1. Isolating a subject (the person/object you want in the bubble).
2. Creating a bubble shape.
3. Adding highlights and shadows to simulate the transparency and reflection of a bubble.
4. Combining the subject within the bubble and blending everything together.
Keep in mind: Photoshop CS3 is quite old. Some steps might be simpler in newer versions, but this approach will work. I'll provide workarounds where needed.
Here's a step-by-step guide:
I. Preparation:
1. Open Your Image: In Photoshop CS3, go to `File > Open` and select the portrait you want to use.
2. Duplicate the Background Layer: In the Layers panel (Window > Layers if it's not visible), right-click the "Background" layer and choose "Duplicate Layer." This protects your original image. Name the duplicate layer something like "Subject."
3. Optional: Crop the Image If the image has too much background, use the Crop Tool (C) to crop the image to a better size.
II. Isolating the Subject:
This is the most crucial and potentially time-consuming step. You need to remove the background around your subject so you can place them inside the bubble. Several methods exist in CS3, each with pros and cons. I'll outline a few:
* A. The Pen Tool (Best for complex shapes):
1. Select the Pen Tool (P). In the options bar at the top, make sure "Paths" is selected (not "Shape Layers").
2. Carefully click and drag around the edge of your subject, creating a path. This is tedious but gives you the most control. Aim for accuracy, but don't worry about pixel-perfect accuracy, especially if the bubble will add some blur.
3. Once you've closed the path (the first point and last point connect), right-click inside the path and choose "Make Selection."
4. In the "Make Selection" dialog, feather the selection by a small amount (0.5 - 1 pixel) to soften the edges. Click "OK."
5. Go to `Select > Inverse`. This selects the *background* instead of your subject.
6. Press the `Delete` key. This removes the background. If you see the background still, make sure you are on the "Subject" Layer in the layers panel.
7. `Select > Deselect` or CTRL+D to remove selection.
* B. Magic Wand Tool (Good for simple backgrounds):
1. Select the Magic Wand Tool (W).
2. In the options bar, adjust the "Tolerance" setting. Lower tolerance selects only pixels very similar in color; higher tolerance selects a wider range of colors. Experiment to find a setting that selects the background well without including parts of your subject. Consider the "Contiguous" checkbox, where it will select only adjacent pixels.
3. Click on the background. If it selects too much or too little, adjust the Tolerance and try again.
4. If the selection is imperfect, you can *add* to the selection by holding `Shift` while clicking with the Magic Wand. You can *subtract* from the selection by holding `Alt` while clicking.
5. After selecting background press the `Delete` key.
6. `Select > Deselect` or CTRL+D to remove selection.
* C. Quick Selection Tool (CS3 Version - Less Refined):
1. Select the Quick Selection Tool (usually under the Magic Wand Tool).
2. Click and drag over the subject. It attempts to automatically select the edges.
3. Use `Shift` to add to the selection and `Alt` to subtract.
4. `Select > Inverse` to select the background and press `Delete` to remove the background.
5. `Select > Deselect` or CTRL+D to remove selection.
* D. Background Eraser Tool
1. Select the Background Eraser Tool.
2. Adjust the "Tolerance" setting similar to the Magic Wand tool.
3. Carefully click and drag around the subject, erasing the background.
Important Notes on Isolation:
* Zoom In: Zoom in (Ctrl + +) for precise selection work.
* Refine Edges: After making a selection (using any method), you can sometimes improve the edge with `Select > Modify > Contract/Expand/Feather`. Feather is especially useful for softening the edges of the cutout. The Contract and Expand option can select and deselect some of the edges.
III. Creating the Bubble Shape:
1. New Layer: Create a new layer above your "Subject" layer. Name it "Bubble." `Layer > New > Layer`.
2. Elliptical Marquee Tool: Select the Elliptical Marquee Tool (M). Hold `Shift` while dragging to create a perfect circle. Create a circle that is large enough to comfortably contain your subject.
3. Fill with Color: Choose a light gray or very light blue as your foreground color. Press `Alt + Backspace` (or `Option + Delete` on Mac) to fill the circle with the foreground color.
* `Select > Deselect` or CTRL+D to remove selection.
IV. Adding Bubble Highlights and Shadows:
This is where you make the shape look like a transparent bubble.
1. Inner Shadow:
* Double-click the "Bubble" layer in the Layers panel to open the Layer Style dialog.
