Calling all photoshop experts

[gismo]

Can anyone explain to me how I can overlay text on a pic in PSE a bit like the one here http://www.scrapbookpictures.com/SBPView.jsp?STATE=HOME&BOTTOM=SBPBorders.jsp&SUBHEAD=home - at the end of the rop row? Alternatively is there a site anywhere that you can download frames etc to use to spice up piccies?

[Amanda Marriott]

I dont know but if anyone knows if there is a similar facility in the UK I would LOVE to know!

[ibecks]

In Photoshop you would create a layer on top of the photo, type the text in, then lower the layer's opacity to blend it with the photo, using the slider in the layers palette. Not sure if it works the same in PSE.

[kate8679]

i've had a quick play - i added the text layer as ibecks suggested and took opacity down to 50%, then i used the dodge tool on shadows and softened the text from the middle out (so it appears darker towards edges like the example) then i used dodge tool on background layer to lighten the edges and finally used paint tool to add black edges. Its not perfect, for one the font i used isnt great but you get the idea - and hopefully it'll give you some idea of what to play with

[gismo]

WOW thats fabby and perfect - ive never used the dodge tool before, is it easy to use?

[kate8679]

if i can use it it must be easy! i just selected it, then you can choose shadows, midtones or highlights - i picked shadow and set exposure at 100%

the alternative way i just discovered is select your picture leaving a border all round the edge and copy it, then draw a white rectangle over the whole image - then paste your selection over the top so you have a white border round it. If you use history brush tool with soft edges to erase the hard lines of rectangle you get a similar effect. Then you can do the text and add black edges as before.

By the way - i am by no means an expert so there may well be an easier way to do all this - i just tinker and have a habit of making things hard for myself!!!

This is same pic done second way

[gismo]

oooohhh cant wait to go home and play now!

[lindadragonfly]

Bex check your p-mail!
Lin

[gismo]

thanks hunny x

[lindadragonfly]

I did this by just playing about with opacity

[lindadragonfly]

oops here it is

[gismo]

thats so gorgeous - now stop teasing me cos Im at work and cant play LOL

[gismo]

how do yu soften the text in the middle? i tried using the dodge tool but didnt really know what I was doing and it didnt do anything LOL

[kate8679]

i just used the dodge tool set to shadows - if you check you are still working on the text layer then along the top it should give you the option of changing dodge tool range to shadows, midtones or highlights - pick shadow then change exposure to 50%. Play around and see what effect it has, you may need to increase or decrease exposure a bit
hth:)

[gismo]

yay 1st attempt attached

[Angel Crafts]

Wow these are fab!
I have just got photoshop elements 3, can i do these in there, sorry only got it today!

[gismo]

indeed you can hun - i have 4 and theres not much difference between that and 3

[Angel Crafts]

Can't wait to have a play now, thank you!!!!!