler 300
Toyota RSC
Ford GT
Mustang IV '05

 

[Easy$$]

Depends on the image. You must find a nice balance between brightness and constrast. Then Filter-> Sharpen or Sharpen More. Mess around with the diffuse glow filter and you're set. It's all about trying.

I realize that it depends on the image, I was just looking for a ballpark figure. I like the look youve created and I can achieve the same effect on my own, no problem. It was more just a curiousity thing to see how close I am to your values.

 

[olskoolkid]

I've created an action for my GT shots - these are great.

You record a series of functions, then apply them to one or more files with a single click. In this case the functions I recorded were the Sharpen filter, increase contrast, increase brightness, add signature, then finally resize to 800x600 [makes them look better IMO.

I've tried that contrast an brightness up but find that going in to hue/sat setting turning up the lightness than going an turning the contrast up seems to turn out better!

 

[RenesisEvo]

here are mine photoshops:


hope you like them!

There has got to be a better way of acheiving that effect - just using the Wind filter all the time isnt gonna get you anywhere. Also - nice images there Tekk, but I wouldnt advise doing every single picture the same. Thats just boring and uninspired.

I can't host it, but this works a treat on a bentley speed 8:


-Apply a transparent>black gradient vertically to top and bottom of the image (leaving the car in the middle, and a little bit of the background above and below)
-Filter: glowing edges (Edge thickness 1, brightness 4, smoothness 5 or to taste)
-IF YOU WANT TO: Filter- Wind
-Filter: Gaussian blur, radius 0.3
- Adjust levels for a suitably dark image
- Sit back and enjoy

 

[Orbit]

I've tried that contrast an brightness up but find that going in to hue/sat setting turning up the lightness than going an turning the contrast up seems to turn out better!

How do you mean? I tried it on a couple of pics and there was a slight difference between the two, but the Brightness/Contrast method always looked a little better. Maybe I'm doing something wrong, or maybe it's personal preference.

dori-san, I've never seen any of your pics. And that font is one I made of my handwriting.

 

[drfterxl]

how do you create actions in photoshop?

 

[Vicious VP]

how do you create actions in Photoshop?

In order to not reinvent the wheel, there is a HUGE amount of info ion the web on custom actions as well as how to create them, so doing an action tut here would be pretty redundant. With that in mind, here is what an action iser: http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/2005/02/23/PSelement3.html

"Actions are little scripts, like macros, that let you do complicated activities with just a double-click. Photoshop users rely on actions to automate all kinds of tasks. For example, they use actions to automate complicated artistic effects, like making a photo look like a watercolor, or adding a 3-D frame, as well as for automating repetitive retouching tasks. (That's one difference between actions in Photoshop and in Elements. In Photoshop you can run an action on the entire contents of a folder at once, but in Elements you can run actions only on one photo at a time.) "

Here are a couple good resources that I found in a couple minutes.

http://www.cbtcafe.com/photoshop/actions/index.htmlhttp://www.chainstyle.com/photoshop/webhelp/tutorials/basics/anatomy_of_an_action.htm

All you really need to do is search for photoshop action tutorials and you will get a LOT of hits.

I hope that that helps some. The problem with action tutorials is that they are not fool proof. There are a lot of variables that can affect it's functionality. Download a few, and just "play" with them and you can see the logic on how they work.

Good luck!

 

[drfterxl]

thanks for your help vicious

 

[franz]

don't rely on action too much imo
specially if the process involve move or nudge

 

[Vicious VP]

don't rely on action too much imo
specially if the process involve move or nudge

Agreed. Like I said, they are "twitchy" and are not as useful as one might expect ... unless you need to do the EXACT same thing 50 times or so.

You're welcome FRANZ!

 

[franz]

Agreed. Like I said, they are "twitchy" and are not as useful as one might expect ... unless you need to do the EXACT same thing 50 times or so.

You're welcome FRANZ!

I had a past experience about that on this project
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=56509
I had to line up all the mask for the wheels surroundings
each day got 3 set of captures, so the process for each day is identical
but that stupid action didn't read my real action sometimes
so I ended up move the masking by myself
and other simple works just let the action did that for me

 

[Vicious VP]

• • • • • NEW TUTORIAL • • • • •​

I created a tutorial for you fine folks that may be new(er) to Photoshop, on how to get a good sense of motion on the wheels of your car in pics where they are not spinning much or at all.

You can view it here: Wheel Motion

Let me know if you have any issues or find any mistakes.

Enjoy!

 

[drfterxl]

don't rely on action too much imo
specially if the process involve move or nudge

yea some locations/tracks require different lighting adjustments

 

[bmw5150]

Great job on this shot!!!!!!!! It looks real!

 

[Ryosuke_Gumna]

Nice picture of the 350Z!

 

[Tekk]

Nice picture of the 350Z!

That one's my favourite. Very realistic looking.

I've been messing around with some other techniques and I hope to post the results soon, but I've been a little busy lately... Btw, thank you ViciousVP for providing some cool tutorials, as well as all the other members for sharing their knowledge. 👍

Keep posting!

 

[Rex-Kramer]

A technique i sometimes use in photoshop to brighten an image is this: Copy the background layer when you open your image (drag the background layer onto the new layer tab), apply a little gaussian blur to the new layer (between 2 and 4 usually), then set the layer mode to "screen". If the image is then too bright just turn the opacity down to taste. Using a higher gaussian blur setting you can get a more "etheral" looking effect.

 

[Vicious VP]

A technique i sometimes use in photoshop to brighten an image is this: Copy the background layer when you open your image (drag the background layer onto the new layer tab), apply a little gaussian blur to the new layer (between 2 and 4 usually), then set the layer mode to "screen". If the image is then too bright just turn the opacity down to taste. Using a higher gaussian blur setting you can get a more "etheral" looking effect.

Exactly. You get a pic like this one: http://www.betterphoto.com/uploads/processed/0020/0503291222542the_here_and_now.jpg It is also great for wedding shots.

Btw, thank you ViciousVP for providing some cool tutorials, as well as all the other members for sharing their knowledge.

Thanx for the compliment Tekk. I enjoy doing the tuts!

 

[Sportscar_Rob]

I dont like photoshopped images too much , they look kinda unreal to me...dunno

 

[Vicious VP]

I dont like photoshopped images too much , they look kinda unreal to me...dunno

That all depends on the look you are going for. Some images need to be clean and in the original state. Others need the PS touch to add life and variety. You just have to know when too much is too much.

 

[Sportscar_Rob]

That all depends on the look you are going for. Some images need to be clean and in the original state. Others need the PS touch to add life and variety. You just have to know when too much is too much.

yeah , but for example the Image of the 350Z above:

The light is very unreal and artificial , it does not add something to the pic , it just looks weird.

but thats just my opinion

 

[zonekill]

My first 2 "Diffuse Glow" pics.





Any comments?