When I bought my new i7 4-core laptop 2 years ago, it came preinstalled with PSEL9 which I never used. I did buy the dual pack PREL10 with PSEL10 but again, I only installed PREL10 so I could edit my videos.
When David (from Montreal) was visiting here recently we were talking about our ride to State College, PA this past July 2013, and I mentioned that it would be nice if we could make a T-shirt or something so that we could all have a remembrance from our time together. This is how THIS T-shirt evolved
Here is the original graphic
Remember that I am not a power user of PS or PSEL9 and I wanted a graduated border, rather than an abrupt border. I looked on-line for the solution and while the tutorial was rated as "easy" and 2 minutes to do, this took me 2 days of frustration trying to make it work. Eventually I managed to get it done
This photo was taken on Thursday, July 18, 2013 and Steve Williams made time to come and visit us at the KOA in Bellefonte, PA, our last night before leaving. We managed to snap two group photos and Steve was snapping photos of all of us and he was going to post something funny about us, but so far we haven't seen them. The sun was going down and we were losing light fast. One thing about photography is that it brings back so many memories. David came up with the "Bloggers in the Sticks" banner and I tried to match the font on "Scooter in the Sticks".
I am not a fan of those do it yourself iron-on transfers as they rip and don't turn out very well and the last time I wasted a few T-shirts before I got a "keeper". I managed to find someplace who had a "direct to Material" printer. They have two; one for dark material which uses "white" inks and the other printer to print on White material which uses black inks .
During the past few weeks I have been learning more about image editing. I bought a book and have been reading and also learning "from the internet". Many things that were cloudy before have become a bit more clear. I cannot read a book from the beginning chapter to chapter. I find that if I have a project to work on then I will just learn what I need to know to be able to complete the project. The same thing I did when I needed to learn how to do graduated margins on the first photo above
When I was in PEI: Prince Edward Island this summer, I regretted not buying a T-shirt from PEI. Now I am not usually a fan of wearing shirts with writing or photos on them but I thought it would be different if I was actually displaying my own photo. So I had this project in mind to make my own T-shirt
This was produced on "their" White Ink printer, DTG: direct to garment (printer) This is a 2-part process. Chemicals are first applied to the dark material to "bleach" the base ink and then pressed under high heat to dry. The white ink printer makes two passes over the material. One pass to spray on the white ink and the second pass to apply the image. After the T-shirt comes out of the printer, it is pressed under high heat again to "seal" the ink
I asked Phaedra to hold my shirt "hot off the press". I bring my own .PSD file and they load it up in their own computer using Photoshop CC. This whole process is done while we chat about this and that and I am usually gone within half an hour
Notice that I have also been working on Watermarking my images. I didn't realize that my program can process multiple files or a whole directory at a time. I can resize all of my images from one folder and also have them all reduced in size, apply colour correction and auto levels to them as well as print the watermark all done with just "one click". You can adjust the opacity which I set at 50% in White (you can change the colour).
Here's the full graphic
The weather wasn't so great while we were there so the colours are a little subdued but it "is what it is" I blended two photos. One was with the Confederation Bridge in the background and the other was in Historic North Rustico Harbour. More memories from the summer with my bike
And here it is "under construction"
I am learning to use Layers with adjustment masks so the original images remain unaltered.
I'm also playing around with making a logo as my watermark and I had some blogging business cards made and all of this is being done using PSEL9
Here's Vstar*Lady on the ferry heading over to Prince Edward County, August 5th, 2013. No, I'm not going to use that one but I had to manually place and resize it after saving it as a .PNG file.
crop taken from photo above. I'm playing around with moving text around
As I look at my photos from this summer I can see more projects to work on as the weather deteriorates. Things to keep me occupied until riding season starts again. A sneak preview . . .
More memories from the Bestest Summer Ever . . . Summer, 2013
Pretty nice collection of photos and thanks for the info on the direct to garment. I hadn't heard of that before though it's probably similar to the canvas photo prints I've been seeing at the online print shops.
ReplyDeleteRichard:
DeleteI only just learned about DTG (Direct to Garment) Printing which I think is a bit different than just printing on canvas. The canvas printers cannot input something like a T-shirt or Sweatshirt. A canvas can go through the slot in the Printer sort of like a thicker piece of paper. In a DTG printer there is a platform where you place your garment (T-shirt) and it goes completely inside the printer. The print head moves back and forth, while the plate moves in and out by motors.
I think once you get used to mucking around in PS or Elements you'll have fun. I don't know elements, but most of these programs are confusing at first, then once familiar are actually easier than some of the more basic programs that can be had.
ReplyDeleteI'm playing with a trial of lightroom right now. I want it for it's cataloging capabilities more than anything else. I'm not sure, but I think I can achieve what I need with bridge instead.
Nice job on the tee shirts and photo montage. They turned out pretty cool. You have a good eye. But then I already new that.
Kari:
DeleteI am trying to go Legit and use programs which I have bought. Elements is more powerful than people think and has many options like the FULL version of PS which you cannot buy anymore as it has evolved into a cloud subscription service with monthly payments.
The power of PS or PSEL is in the layers and the adj masks. I am not sure if I need Lightroom, there was a special recently but I don't need a cataloging app. It's amazing how many people like myself, have been taking photos for a long time and never really learned how to use PS, except for basic functions.