* Select "Inner Shadow."
* Adjust the following settings:
* Blend Mode: Multiply
* Color: Darker Gray or light Blue
* Opacity: Adjust to taste (20-40% is a good starting point).
* Angle: Experiment to find an angle that looks natural based on your light source.
* Distance: A small distance (around 5-10 pixels)
* Choke: 0
* Size: Adjust to soften the shadow (around 10-20 pixels)
* Click "OK."
2. Inner Glow:
* Again, double-click the "Bubble" layer in the Layers panel to open the Layer Style dialog.
* Select "Inner Glow."
* Adjust the following settings:
* Blend Mode: Screen or Color Dodge
* Opacity: Adjust to taste (20-40% is a good starting point).
* Color: White or very light blue.
* Source: Edge
* Size: Adjust to create a soft glow (around 10-20 pixels)
* Click "OK."
3. Optional: Additional Highlights (Brush Tool):
* Create a new layer *above* the "Bubble" layer. Name it "Highlights."
* Select the Brush Tool (B). Choose a soft, round brush with a small size.
* Set the foreground color to white.
* Reduce the brush's opacity in the options bar (around 20-30%).
* Gently paint small, bright highlights along the edge of the bubble where light would realistically hit.
V. Placing the Subject Inside the Bubble:
1. Reposition the Subject: Click on the "Subject" layer. Use the Move Tool (V) to drag and position the subject inside the bubble. Resize the subject (Edit > Transform > Scale) if necessary to fit appropriately within the bubble. Hold `Shift` while scaling to maintain proportions.
2. Clipping Mask: This is the key to making the subject appear *inside* the bubble.
* Make sure the "Subject" layer is directly above the "Bubble" layer in the Layers panel.
* Right-click on the "Subject" layer and choose "Create Clipping Mask." Alternatively, hover your mouse between the "Subject" and "Bubble" layers in the Layers panel. Hold `Alt` and you should see a downward arrow appear. Click your mouse.
* The subject will now be clipped to the shape of the bubble. Only the parts of the subject that overlap the bubble shape will be visible.
VI. Blending and Final Touches:
1. Shadow Under the Bubble:
* Create a new layer *below* the "Bubble" layer. Name it "Bubble Shadow."
* Select the Elliptical Marquee Tool (M). Draw a flattened ellipse at the bottom of the bubble.
* Fill the ellipse with a dark gray color.
* Go to `Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur`. Adjust the radius (around 5-15 pixels) to soften the shadow.
* Reduce the opacity of the "Bubble Shadow" layer to around 30-50%.
2. Optional: Bubble Reflection:
* Duplicate the layer called "Bubble." Place it above the "Subject" layer.
* Go to `Edit > Transform > Flip Vertical`.
* Reduce the opacity of the duplicated "Bubble" layer significantly (10-20%).
* Use the Move Tool (V) to position it near the top edge of the original bubble, creating a subtle reflection effect.
* Add a layer mask to this layer to control the reflection if required.
3. Adjusting Layer Opacities: Experiment with the opacity of the "Bubble," "Highlights," and "Bubble Shadow" layers to achieve the desired level of transparency and realism.
4. Final Sharpening: After you're happy with the result, you can optionally sharpen the entire image slightly. `Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask`. Use very subtle settings.
VII. Saving Your Work:
* Save as PSD: `File > Save As` and save as a PSD file. This preserves all your layers and allows you to edit the file later.
* Save as JPG: `File > Save As` and save as a JPG file for sharing online.
Troubleshooting & Tips for CS3:
* Zooming: Use the Zoom Tool (Z) or Ctrl + + / Ctrl + - to zoom in and out.
* History Panel: Use the History panel (Window > History) to undo mistakes.
* Non-Destructive Editing: Try to use adjustment layers (Layer > New Adjustment Layer) instead of directly modifying the pixels of the image. This allows you to change the adjustments later without damaging the original image data.
* Practice: Creating realistic effects takes practice. Don't be discouraged if your first attempt isn't perfect.
* Simplify: Don't try to overdo the highlights and shadows. Subtlety often looks more realistic.
* Experiment: Play with different blend modes and opacities to see what results you can achieve.
* Layer Order: The order of your layers in the Layers panel is crucial. The layers are stacked on top of each other.
This detailed guide should help you create a convincing bubble portrait effect in Photoshop CS3. Good luck!