This tool is called "Pen tool"
when you have add the point marks around the objects select this tool.
and drag the points to a smooth and clean point.
Then right click on the object and hit "Make selection"
And hit OK. Now you should have a selection around the object.
Another way to cut out and object from a white background is to select this tool
and select the white background and make an inverse (Shift+Ctrl+I)
And then copy and paste. BUT! this way makes the object loose its quality, so i strongly recommend the pen tool!
Now when you selected you stock image and made a cut-out of the object put it behind the white content layer. Just like i did.
Another stock image attached with a brushed shadow, over the white content layer.
You can add some sharpness
to the image since it where minimized and loosed a bit of quality!
Select the Background layer
Select the rectangular marquee tool and mark it like this
Select this tool
(G)
Then create a new blank layer
Now drag it from the bottom of the mark to the top to make it like this
Add the layer to "soft light"
Select this tool by right click on the marquee icon.
Zoom in (Z) and put it one pixel over the base line.
Now press this icon
and a the top of that menu , press on the "Solid color" and select (#75706c)
Once again, this is what you should have something like this right now
Then you can add these small things that no one care about, just filling out the layout.
Like this, adding a shadow using the pen tool
Then right click and hit "Make selection" once again. Then press on this icon on the layer panel
and hit "Brightness /Contrast"
I used the same technique to make the shadow at the bottom.
"Why did you add these shadows, it doesn't fit to anything?" Well i call them fill-outs. Details matters, so i added small things that no one would notice but they know its there.
Then when it comes to adding the text.
This layout is basically based on text so i wanted to show you how it works.
Press this button on the panel,
and drag it like this
You can modify the text by going the the Character panel
Then press "Character"! I used Times new roman and Tahoma in this layout!
Then you can rotate the text area to fit the note more perfect.
Foodhealthfitness.com logo
The menu is 12pt tahoma font
The sub navigation 11pt tahoma
Other stock-images
Then add your favorite links at the bottom
Now the last thing you need to add when you got you content text and images on place.
Add a new group layer and select all the layers you have and drag them into this group!
When you have done that, right click on the group you just created and hit "Duplicate group…"
And when its duplicated , click on the group and press "Ctrl+E" and Press M and cut out something like this.
Then drag the point up while holding Shift+alt
Then make it like this.
Now. Hit this "mask" on the layer panel and then.
Make sure its black and transparent.
"Drag it up!"
Our Result with our content!
More Tutorials:



