Credits earned for writing this tutorial:
1000 ($10)
Portrait used from sxc.hu
http://www.sxc.hu/browse.phtml?f=view&id=932746
Here you can see the original photo and the end result.

Make a background copy.
Layer>duplicate layer

We need a bit more contrast.
Layer>
new adjustment layer>
brightness/contrast

Every time you use a layer adjustment, check (v) -use previous layer to create clipping mask-
In other steps, when we change the color or the levels, we always create a clipping mask.
I used +20 for brightness and contrast, but it differs for every photo, so play a bit with the settings till you are happy about it.

If you are happy about the contrast, merge the clipping mask.


(65 days ago)