Overall Concept:
The general idea is to isolate your subject, then add bubbles around them to create a whimsical and visually appealing portrait. You'll achieve this using layers, selections, blending modes, and potentially some stock images or brush techniques.
Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Open Your Image:
- In Photoshop CS3, go to `File > Open` and select the portrait you want to use. Ideally, choose a portrait with a clear background or one that's relatively easy to isolate.
2. Isolate Your Subject (The Hard Part):
- This is the most crucial and potentially time-consuming step. You need to separate the person from the background. Here are a few methods you can use:
* Magic Wand Tool (W):
- Select the Magic Wand tool.
- In the options bar at the top, adjust the Tolerance (start with around 20-30 and experiment). Lower tolerance selects fewer similar colors; higher tolerance selects more.
- Uncheck "Contiguous" if the background is not connected.
- Click on the background. If it selects too much or too little, undo (`Ctrl+Z`/`Cmd+Z`) and adjust the Tolerance.
- Once the background is selected, go to `Select > Inverse` to select your subject.
- Refine the selection: Go to `Select > Modify > Contract` (small amount, like 1-2 pixels) to tighten the selection. Or `Select > Modify > Expand` (also a small amount) to add slightly to your selection. This often helps avoid harsh edges.
- Save the selection: `Select > Save Selection` gives the option to name and retrieve it later. This is useful if you mess up and want to go back to the original selection.
* Magnetic Lasso Tool (L):
- Select the Magnetic Lasso tool.
- Click once on the edge of your subject to start creating a selection outline.
- Slowly move the lasso along the edge. It will try to "snap" to the edge. If it's not working well, click periodically to force a point.
- To close the selection, click back on your starting point.
- Again, refine the selection with `Select > Modify > Contract/Expand`.
* Pen Tool (P): (Most accurate, but requires practice)
- Select the Pen tool.
- Click to create anchor points along the edge of your subject. For curves, click and drag to create handles that control the curve.
- Close the path by clicking on your starting point.
- Right-click inside the path and choose "Make Selection".
- Feather Radius: 0 pixels is usually fine. Anti-aliased should be checked.
- Refine as needed.
3. Copy and Paste the Subject onto a New Layer:
- Once your subject is selected, press `Ctrl+C` (Windows) or `Cmd+C` (Mac) to copy the selection.
- Go to `Edit > Paste`. This will paste the subject onto a new layer (Layer 1 or similar).
- Rename the layer with your subject’s name, e.g. "Subject".
4. Create a New Background Layer (Optional):
- If you want a different background, create a new layer `Layer > New > Layer...` and drag it *below* the "Subject" layer in the Layers panel.
- Fill this new layer with a color of your choice using the Paint Bucket Tool (G) or by going to `Edit > Fill` and selecting a color.
5. Adding the Bubbles:
- Now comes the fun part. There are several ways to add bubbles:
* Bubble Stock Images:
- Search for "bubble png" or "transparent bubble" online (be mindful of copyright!). PNG format is important because it supports transparency.
- `File > Open` to open the bubble image in Photoshop.
- Use the Move Tool (V) to drag the bubble image onto your main document. It will create a new layer.
- Resize: `Edit > Transform > Scale` to resize the bubble.
- Position: Use the Move Tool to position the bubble where you want it.
- Blending Mode: Experiment with blending modes in the Layers panel. Try "Screen" or "Lighten" to blend the bubbles into the background and give them a more transparent look.
- Duplicate: Duplicate the bubble layer (`Ctrl+J` / `Cmd+J`) to create more bubbles. Vary their sizes, positions, and rotations (`Edit > Transform > Rotate`) to make them look more natural.
- Blur: Apply a slight Gaussian Blur (`Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur`) to some of the bubbles to create depth and make them look more realistic. A radius of 1-3 pixels is usually enough.
* Bubble Brushes:
- Search online for "free Photoshop bubble brushes" (again, watch for licensing).
- Download and install the brushes. In Photoshop CS3, go to the Brush Tool (B), click the dropdown menu where you pick your brush, click the small arrow in the top-right corner, then "Load Brushes..." and select the brush file you downloaded.
