Conceptual Outline:
The basic idea is to:
1. Prepare the Image: Get a good portrait photo.
2. Create Bubbles: Create individual bubble shapes and styles.
3. Position and Scale: Arrange the bubbles around the subject's face to create a portrait.
4. Blend and Refine: Blend the bubbles with the underlying image and add final touches for a realistic or stylized look.
Detailed Steps (with CS3 considerations):
1. Image Preparation
* Open Portrait: File > Open. Choose the portrait image you want to use. A high-resolution image will generally give you better results.
* Duplicate Layer: Layer > Duplicate Layer. This creates a copy of the background layer. Work on the copy so you don't destroy the original.
* Basic Adjustments (Optional):
* Brightness/Contrast: Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast. Slightly adjust the brightness and contrast of the portrait if needed. You want the image to be clear and well-defined.
* Sharpen: Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask. A subtle sharpening can help details stand out. Be careful not to over-sharpen.
* Name the Layer: Double-click the new layer name in the Layers panel and rename it to something like "Portrait".
2. Creating the Bubbles
This is where the creative work happens. There are several ways to create bubbles in CS3. I'll outline a couple of methods:
* Method 1: Using the Elliptical Marquee Tool and Gradients
* Create a New Layer: Layer > New > Layer. Name it "Bubble 1".
* Elliptical Marquee Tool: Select the Elliptical Marquee Tool (M). Hold down Shift while dragging to create a perfect circle (a bubble). Make the selection on the "Bubble 1" layer. The size of the circle determines the size of the bubble.
* Fill with White: Edit > Fill > Use: White.
* Gradient Overlay: Layer > Layer Style > Gradient Overlay.
* Adjust the gradient. Aim for a smooth gradient from white (highlight) to a slightly darker color (e.g., very light blue or gray) to create a rounded, bubble-like effect.
* Important settings in the Gradient Overlay dialog box:
* Blend Mode: Normal
* Opacity: Adjust as needed.
* Style: Radial
* Angle: Adjust to position the highlight.
* Scale: Adjust the size of the gradient.
* Inner Shadow: Layer > Layer Style > Inner Shadow. Add a very subtle inner shadow to give the bubble more depth. Use a light color and small distance.
* Important settings in the Inner Shadow dialog box:
* Blend Mode: Multiply
* Opacity: Very Low (e.g. 5-15%)
* Angle: Adjust based on your light source.
* Distance: Small (e.g. 1-5 pixels)
* Size: Small (e.g. 3-7 pixels)
* Highlight: Use the brush tool (white) with a very soft brush (0% hardness) to manually add a highlight where light would naturally reflect on the bubble. Use a low opacity (e.g., 10-20%).
* Duplicate the Bubble Layer: (Layer > Duplicate Layer) to make variations. You'll be using multiple bubbles, so create several copies.
* Method 2: Using Custom Shapes (Limited in CS3 but still useful)
* Custom Shape Tool: (U) Select the custom shape tool.
* Find Bubble-Like Shapes: Check if there are suitable bubble shapes in the default CS3 shapes, or you can find and download custom shapes online that are compatible with CS3.
* Draw Shape: Draw the shape on a new layer.
* Apply Layer Styles: Use the Gradient Overlay, Inner Shadow, and possibly Outer Glow (very subtle) as described in Method 1 to create a bubble effect.
3. Positioning and Scaling the Bubbles
* Move Tool: Use the Move Tool (V) to move each bubble layer and position it on the portrait.
* Transform: Edit > Transform > Scale/Rotate/Skew/Distort. Use these tools to adjust the size and orientation of the bubbles to fit the contours of the face and create a dynamic arrangement. Hold Shift while scaling to constrain proportions. Experiment with rotating and slightly distorting the bubbles for a more organic look.
* Layer Order: In the Layers panel, rearrange the order of the bubble layers so that some bubbles appear in front of others, adding depth.
* Vary Sizes: Use different sizes of bubbles for a more natural feel. Large bubbles can be placed in areas with less detail, while smaller bubbles can be used to fill in gaps or create intricate patterns.
4. Blending and Refining
* Opacity Adjustments: In the Layers panel, adjust the opacity of individual bubble layers to control how much they blend with the underlying portrait. Lower opacity creates a more subtle effect.
* Blending Modes: Experiment with different blending modes for the bubble layers (e.g., Screen, Overlay, Soft Light). These can create interesting visual effects.
* Masking: Use Layer Masks (Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal All) to selectively hide parts of the bubbles. This is useful for blending bubbles seamlessly with the portrait or creating the illusion that some bubbles are partially obscured by the subject's hair or clothing. Use a soft black brush on the mask to hide areas, and a white brush to reveal them.
* Dodging and Burning: Use the Dodge (O) and Burn (O) tools (select from the Options bar) to subtly lighten or darken areas of the bubbles to enhance the lighting and give them more dimension. Use very low exposure settings (e.g., 5-10%) and small brush sizes.
* Shadows (Optional): If you want to add subtle shadows cast by the bubbles onto the face, create a new layer, set the blending mode to Multiply, use a soft black brush with very low opacity, and gently paint in shadows where appropriate.
5. Final Touches
* Color Correction (Optional): If the overall image needs color adjustment, use Image > Adjustments > Color Balance or Hue/Saturation to tweak the colors.
* Sharpening (Subtle): Apply a final subtle sharpening to the entire image if needed.
* Save: File > Save As. Save your work as a Photoshop PSD file to preserve layers and make future edits. Then save a flattened version (e.g., JPEG) for sharing.
Important CS3 Considerations:
* Limited Features: CS3 lacks some of the newer features of Photoshop, such as content-aware fill and advanced masking tools, which can make certain tasks easier. Be prepared to use more manual techniques.
* Shape Options: CS3's shape options are more limited than later versions. You may need to rely more on creating bubbles manually with the Elliptical Marquee Tool.
* Performance: Large files with many layers can slow down CS3. Save frequently and consider working on a smaller version of the image and then scaling up later.
Tips for Success:
* Practice: Experiment with different bubble styles, sizes, and placements.
* Reference Images: Look at real bubble photos or other bubble art for inspiration.
* Subtlety: Don't overdo it. A subtle and well-blended bubble effect can be more effective than a busy and unrealistic one.
* Light and Shadow: Pay attention to how light and shadow interact with the bubbles to create a believable effect.
* Patience: Creating a good bubble portrait takes time and attention to detail.
By following these steps and experimenting with the available tools in Photoshop CS3, you can create a unique and visually interesting bubble portrait. Remember to have fun and be creative! Good luck!