Open an image/photograph, preferable a head shot as these work best for the rest of the tutorial I'll be covering here.
I've just gone through the tutorial, and here is the before image alongside the after image:
I love the process the author of the tutorial uses to create the subtle brushing in that effect. Nicely done!
Ok, now to my portion of the tutorial.
1. Once you have your image ready, collapse it. Duplicate the background layer.
2. With the duplicate layer selected in the Layers Palette, go to Edit>Transform>Flip Vertical.
3. This next part of the process is basically covering the seamless tutorial we did on texture photos a few weeks ago, but wait until you see the result! With the duplicate layer selected, click the â 'Add a mask' icon on the bottom of the layers palette. The foreground/background colors should default to Black/White respectively.
4. Before we apply the mask, let's square things up a bit. Go to Image>Image Size and set the size to 3 inches x 3 inches, resolution 96 DPI.
5. Now select the Gradient tool. Set your gradient up so that there is a fairly stark division between the 2 colors.
Also, make sure the Linear Gradient is selected.
6. Starting at the top edge of the image, draw the gradient down to the bottom edge. Use a strait vertical lineâ any variation will mess up the end effect. Your image should appear reflected, like this example:
7. Go to Layer>Merge Visible. Duplicate this newly merged layer. Select the Duplicate again and go to Edit>Transform>Flip Horizontal.
8. Again, Click the Add a Mask Icon. This time draw your gradient from the left edge to the right edge, as strait as possible. Here is the result:
Pete
Bauer is the Help Desk Director for NAPP, as well
as a Contributing Writer for Photoshop User and Mac Design
magazines. His books include "Special Edition Using
Adobe Photoshop 7" (with Jeff Foster), "Special
Edition Using Adobe Illustrator 10," "Sams Teach
Yourself Adobe Illustrator 10 in 24 Hours" (with Mordy
Golding), and "Special Edition Using Adobe Illustrator
9." Pete writes documentation for a variety of computer
graphics related products, as well as testing software
for a number of companies. As a computer graphics efficiency
consultant, Pete specializes in customized training programs.
He is based in Columbus, Ohio, and can be contacted via
