I. Preparation & Requirements:
* Photoshop CS3: Obviously!
* A Good Portrait Photo: Choose a high-resolution photo of a person. Portraits with solid backgrounds work best because they make the initial cutout process easier.
* Bubble Images/Textures (Optional): You can either create bubbles from scratch (more time-consuming) or use existing images of bubbles. Stock photos of bubbles (isolated on a black background) are ideal. You can also create a bubble texture by photographing a soapy water solution and then manipulating it in Photoshop.
* Patience: This project requires some precision and layering.
II. Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Isolate the Portrait Subject:
* Open the Portrait Image: File > Open.
* Duplicate the Background Layer: Right-click the "Background" layer in the Layers panel and select "Duplicate Layer." This is good practice in case you need to revert to the original. Name the new layer something like "Subject."
* Selection Tools: Use one of the selection tools to isolate the person. Photoshop CS3 doesn't have the same advanced selection tools as newer versions, so here are your best options:
* Magnetic Lasso Tool: (L) This is often the best choice. Carefully trace around the subject. It snaps to edges, but you'll still need to guide it. Adjust the settings (Width, Contrast, Frequency) in the options bar for best results. Zoom in close for details.
* Pen Tool: (P) This is the most accurate but requires more skill. Create a precise path around the subject, then right-click the path and select "Make Selection."
* Quick Selection Tool: (Newer Photoshop versions have this tool, not CS3. Disregard this point.)
* Color Range (Select > Color Range): If the background is a very distinct color, you can try selecting the background color range and then inverting the selection (Select > Inverse) to select the subject. This is less reliable than the other methods.
* Refine the Selection: After making the initial selection, you might need to clean it up.
* Add to Selection: If you missed parts of the subject, hold down the Shift key while using a selection tool to add to the existing selection.
* Subtract from Selection: Hold down the Alt/Option key while using a selection tool to subtract from the existing selection.
* Copy and Paste or Layer Mask:
* Method 1 (Copy and Paste): Once the selection is good, press Ctrl/Cmd + C to copy. Create a new layer (Layer > New > Layer). Press Ctrl/Cmd + V to paste the selection onto the new layer. Name this layer "Subject Isolated." Turn off the visibility of the "Subject" layer to see the isolated subject on a transparent background.
* Method 2 (Layer Mask): Keep the selection active on the "Subject" Layer. Click the "Add Layer Mask" button at the bottom of the Layers panel. This creates a mask that hides everything outside of the selection. This is the preferred method because it's non-destructive; you can always edit the mask later to refine the cutout.
2. Create Bubble Elements (if you're not using pre-made bubble images):
* New Document: File > New. Create a small document, maybe 200x200 pixels, with a transparent background.
* Ellipse Tool: Select the Ellipse Tool (found under the Rectangle Tool). Hold down Shift to create a perfect circle. Fill it with a light color (like white or a very light blue).
* Gradient Overlay: In the Layers panel, right-click on the bubble layer and select "Blending Options." Add a Gradient Overlay. Experiment with different gradient colors (white to a light color, or light blue to darker blue). Adjust the angle, scale, and opacity until you get a bubble-like effect.
* Inner Shadow: Add an Inner Shadow in the Blending Options. Adjust the color, opacity, distance, and size to give the bubble some depth.
* Highlights: Create a new layer above the bubble layer. Use the Brush Tool (B) with a small, soft brush and white color to paint small highlights on the bubble to simulate reflected light. Set the layer's blending mode to "Overlay" or "Screen" and reduce the opacity.
* Variations: Duplicate the bubble layer several times and slightly adjust the gradient, inner shadow, and highlights to create a variety of bubble shapes and sizes.
3. Prepare Bubble Images (If you're using pre-made bubble images):
* Open the bubble images: File > Open.
* Isolate Bubbles: If the bubbles are on a black background, you can use the "Screen" blending mode (described below) to easily make the black disappear. If not, you'll need to use selection tools (Lasso, Magic Wand) to isolate individual bubbles and copy/paste them into your portrait document. Adjust the size and position of each copied bubble.
4. Composite the Bubbles onto the Portrait:
* Arrange Layers: Make sure your "Subject Isolated" layer is above the original "Background" layer. Put the bubble layers *above* the "Subject Isolated" layer.
* Position and Resize Bubbles: Use the Move Tool (V) to drag the bubble layers onto the portrait. Use Edit > Transform > Scale to resize the bubbles to various sizes. Some bubbles should be smaller and more distant, while others should be larger and closer.
* Blending Modes: Experiment with blending modes in the Layers panel to make the bubbles look more realistic. Select a bubble layer and try these blending modes:
* Screen: Makes the dark areas of the bubble disappear, leaving only the highlights. This works well for bubbles on a black background.
* Overlay: Blends the bubble's colors with the colors of the underlying layers.
* Soft Light: Subtle blending effect.
* Color Dodge: Creates bright highlights.
* Lighten: Makes the darker areas of the bubble transparent.
* Opacity: Adjust the opacity of the bubble layers to make them appear more transparent and blend better with the subject.
* Placement: Focus on placing bubbles around the subject's head, shoulders, and perhaps floating upwards. Create a natural-looking distribution. Overlapping bubbles can add realism.
* Blur (Optional): Select some of the bubble layers and apply a slight Gaussian Blur (Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur). This can help create a sense of depth. Bubbles further away should have more blur. Be subtle with the blur; too much will look unrealistic.
* Layer Masks on Bubbles (Optional): If a bubble is overlapping the subject in an unnatural way, add a layer mask to the bubble layer and use a soft, black brush to paint away the parts of the bubble that shouldn't be visible. This helps to create the illusion that the bubbles are wrapping around the subject.
5. Color Correction and Final Touches:
* Adjust Colors: Consider adding a color adjustment layer (Layer > New Adjustment Layer) like Curves, Levels, or Color Balance to fine-tune the overall colors of the image and make the bubbles and the subject look more harmonious.
* Sharpen (Optional): If needed, apply a slight Unsharp Mask (Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask) to the image to enhance the details. Be careful not to over-sharpen, as it can create unwanted artifacts.
* Save: File > Save As. Save as a .PSD file to preserve the layers for future editing. Also, save a flattened copy as a .JPG or .PNG for sharing.
Tips for CS3:
* Zooming: Use the Zoom Tool (Z) to zoom in close for precise selections and adjustments.
* History Palette: The History palette (Window > History) is your friend. It lets you undo multiple steps if you make a mistake.
* Shortcuts: Learn the keyboard shortcuts for common tasks (e.g., Ctrl/Cmd + Z for undo, Ctrl/Cmd + S for save).
* Experiment: Don't be afraid to try different techniques and settings. The best way to learn is to experiment.
* Resource limitations: As you add more layers, Photoshop CS3 may slow down. Save your work frequently.
Example Workflow Summary (Using Pre-Made Bubble Images):
1. Open portrait, duplicate layer.
2. Cut out the subject using Magnetic Lasso, make a layer mask.
3. Open bubble images.
4. Drag bubble images into portrait document.
5. Adjust bubble sizes and positions (Edit > Transform > Scale).
6. Set bubble layer blending modes to Screen or Overlay.
7. Adjust bubble layer opacities.
8. Apply Gaussian Blur to some bubble layers for depth.
9. Add layer masks to bubbles that overlap the subject awkwardly.
10. Adjust colors, save.
This should give you a comprehensive guide on how to create a bubble portrait in Photoshop CS3. Good luck!