Adapting photo for christmas cards
For our company Christmas card this year, I've decided to do something totally complicated and insane, a fireplace mantel. We get the kids at our company Christmas brunch to draw pictures and then incorporate them into a card that we email out to our contacts. I designed 6 different borders for kids to draw inside of but now I'm struggling with the fireplace. One of the ladies at work took a photo of her fireplace but the quality is a bit grainy (she's taken a few pics so I don't want to ask her to do it again) but I also wanted the fireplace to feel as if it was created in Photoshop to match the cards. I thought maybe I could add filters and adapt the picture to give it more of a PS feel but I've had no luck in that area. I might have to recreate the fireplace but I haven't done anything like that before so I'm a bit concerned about making one from scratch (even if I use the fireplace photo as a base for the outline). If anyone has any ideas of how I can make the image more polished or to create an outline from a photo that I could then paint in and add dimensions with highlights and shadows I'd appreciate it! Here is an example of the borders I've created for the kids to draw in. And the fireplace with cards on it (you can see how the cards stick out like sore thumbs)
ASKER
That is definitely clearer but it would still feel awkward like taking a cartoon character and pasting it on a real-life image. Plus I wanted to use her fireplace picture because then I wouldn't have to worry about copyright infringement. That was why we couldn't use a lot of the art the kids did at the last brunch, because they used stickers and we were concerned about copyright infringement.
Put a filter over the cards to add a little noise or grain to them or just soften them up. Part of the issue is they are not hanging naturally. It may be easier to take out the rope and make the cards look like they are pinned to the mantle instead. Also think about proportion. I think the cards may be too big? Small changes like the last 2 ideas could make a big difference in looking believable. If you keep the cards hanging from the string, make sure your physics are good. The red card on the left looks good but the blue on the right, not so much, based on the way it is hanging.
Well, you could use the 'Remove Noise' filter, or the 'Dust and Scratches' filter. Also, play around with brightness and contrast.
The noise filters work bu slightly blurring the image. You should always use 'Unsharp Mask' after using those.
As for making it look like a drawing, there are several artistic filters in the filter gallery that might fit your needs.
The noise filters work bu slightly blurring the image. You should always use 'Unsharp Mask' after using those.
As for making it look like a drawing, there are several artistic filters in the filter gallery that might fit your needs.
SOLUTION
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To Create Outline:
From PhotoShop use the Poster Edges filter to create an outline of the fireplace.
To Give Dimension:
Use the 'Select Tool' to select the the background. Once selected, 'Inverse' the image so only the fireplace is selected. Open a new layer and save the fireplace. With the fireplace layer open use 'Layers Styles' and select the 'Drop Shadow'. Try the different shadow styles to fit what you're looking to achieve. You can even do this for the cards and string so to give a cast shadow. The cards and string would be in Layers.
From PhotoShop use the Poster Edges filter to create an outline of the fireplace.
To Give Dimension:
Use the 'Select Tool' to select the the background. Once selected, 'Inverse' the image so only the fireplace is selected. Open a new layer and save the fireplace. With the fireplace layer open use 'Layers Styles' and select the 'Drop Shadow'. Try the different shadow styles to fit what you're looking to achieve. You can even do this for the cards and string so to give a cast shadow. The cards and string would be in Layers.
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@padas - That gave me an idea. I've added a layer with a lighter version of the colour on that picture and turned down the opacity and fill to give lighten up the colour and remove some of the noise on the walls and I'm really happy with the look.
@D_Brugge - That's awesome! I tried to add lines to the fireplace but lines were messed up. This way I can do the same to the fireplace as I did to the walls without losing the details on the shape.
Thank you all!!
@D_Brugge - That's awesome! I tried to add lines to the fireplace but lines were messed up. This way I can do the same to the fireplace as I did to the walls without losing the details on the shape.
Thank you all!!
fireplace.jpg