Halloween Fright Self Portrait

I created a specialized Halloween self-portrait this year.  With no make-up and an unflattering style for my hair, I asked my hubby to take my photograph.  I almost ran screaming from the computer screen the first time I saw it!  And that was before I used Photoshop to make it look even worse.

Using tools in Photoshop, I pulled the corners of my mouth down and arched my eye brows upward in a menacing way.  I added lots of wrinkles - gasp! - or should I say, added more wrinkles.  I widened my nose.  Then started playing around in Photoshop to add "effects".

Was that tiny gust of wind that went over my arms?  Are there shadows moving over there?  When I saw the final result, I shivered and darted a quick look over my shoulder!

After I printed the image, I gathered the supplies. 

1 framed mirror - (only $1 from the Dollar Tree)
2 sets of Halloween stickers ($1 each on sale at Michael's craft store)
1 can of oven cleaner spray
1 pair of disposable plastic gloves

I took the cardboard backing off the mirror and placed the printed image face down on the back of the mirror.  Then traced with a thin-line sharpie around the photo so that I would know the exact spot to spray the oven cleaner.

I sprayed the oven cleaner on the back of the mirror and used my gloved finger to spread it around, staying within the traced lines. 

Then I went off and did something else and came back about 20 minutes later.  I put my gloves back on and wiped the oven cleaner off.  Well, nothing happened!  It didn't take the silvering off.  Drat!  (That's my favorite four-letter word.) 

Next I used a butter knife to scrape back and forth on the back side of the mirror, but staying within the marked image lines.  I was careful not to scrape too hard and actually make scratches on the glass.  Then I sprayed oven cleaner again.

After 20 more minutes, I put back on the gloves and again wiped the oven cleaner off the back of the mirror.  Waa-laa!  The mirror silvering came away, leaving the knife scraped edges.  I loved the way it looked!

Using blue painter's tape, I taped the photo into the clear opening and then replaced the cardboard backing. Now it was time to embellish the front side of the mirror with the Halloween stickers. 

Portrait complete!  I put it on the table in our foyer and for more Halloween effect, added a bowl of candy and some of my granddaughter's Halloween goodies.

Here's my Halloween Fright portrait!

It's okay.  You can gasp and scream!




Double-click on the images to see a larger view.

Click here to see an even more frightening close-up of the final result.















Please comment below.  I would love to hear from you.  It's alright, I know I look a fright!

Buy any onOne Software Plug-in for $99.95

THIS DEAL EXPIRED ON JUNE 30, 2010.

I just found a great deal at the OnOne Software web site. Their individual plug-ins for Photoshop are selling at the upgrade price!  The prices are slashed for one week only, with up to $200 off regular prices. But you have to act fast - it expires on June 30, 2010.


Click here for onOne Software Photoshop Plug-Ins for $99.95 each!


From the site:  For one week only, you can buy any individual onOne plug-in for Photoshop at the upgrade price of only $99.95—even if you don't own any onOne product. That's our lowest price ever and a savings of up to $200 off regular prices! All onOne plug-ins now work with Photoshop CS5, CS4, CS3 and CS2.


Hurry, Offer Expires June 30, 2010.


Genuine Fractals 6 (for enlarging images) Now $99.95 Was $299.95
PhotoTools 2.5 (photographic effects) Now $99.95 Was $259.95


PhotoFrame 4.5 (edge and framing effects) Now $99.95 Was $259.95
FocalPoint 2 (Selective Focus) Now $99.95 Was $159.95


PhotoTune 3 (color correction) Now $99.95 Was $159.95
MaskPro 4 (background removal) Now $99.95 Was $159.95


Click here for onOne software sale web page

Win A Florabella Collection Set of Actions

I Heart Faces has a giveaway by Florabella. Shana Rae is a talented photographer and the creator of the Florabella Collection, which includes florals, textures, and actions.

To enter, visit the I Heart Face website, follow the entry instructions, and you will be eligible to win a set of beautiful Florabella actions.

The grand prize winner will win two sets of textures and ALL 5 sets of the Florabella Spring Actions (Set I and Set II) including Vintage, Color & Haze, and B/W ($267 value) These are compatible with all versions of Photoshop, PS Elements, PSP, etc.

Three more winners will win two sets (Set I and Set II) of Florabella Spring Actions ($98 value)

Giveaway on Saturday, May 22, 2010 - four winners in all!

PS Dichanos: A shortcut to get there!

Didchano? There are countless shortcuts in Photoshop! Well, maybe not countless. I'm sure someone at Adobe has counted them. Not me, though. I haven't even tried.

I use many keyboard shortcuts in Photoshop, but one of my top favorites is the shortcut to make your brushes smaller or larger. Yes, you can change the size numerically in the brush menu at the top of your PS screen. But the keyboard shortcut is fast and accurate!

Look on your keyboard to the right of "P". Use the left bracket key " [ " to make your brush smaller. Just keep pressing it until it is small enough to suit your needs.

Larger brush sizes can be obtained by pressing the right bracket key " ] " repeatedly until it is large enough.

In a hurry? Hold down the bracket keys and they will resize super fast!

You can use the bracket keys to resize when you are using any of your brush-style tools: Dodge, Smudge, Eraser, Clone, Brush, Spot Healing, Zoom, or Quick Selection.

Don't take the long way around unless you have all day. Use the shortcut and get there faster!



[Southern Slang Translation: "Didchano?" is actually "Did you know?" The "you" sounds like "ya". The "Did" and "ya" are slurred together in that slow southern twang that comes out sounding like "Did-cha". Add the sound of "no" and you have "Did-cha-no?"]

PS Didchanos: Copy That Style!

A "Photoshop Didchano" for those inquiring minds. You just spent more time than you care to think about working on one layer to perfect your blend modes, layer styles, and opacity. Now you want to do the same thing to another layer. Do you have to reinvent the wheel? NOT!

• Click on the layer where you just applied all those cool styles, blend modes, and/or opacities.
• Now that the layer is highlighted, right click on it.
• In the pop-up choose “Copy Layer Style”.
  
• Now select the new layer(s) where you want to share the same styles, blend modes, and/or opacity settings.
• Right click on the highlighted layers.
• In the pop-up choose “Paste Layer Styles”.

Waa-laa! Done!

[Southern Slang Translation: "Didchano?" is actually "Did you know?" The "you" sounds like "ya". The "Did" and "ya" are slurred together in that slow southern twang that comes out sounding like "Did-cha". Add the sound of "no" and you have "Did-cha-no?" ]



Visitors Since May 12, 2010:

Photography Seminars

Most of the seminars are reasonably priced at $99. If you are a NAPP member, then the prices goes down to $79. I've already attended three Kelby seminars and have registered for the next one in late May. You get your money's worth and more from these seminars!

Check out this link to find a photography workshop near you!

Match Strike Effect

Just watched a video tutorial on the Planet Photoshop website on how to create a match strike effect in Photoshop.

Link to the video tutorial for the match strike effect

Make a Clever Lens Cap Keeper

Yes, you could just go out and buy a $2 lens cap keeper but it wouldn't be nearly as cool as this one that you can make in a matter of minutes.

I wouldn't recommend using your brand name (i.e. Canon, Nikon) lens cap cover since there is drilling involved. I'm using an inexpensive non-brand cap cover for my first attempt.

I found this on photojo.com where you can sign up for email updates for cool ideas like this one.