Alibony Design and Graphics Blog

10 Tips for Better Photos

Karen — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:26:56 +0000

Have you ever taken a photo and discovered later that the baby has a tree sticking out of her head? Or that breathtaking landscape looks lifeless in print? You know how frustrating it is when your photos don’t measure up to the moment you tried to capture. Our best photos tell a story of a memory we want to keep, of an experience we want to share, of delight in color, texture and shape. Here are ten tips that can help you take better photos and make your stories sparkle.

Read article: 10 Tips for Better Photos

Alibony Video – Photo Fix – Backlit Punch

Karen — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:08:35 +0000

In this Photoshop Elements 8 video, we’ll fix a dull backlit photo to punch up the color and contrast. This technique works well when your photo is backlit and some important details are hidden in shade. View full size video…

Alibony Video – Part 2: Using Photo Masks

Karen — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 14:14:53 +0000

In this Photoshop Elements 8 video, learn how to apply a photo mask to a photo. See Lesson 45 to learn how to create your own photo masks.

View full size…

Alibony Video – Part 1: Using Photo Masks

Karen — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 14:10:59 +0000

A big “Thank You” to Margaret, who suggested this lesson on the Alibony Facebook page. Come join us over on Facebook and tell me what you would like to learn, too.

In this Photoshop Elements 8 video, learn how to create a photo mask to frame your photos with swirls and text. See Lesson 46 to learn how to apply the photo mask to your photos.

Resources for free swirl brushes:

30 Free Photoshop Swirl Brushes – Smashing Magazine
Obsidian Dawn

View full size video…

Alibony Video – Add a Layer Mask Action

Karen — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:34:43 +0000

In this Photoshop Elements 8 video, learn how to add a layer mask to any layer using a free Layer Mask action. View full video…

Download and install the free Layer Mask action…

B is for Bee

Karen — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 13:17:04 +0000

B is for Bee, originally uploaded by brockney52.

B is also for Better.

Don’t throw away those disappointing photos! You may be able to make them better with a good crop, Levels adjustment and sharpening. This photo started out as this:

Alibony Video – Bring Out the Details in Whites

Karen — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 21:18:34 +0000

In this Photoshop Elements 8 video, learn how to bring out the details in the white areas of your photos. View full video…

Alibony Quick Clip – Paint with blend modes

Karen — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 02:33:13 +0000

In this Photoshop Elements 8 quick clip, give a tortoise a pedicure and learn how to paint with blend modes. View full article…

Alibony Video – Create Virtual Stencil Graffiti

Karen — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 02:15:15 +0000

I’ve been fascinated and delighted by the skills of street artists, especially Banksy and other street artists who combine precut stencils, spray paint and text in unique and compelling ways. This type of street art often conveys a memorable social message, too. In this lesson, learn how to create your own virtual stencil graffiti. View full size…

Alibony Quick Clip – Straighten a Photo Horizontally or Vertically

Karen — Tue, 25 May 2010 15:32:03 +0000

In this short video lesson, learn how to straighten a photo horizontally or vertically using the Straighten tool. View larger video…