I. Conceptual Overview
The basic idea is to:
1. Isolate the Subject: Cut your subject out of the background. This is the most critical and time-consuming step.
2. Create the Bubble(s): Generate a realistic bubble look using gradients, highlights, shadows, and possibly textures.
3. Integrate Subject and Bubble: Place the cut-out subject *inside* the bubble.
4. Add Reflections and Detail: (Optional, but recommended) Add reflections to the bubble and refine the details for realism.
II. Step-by-Step Guide
A. Preparation
1. Choose Your Images:
* Subject Photo: Select a clear, well-lit photo of your subject (person, pet, object). A high-resolution image will give you better results. A headshot or portrait is ideal.
* Background (Optional): Decide if you want a specific background for your portrait or just a solid color. If a background, choose a suitable image. A blurry or out-of-focus background often works well to keep the focus on the subject.
2. Open Images in Photoshop CS3: File > Open, and select your subject photo and background photo (if you are using one).
B. Isolating the Subject
This is the MOST IMPORTANT part and will determine the overall look.
1. Duplicate the Layer: In the Layers panel (usually in the lower-right corner), right-click on your subject's image layer ("Background" by default). Choose "Duplicate Layer". This protects your original image. Rename the duplicated layer something like "Subject".
2. Selection Tools: Photoshop CS3 has several selection tools. Choose the one that's best for your subject and your skill level. Here are the common options:
* Magic Wand Tool (W): Good for images with clear separation between the subject and background based on color/tone. Click on the background areas you want to remove. Adjust "Tolerance" in the options bar at the top to control how much the tool selects. Shift + Click will add to the selection. Alt (Option) + Click will subtract from the selection. Not always the best for complex portraits.
* Magnetic Lasso Tool (L): Tries to "snap" to the edges of your subject. Click and drag around the subject. If it snaps to the wrong spot, Backspace (Delete) will delete the last anchor point. You need to close the selection by clicking on the starting point. Can be useful, but requires a steady hand and good contrast.
* Pen Tool (P): The most accurate, but also the most time-consuming. Click to create anchor points. Click and drag to create curves. Close the path. Once the path is closed, Right-click inside the path and choose "Make Selection".
* Quick Selection Tool (Introduced after CS3, but worth mentioning for future versions): A brush-based tool that detects edges. Paint over the area you want to select.
Tips for Selection:
* Zoom In: Use the Zoom tool (Z) for detailed work.
* Take Your Time: Accuracy is key.
* Feather: Before deleting the background, go to Select > Modify > Feather and set a small Feather Radius (e.g., 0.5 - 2 pixels). This will soften the edges of the selection and make the final result look more natural. Adjust this value depending on your image resolution. Higher resolution = higher feather.
3. Remove the Background: Once you have a selection around your subject:
* Invert Selection (if needed): If you selected the subject *instead* of the background, go to Select > Inverse.
* Delete: Press the Delete key (or Backspace on some keyboards). This will delete the selected area (the background). If you still see the background, make sure you're on the "Subject" layer and not the original "Background" layer.
4. Refine the Edges (Crucial): You'll likely have some rough edges. Here are the best methods in CS3.
* Eraser Tool (E): Use a soft-edged Eraser tool to clean up any stray pixels around the edges of your subject. Lower the opacity of the eraser tool in the options bar for more subtle removal. Zoom in and out frequently.
* Healing Brush Tool (J): Can be used to blend the edge of the subject with the background. Alt-click to define a source point, then paint along the edge.
5. Hide the Original Layer: In the Layers panel, click the eye icon next to the original "Background" layer to hide it. You should now see your cut-out subject against a transparent background (represented by a gray and white checkerboard pattern).
C. Creating the Bubble
1. New Layer: Create a new layer above the "Subject" layer. Click the "Create a new layer" icon at the bottom of the Layers panel. Rename it "Bubble".
2. Elliptical Marquee Tool (M): Select the Elliptical Marquee tool.
3. Draw a Circle: Hold down the Shift key while dragging to create a perfect circle. Make the circle large enough to fully encompass your subject. Position the circle where you want the bubble to be. If you don't like the position or size of the circle, don't deselect it. Choose Select > Transform Selection and adjust its size, position and angle until it looks right.
