For this design we want to have a nice sunset background. I'm using one of my hundreds from my Photos.com portfolio. You can also get this design from the iPSDirectory with my Photoshop Designer Package. For now I'll retain the image size (at 72 dpi) but I don't want to work on the original because I might forget to save a copy. Go to Image: Duplicate. This creates an exact copy of your document. Prepare to use the Photoshop blending modes.
Now go ahead and duplicate the original layer and select the background layer in the palette and fill it with white (Alt/Opt Backspace).
Now we're just going to create a simple screening effect so lower the opacity of the top layer.
Drag in your desired Honeymoon couple shot with the moVe tool.
On this layer use the time-tested gradient masking technique with linear gradient tool, black as foreground after creating a layer mask. We want to get rid of those harsh edges and create a soft blend.
Lower the opacity for now.
Bring in another Photos.com image (if you have them) otherwise find something like a large colorful flower. Change the blending mode to the popular 'Overlay'.
Create a layer mask and use linear gradient to get rid of that harsh bottom edge.
Use Ctrl/Cmd 'T' and hold Shift to scale down the layer to a more manageable size (if necessary). It's always safer to scale down instead of up so you retain pixel quality unless you've got Extensis SmartScale.
Check this out: Select a pink color from the Swatch palette. Select
the white background layer in the layers palette by clicking on it.
Press Alt Backspace to fill it with the color.
See what happens?! We've just created what I call a color underlay.
Because we have blending modes and opacity, the layers above it will
'bleed' on through to the color underlay. I use this technique a
lot. You can also use color overlays.
Change the layer of the newlyweds to the B mode Hard Light.
I love creating designs that have a global color theme going on. And
you just gotta love the Photoshop Blending modes! There's just too much creative
power there just waiting for you to harness.
I've created a layer mask on the sunset layer. Using the radial
gradient I'm masking some of these pixels to let some of the pink
underlay layer show through.
If you want, go ahead and experiment with duplicating the layer
again (for you design) and change to a different blending mode. Find
the right balance that you think works.
Note that we see part of the beach showing through on the
bride...this is deliberate and is there because of the blending
mode. You can get rid of it in many different ways (such as Normal
blending mode and creating a Hue adjustment to match the global
color theme).
Add some appropriate text which instantly becomes 'Typography' because it is deliberate and fits in with the rest of the design.
Use the layer centering technique by linking the text layer with the background layer, select the bkg layer in the L palette and align horizontal centers as shown. You can then de-link them if you want.
Here are two different variations. One with the newlyweds on Hard Light and the other on Lighten Blending Mode. You could now create two different layers comps or File: Save as: to retain two different .jpg's of this .psd file.
So why does this design work? Well, first of all...beauty is in the
eye of the beerholder, but..
When you start combining independent elements called 'layers'
together using powerful features within Photoshop with some vision
or experience you can start to create some cool stuff.
It works because, let's see....sunset ocean + newlyweds + romantic
color + appropriate text + subtle flower of new life + Photoshop
Designer= a winner.
Blending mode magic.
OR...you + complete training = winner
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