It's like editing/compiling a video. You have a vision in your mind and then you shoot the images to match. To make these collages I was a bit too close to the subject(s), I intend to stand a bit farther back to allow more room for blending them together. It's the same thing with weddings. Too close and you lose out on more cropping options.
With all the extra time you have in Seattle, you could be doing stuff on your laptop too. It makes me feel good to know that my T-shirts are appreciated
Bob
ReplyDeleteYou sure can waste a lot of time trying to learn just a few simple steps in a program like Photoshop. It has that many features it nearly becomes a full time job to learn how to use the damn things. I just learned enough to make some simple logos, use the layers and some simple effects. Thats enough for me.
Good luck during your winter, but you should have plenty of time to work it all out.
Steve:
DeleteI have an unusual way of learning things. I cannot read a book from front to back. Having a vision of what you want to achieve helps a lot. Without something in the back of your mind to work on, you think you understand the words until you try it yourself and wonder why it didn't work. Even when you follow instructions (from the "net), things don't work as they should because they don't explain it to you. They tell you to go there, click here, select this option, etc and if it worked you don't understand why. You are just a robot following instructions as you go down a list . . .
I happened to find a good instructor with some great tutorials and he explained everything in simple terms and even made mistakes so you could go back and correct them. Don't worry about making mistakes as there is always the "UNDO" button
I'm working on another long term project. Think QTVR . . . I have always wanted to do this but I am stumped as there are no free options.
As with any learning, it takes time to understand where you went wrong and then when it "clicks" you wonder why you didn't figure it out earlier. It helps to have someone show you the first time and explain it in simple terms
I'm with you on PS. I have a copy that I struggle with every time I want to do something even if it's really basic. And layers? Forget it. Never have been able to wrap my head around that. What I'd like is something a little more advanced than Microsoft Office Picture Manager (which I use a lot) and PS. I expect it's out there; I just need to look for it.
ReplyDeleteCanajun:
DeleteTry this free on-line pixel editor. I notice it has layers too
http://pixlr.com/editor/
This would be a good way to edit photos whilst "on the road". Understanding Layers is not that hard. It's all in the adjustment masks which all makes sense now that it was explained in words an idiot like myself, could understand
I am going to try a simple project using Pixlr with layers to see how good it works
PS is difficult. I use both Corel and PS, but try not too as much as I can. It becomes a project, and sometimes projects are more boring than worth it for me. I like what you have done and looks like you will the one I go to with questions... ;)
ReplyDeleteKathy:
DeleteI used to use Corel a lot for laying out my photos but not for a long time now. I was using "Evaluation" copies of PS CS but I decided to switch over to PS Elements instead as I have purchased several versions. I just bought V11 and then V12 was released a week later. The Quick selection brush was deleted from V12 for some reason
If you send me a question which I don't know how to do, I will work on it until I figure it out. Like anything else, once you figure it out you wonder why you couldn't figure it out before
Interesting concept that DTG, I wonder though about durability after say several washes and dryings?
ReplyDeleteBTW, I still use that PS software you gave me in Montana.
Dom:
DeleteI was told that the ink they use is bonded to the material. It should survive 200 washes or more and needs no special handling. Wash as normal, or as your garment says on the label. Of course after 200 washes you should be in line for another T-shirt anyway. or print one with a different photo.
I still use that PS software at work too. Leaves no trace on my work computer
Now, if if you get too good at PS, we're going to start wondering if any of the pictures posted can be believed. ;-)
ReplyDeleteRichard:
DeleteThe hardest part is the "Selection" process to remove objects (from the background: I would never be an expert at it. To become a PS geek and lock yourself in a room and tickle the keyboard all day is not the way to live
Wow. I'm impressed with your dedication to learning a new skills.
ReplyDeleteI'm inspired. I, however, need a course. As a teacher, I acknowledge that it is only through the supervision of another evaluating my work that gets me to do anything.
David:
DeleteI learn faster when I need to know something I am working on, or else it won't be finished. Learning for the sake of learning makes me fall asleep. You think you understand but in reality you are just reading random words which have no meaning.
Learning PS has been a struggle for YEARS. I have tried to learn several times and gave up. Now it seems that I am finally starting to figure it out. I also started to learn using PS elements rather than the full PS, as these are programs that I have purchased.
bob skoot: I love the shirt. I feel almost famous. I'm trying to resist wearing it to preserve it but who knows what I'll do.
ReplyDeleteI did post pictures of you guys back in August with a story about some of the things I learned from each of you but that certainly wasn't funny. You all were serious, hardcore riders!
Steve:
DeleteI'm glad you liked the T-shirt and you are too modest. YOU are the famous one. Maybe we could plan for a re-union of the shirts one day.
I went back and looked at your post and it did bring back a few memories
http://vespalx150.blogspot.ca/2013/08/learning-from-moto-bloggers.html
but I remember you snapping a few individual portraits . . . It was a delight to see the Master in action
I forgot about those individual portraits. I'll revisit and see how I might mythologize the group!
DeleteAs far as me being famous -- if Top Gear calls, then maybe. Or a guest appearance on Sons of Anarchy...
Bob, "bestest summer ever" is the perfect three-word recap.
ReplyDeleteI printed some pictures Karen took in the few minutes after I rolled into the KOA in Bellefonte and stuck them up on the whiteboard in my office. As time passes and the winter settles the memories are putting that adventure into perspective.
Your three-word recap is really perfect on many levels.
Thanks again.