4. Gradient Fill:
* Set Colors: Set your foreground color to a light, pale blue or white, and your background color to a slightly darker blue or gray. You can click on the color swatches in the Tools panel to choose colors.
* Gradient Tool (G): Select the Gradient Tool. In the options bar at the top:
* Make sure the gradient type is set to "Foreground to Background".
* Choose the "Radial Gradient" (the one that creates a circular gradient).
* Important: Set the blending mode of the Gradient Tool to "Normal".
* Apply the Gradient: Click and drag from the center of the circle outwards towards the edge. Experiment with different starting and ending points to see what gives you the best bubble effect. A short drag will create a tighter gradient, a long drag a more gradual one.
5. Inner Shadow: Add an inner shadow to create the impression of thickness.
* Go to Layer > Layer Style > Inner Shadow.
* Adjust the following settings:
* Blend Mode: Multiply
* Color: Black or a dark gray.
* Opacity: 20-40% (adjust to your liking)
* Angle: Adjust to around 135 degrees (experiment)
* Distance: 5-10 pixels
* Choke: 0%
* Size: 10-20 pixels
* Contour: Linear
6. Highlight: Add a bright highlight to simulate reflected light.
* Create a new layer above the "Bubble" layer, named "Highlight"
* Select a small, soft-edged brush. Set the color to white.
* Paint a small, bright spot on the bubble's surface.
* Change the blend mode of the "Highlight" layer to "Overlay" or "Screen."
* Lower the opacity of the "Highlight" layer if necessary.
D. Integrate Subject and Bubble
1. Arrange Layers: In the Layers panel, make sure the order is:
* "Highlight" (Top)
* "Bubble"
* "Subject"
* "Background" (if using) or a solid color background.
2. Clip Mask (Important): This is how you contain the subject *inside* the bubble.
* Make sure the "Subject" layer is selected.
* Go to Layer > Create Clipping Mask. (Or, hold Alt (Option) and click between the "Bubble" and "Subject" layers in the Layers panel). This will make the subject visible *only* within the bounds of the layer directly below it (the "Bubble" layer). You will see a small arrow next to the "Subject" layer indicating it is clipped.
3. Adjust Position and Size: With the "Subject" layer selected, use the Move Tool (V) to position the subject inside the bubble. Go to Edit > Transform > Scale to resize the subject as needed.
E. Add Reflections and Refinements (Optional, but recommended)
1. Bubble Reflections: Create another new layer above the "Highlight" layer, name it "Reflections". Use a very small, soft-edged white brush to paint tiny reflections on the bubble. Think about what might be reflected: windows, lights, etc. Lower the Opacity of the layer to about 20-40%
2. Bubble Distortion (Advanced):
* Liquify Filter (Filter > Liquify): The Liquify filter can be used to slightly distort the image within the bubble to simulate how light bends through a sphere. It can be tricky to use effectively.
* Spherize Filter (Filter > Distort > Spherize): Apply a slight Spherize filter to a duplicate of the "Subject" layer, then mask it so it only affects the area inside the bubble. This can add a subtle bulging effect.
3. Color Adjustments: Add color correction or curves layers to give the bubble and subject a more unifed look.
III. Troubleshooting and Tips
* Selection Problems: The selection is often the trickiest part. Practice using the different selection tools and learn their nuances.
* Harsh Edges: Feathering the selection is crucial. Also, use the Eraser tool with a very soft brush to blend edges.
* Unrealistic Bubble: Experiment with different gradient colors, blend modes, and opacity settings. Look at real bubbles for reference!
* Layers are Key: Keep your layers organized! Rename them descriptively, and use layer groups (if available in CS3) to group related layers together.
* Non-Destructive Editing: Duplicating the original image is a good practice. Use adjustment layers instead of directly modifying the image for more flexibility.
IV. Saving Your Work
* Save as PSD: File > Save As. Choose "Photoshop (*.PSD, *.PDD)" to preserve all your layers and editing capabilities.
* Save for Web: File > Save for Web & Devices. This allows you to optimize the image for web use (e.g., JPEG, PNG).
Let me know if you have specific questions about any step! Good luck! Remember that this is a creative process, so don't be afraid to experiment and try different things. Also, due to being an older version of Photoshop, it might take a little more effort to achieve the same results as more current versions, so be patient and persistent!