What you'll need:
* Photoshop CS3: This tutorial is specifically for CS3. The interface and some features might be slightly different in other versions.
* A high-resolution portrait photo: Choose a photo with good lighting and a clear subject. A relatively clean background is helpful.
* Bubble images: You'll need some images of bubbles. You can find these online (search for "free bubble images," "bubble PNG," or "bubble stock photos"). Ideally, find a variety of bubble sizes and shapes. Look for images with transparent backgrounds (PNG format). If the backgrounds are not transparent, you'll need to remove them.
* Patience: This process takes time and attention to detail.
Steps:
1. Open the Portrait Photo:
* Launch Photoshop CS3.
* Go to File > Open and select your portrait photo.
2. Prepare the Bubble Images:
* Open Bubble Images: Open each of your bubble images in separate Photoshop windows (File > Open).
* Check Transparency: Verify that your bubble images have transparent backgrounds. If you see a checkered pattern (the transparency grid) behind the bubbles, you're good to go. If they have solid backgrounds, you'll need to remove them (see Step 3).
* Save bubbles as .psd: Save each bubble image as a .psd file. This preserves the transparency information.
3. Remove Backgrounds from Bubbles (if necessary):
* Select a bubble image that needs the background removed.
* Use the Magic Wand Tool (W): Click the Magic Wand Tool in the toolbox. Adjust the *Tolerance* setting in the options bar at the top. A lower tolerance selects a narrower range of colors, while a higher tolerance selects a wider range. Start with a tolerance of around 20-30.
* Click on the background: Click on the background area surrounding the bubble. If it selects too much of the bubble, lower the Tolerance and try again. If it doesn't select enough of the background, increase the tolerance and try again.
* Delete the Background: Press the Delete key (or Backspace). This should remove the selected background. You might need to repeat this process to remove all traces of the background.
* Clean Up Edges (if needed): Use the Eraser Tool (E) at a small size to carefully clean up any remaining artifacts around the edges of the bubble.
* Save as .PSD: After cleaning the image save as .psd file.
4. Start Adding Bubbles to the Portrait:
* Select and Copy a Bubble:
* Go to one of your open bubble image windows (.psd file).
* Use the Move Tool (V).
* Click and drag the bubble directly from its image window to your portrait image window. This will create a new layer in your portrait document.
5. Position, Resize, and Adjust Bubbles:
* Position: Use the Move Tool (V) to drag the bubble to the desired location on the portrait.
* Resize: Press Ctrl + T (or Cmd + T on a Mac) to activate the *Free Transform* tool.
* Hold down the Shift key while dragging a corner handle to resize the bubble proportionally (to avoid distortion).
* Right-click inside the transform box and choose Scale, Rotate, Skew, Distort, or Perspective for more advanced transformations.
* Press Enter to apply the transformation.
* Experiment with Blending Modes: In the *Layers Panel* (Window > Layers), look for the dropdown menu that says "Normal." This is the *Blending Mode*. Experiment with different blending modes like:
* Screen: Makes the dark areas of the bubble transparent, often creating a nice, ethereal effect.
* Overlay: Creates a blended effect, enhancing highlights and shadows.
* Soft Light: A subtle blending mode.
* Multiply: Makes the lighter areas of the bubble transparent, often darkening the underlying image.
* Adjust Opacity: In the *Layers Panel*, adjust the *Opacity* slider for the bubble layer to make it more or less transparent. This can help blend the bubble seamlessly into the portrait.
* Duplicate Bubbles (for more variety): Right-click on a bubble layer in the *Layers Panel* and choose "Duplicate Layer." You can then move, resize, and adjust the duplicated bubble to create more variety.
6. Layer Order:
* Pay attention to the order of the layers in the *Layers Panel*. Layers higher up in the panel are displayed on top of layers below them. Drag layers up or down to change the stacking order of the bubbles. This can affect which bubbles appear in front of or behind others.
7. Adding Shadows (Optional but Recommended):
* To make the bubbles look more realistic, consider adding subtle shadows.
* Create a new layer *below* the bubble layer you want to add the shadow to. Name it something like "Bubble Shadow."
* Use the Brush Tool (B) with a soft, round brush, a low *Opacity* (around 10-20%), and a dark color (e.g., a very dark gray or brown).
* Carefully paint in a small shadow underneath the bubble, in the direction where the light source would be casting a shadow.
* Use the *Blur Tool* (underneath the eye dropper) on the shadow to soften the edges and make it more realistic.
8. Adding Highlights (Optional):
* Similar to adding shadows, you can add subtle highlights to the bubbles to enhance their roundness.
* Create a new layer *above* the bubble layer.
* Use the Brush Tool (B) with a soft, round brush, a low *Opacity*, and a light color (e.g., white or a very light gray).
* Paint in a small highlight on the top or side of the bubble, opposite where the shadow is.
* Use the *Blur Tool* to soften the highlight.
9. Blending and Refinement:
* Gaussian Blur (Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur): For individual bubble layers, a very slight Gaussian Blur can help blend them into the image. Use a small Radius (e.g., 0.5-1.0 pixels).
* Burn and Dodge Tools: The *Burn Tool* (darkens) and *Dodge Tool* (lightens) can be used subtly to refine the shading and highlights on the bubbles. Be very careful not to overdo it.
* Adjustment Layers (non-destructive editing):
* You can add adjustment layers to adjust the colors and tones. For example:
* Brightness/Contrast: Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Brightness/Contrast.
* Color Balance: Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Color Balance.
* Hue/Saturation: Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation.
* Adjust the sliders in the Properties panel (Window > Properties) to tweak the overall look. Experiment with settings until you achieve the desired effect.
10. Save Your Work:
* Save your file as a .PSD file to preserve all the layers and transparency. This allows you to make further edits later.
* When you're finished, save a copy as a .JPG file for sharing or printing. File > Save As > JPG
Tips and Considerations:
* Light Source: Pay attention to the direction of the light in your portrait photo and try to match the lighting on the bubbles. This is crucial for realism.
* Bubble Placement: Think about where bubbles would naturally appear. Consider placing them around the subject's head, shoulders, or in the background.
* Vary Bubble Sizes: Use a variety of bubble sizes to create a more dynamic and interesting composition.
* Subtlety: Don't overdo it! A subtle effect is often more effective than an overwhelming amount of bubbles.
* Experiment: Don't be afraid to try different things and see what works. There's no single "right" way to create a bubble portrait.
* Blending is Key: The secret to a realistic bubble portrait is blending the bubbles seamlessly into the original photo. Take your time and use the techniques described above to achieve a natural look.
* Working Non-Destructively: Always work with layers and adjustment layers, so you can always go back and make changes without destroying the original image data.
By following these steps and practicing, you should be able to create beautiful and unique bubble portraits in Photoshop CS3. Good luck!