filters

I use the commands under Photoshop's Filter menu as much as the next guy. But as a collection, I have five problems with them: 1) Let's face it, most are gimmicks; 2) many of them are old as the hills, so they lack previews; 3) most of the filters don't create the effects that they're named for (Fresco? come on!); 4) in what way are they even remotely related? 5) and they rarely receive any attention. There are the exceptions---for example, Smart Sharpen (CS2), Gaussian Blur (1.0), and High Pass (1.0), although generally ancient, are flat-out indispensable---but for the most part, the Filter menu is riddled with cobwebs of our communal disinterest.

So it got me thinking: Might there be a better place to filter images than Photoshop? My answer: Camera Raw. The great thing about Camera Raw is that it offers precise edge-detection capabilities---the one tenuous string that binds Photoshop's best filters---as well as equally precise color modification options. Plus, the values have huge ranges (compared with, say, the Filter Gallery) and the options make sense (compared with, say, the Filter Gallery).

The result is this free video, in which I show you how to create five independent Camera Raw filtering, from which I imagine you can extrapolate a few hundred more.

Here's the official description from lynda.com, with copious graphics: Read more » 

This week, I and my beloved video publisher lynda.com have a special treat for you: I show you how to create a galaxy of stars, solar flare, and space gas from nothing more than a layer of black pixels. And you can customize it for print, for the web, whatever you want. In just 9 minutes and 1 extra-quick second, you can Big Bang in Photoshop. Read more » 

Dreadfully sorry getting this post up late today. I usually get them up the night before, but an unexpected thing happened. Lynda Weinman and Bruce Heavin (principals of lynda.com) invited Colleen Wheeler, David Gassner, and me to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, for which lynda.com is the primary sponsor. We walked down a red carpet (during which the people on the edges gave us conspicuous glances of who the hell are you?), enjoyed Chopin cocktails in a private club, and sat in the same row as Colin Firth. For the sake of comparison, my typical evening in California involves recording videos in a soundproof cube. So as you might imagine, I got somewhat discombobulated and forgot to write this post. Read more » 

Today's installment of Deke's Techniques shows you how to create an entirely automated background pattern using a trio of smart filters and a pattern overlay. Here's the official (and extremely awesome) description:

It's another week and time for another quick technique from Deke. In this week's episode, Deke shows you how to create something heartily substantial from something virtually nonexistent. Specifically, Deke creates a hammered metal background (featured behind last week's gold type) from insubstantial clouds and glass. Leave it to Photoshop (and Deke) to create such opportunities for irony.

Start with a field of black pixels, apply some smart filters, and top it off with a little rusty metal pattern, and you have a wall of textured metal that will support any creation you want to build on top of it. And because you're using the Clouds and Difference Clouds filters, which are based on random fractal noise, your wall of steel won't look exactly like anyone else's when you put it to use in your own projects. Read more »