- Create a new layer for the bubbles (`Layer > New > Layer...`).
- Select the Brush Tool (B) and choose one of the bubble brushes.
- Adjust the brush size and color in the options bar at the top.
- Click on the image to stamp the bubbles.
- Vary the bubbles: Change the brush size and color frequently, and experiment with opacity in the Layers panel to create a more dynamic effect. You can also duplicate the layer and adjust blending modes.
- Blur: Add a slight Gaussian Blur to some bubble layers.
* Creating Bubbles Manually (More Advanced):
- Create a new layer.
- Use the Elliptical Marquee Tool (M) to draw a circle. Hold `Shift` while dragging to make it a perfect circle.
- Fill the circle with a light color (e.g., light blue or white).
- Add a gradient overlay (`Layer > Layer Style > Gradient Overlay`). Experiment with different gradients (e.g., radial gradients with white and light blue).
- Add a stroke (`Layer > Layer Style > Stroke`) to give the bubble an outline. Use a thin, light color.
- Use the Dodge Tool (O) and Burn Tool (O) to add highlights and shadows to the bubble. This will give it a more three-dimensional look.
- Add a small, bright white spot with the brush tool for a highlight reflection.
6. Adjusting Bubble Realism:
- Opacity: Adjust the opacity of the bubble layers to make them look more transparent.
- Blur: Use Gaussian Blur sparingly to create depth. Bubbles further away should have more blur.
- Shadows: Consider adding subtle shadows from the bubbles onto the subject or the background to ground them in the scene. You can do this using a very soft, low-opacity brush on a new layer set to Multiply blending mode.
7. Color Correction & Final Touches:
- Adjustment Layers: Use adjustment layers (`Layer > New Adjustment Layer`) to fine-tune the overall color, contrast, and brightness of the image.
- Levels: Adjust the overall brightness and contrast.
- Curves: More precise control over brightness and contrast.
- Color Balance: Adjust the overall color tones.
- Sharpening: Apply a subtle sharpening filter (`Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask`) to the subject to bring out details. Be careful not to over-sharpen.
8. Save Your Work:
- Save your work in PSD format (`File > Save As...`) to preserve the layers for future editing.
- Save a flattened copy as JPEG (`File > Save As...`) for sharing.
Tips and Troubleshooting (Specifically for CS3):
* Performance: Photoshop CS3 can be slower than newer versions, especially with many layers. Save frequently! Close other applications to free up memory.
* Finding Resources: Use websites like DeviantArt, Brusheezy, or similar sites to find free brushes, textures, and stock images.
* Experiment: Don't be afraid to try different blending modes, brush settings, and filters. The key to creating a great bubble portrait is experimentation.
* Patience: Isolating the subject accurately takes time and practice. Don't get discouraged if your first attempt isn't perfect.
* Blending Modes: Experiment with Multiply, Screen, Overlay, and Soft Light blending modes to see how they affect the interaction of layers.
* Layer Masks: Layer masks are powerful tools that allow you to non-destructively hide parts of a layer. If you want to fine-tune the edges of your subject, add a layer mask to the "Subject" layer.
Example Workflow:
1. Open your portrait.
2. Isolate the person using the Pen Tool.
3. Copy and paste the person onto a new layer ("Subject").
4. Create a new background layer and fill it with a blue gradient.
5. Find a bubble stock image (PNG) and open it in Photoshop.
6. Drag the bubble image onto your main document.
7. Resize and position the bubbles.
8. Duplicate the bubble layer several times, varying the size and position.
9. Apply a slight Gaussian Blur to some of the bubbles.
10. Adjust the opacity of the bubble layers to make them look transparent.
11. Create a new layer and add a subtle shadow under the bubbles using a soft, low-opacity brush set to Multiply blending mode.
12. Use Adjustment Layers (Levels and Color Balance) to fine-tune the colors and contrast.
13. Save the PSD file.
14. Save a JPEG copy.
This detailed guide will hopefully give you a strong foundation for creating stunning bubble portraits in Photoshop CS3. Good luck, and have fun experimenting!