Weekly Photoshop Challenge

Will I ever be back?

2008-01-06T04:55:00.000-08:00

Working full-time now as a Graphic Artist...lots of overtime...no time for me. BUT...maybe one day when my life slows down I will be back!

Sad to say...

2006-06-29T12:16:00.000-07:00

I have decided to shut down the "Weekly Photoshop Challenge" for the summer due to lack of interest.

Please look for more to come in the fall...and, don't stop playing and becoming more familiar with Photoshop and the neat things you can do with this wonderful application.

Also, check out my Photoshop blog from time to time, Just Because³...I am planning on putting up more tutorials (similar to the two I put up there for the text challenge)...so, maybe you can learn something new!

Thank you to those that participate...and, see you in the fall!

Trisha
Blog Owner and Challenge Creator

Text Effects Results

2006-06-29T12:04:00.000-07:00

Looks like not many did the challenge again this week...but, for those that did...GREAT JOB! I loved seeing everybody's results!

You can check out the results for those that participated at the following links. Please be sure to leave comments so everybody can feel good about their pieces!:

Thank you again to those that took on the challenge!

New Challenge (6/21/06) – Text Effects

2006-06-21T18:11:00.000-07:00

This week's challenge is going to entail working with text in Adobe Photoshop. Using your own images, or creating one from scratch...create an advertisement or decorative element showcasing the text in the image. You can be as simple or complex as you would like! The challenge is to become familiar with all of the fun things we can do with text in Photoshop.

Also, when posting your final piece(s) for this challenge, please share the technique and/or steps you used so we can all learn something new!

Here are just a few simple examples I have completed showcasing text:

If you have never played with text, check out the following Photoshop tutorial websites to give you some ideas:

tutorialized.com

Planet Photoshop

Tutorial Post

Have fun! I can't wait to see what everybody comes up with!

"For Dummies" Bookcover Results

2006-06-21T06:23:00.000-07:00

Not many of us did the challenge last week, but the ones that did were definitely interesting. Perhaps we'll see these on the shelves one day?

You can check out the results at the following links. Please be sure to leave comments so everybody can feel good about their pieces!:

Tammy
Krista
Trisha

Again, thanks to those that took on the challenge!

New Challenge (6/14/06) – Create a "For Dummies" Bookcover

2006-06-14T12:29:00.000-07:00

I-Pod for Dummies. Knitting for Dummies. Bowling For Dummies. These are just a few examples of the kind of "Dummies" books on the market. This week's challenge is to create a "For Dummies" bookcover of your choice. Be as bizarre, fun, creative, or simple as you want with both your subject matter and your design!

If you have never seen a real "For Dummies" book...visit http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/ to see examples.

Once you complete your image and place it on your blog, don't forget to come back here and comment to this post with a link to your blog for all to see! You have one week to complete this challenge! Have fun!

Comical Critters and Characters Results

2006-06-14T12:13:00.000-07:00

Here are the results for last week's challenge! What fun these were! I felt some came off funny, while others looked rather creepy! But...definitely filled with creativity and fun!! Thanks so much for taking on last week's challenge!

By Abbie

By Trisha

By Tammy

By Andy

By Krista

Don't forget, if you have an idea of what you would like to learn, play with, or improve on...let me know! I'm always open for suggestions! Also, if you don't see your entry here, please let me know so I can add it! Thank you! Have a great week!

New Challenge (6/7/06) – Comical Critters or Characters

2006-06-07T17:42:00.000-07:00

I'm sure you have seen them, those goofy and freaky greeting cards where the images are distorted or altered? Well, this is your challenge for this week's Weekly Photoshop Challenge.

Using a photo of your choice, manipulate and alter the image so it represents a comical critter or character. You can also think of this as a photo caricature; exaggerating different prominent features of the original image.

Here are just a couple of simple examples I created to give you an idea. But, be as creative as you can be...and go "all out" if you can!

After Manipulation

Before Manipulation

After Manipulation

Before Manipulation

For my examples, I simply used the Liquify Filter (it does more than liposuction). I am still running under CS, but there are even more interesing tools in CS2.

Here are a few tutorials to get you started. But, don't be afraid to play with the tools in Photoshop to get fun and unusual creations.

Tutorial Whiz

Digital Kam

entheosweb.com

Good luck, and enjoy your week!

p.s. Sorry this is posted so late...Blogger was having "technical difficulties" for a good part of the day.

Spherical Design Challenge Results

2006-06-07T09:58:00.000-07:00

Here are the results for last week's challenge! We sure have some talented folks joining us! Every one is unique and FANTASTIC!! Thanks so much for taking on the challenge!

By Andy Doodler

By Suzanne

By Krista

By Trisha

By Tammy

New Challenge (5/31/06) – Spherical Design

2006-05-31T07:15:00.000-07:00

This week's challenge is to create an original design into a sphere of your choice. You can create a glass org, a snowglobe, a bubble...whatever you wish! However, the end result MUST look like a 3D sphere!

Here are some examples of creations I have done in the past:

Here are some tutorials to get you started!

Here is how I created the Sunlower Sphere image above:

After duplicating my first layer...I used the ellipse selection tool to create a perfect circle around the part of the image I wanted to be inside the sphere/globe. To make a perfect circle, hold down the SHIFT key when clicking and dragging.
I then used the Distort Filter, Spherize, at 100% on the normal mode.
After the sphere was creating, I simply added highlights using different lens flare filters.
I added more highlights by using the dodge and burn tools (Highlights Range on the Dodge and Midtones Range on the Burn). The dodge was used to brighten up areas, and the burn was used to darken.
Just try to visualize what a true bubble or glass orb would look like when you add in your highlights. Also, remember to darken the edges with the burn tool to give it a better 3D effect. Add any other highlights you wish to create the effect you are trying to reach.

Have fun with this, and see what unique creations you can come up with! Have a great week!

Painting/Line Art Challenge Results

2006-05-31T07:03:00.000-07:00

Here are the results for last week's challenge! As you can see, we had some neat entries...and all different! Great job everybody!

By Trisha

By Andydoodler

My Mary Stebbins

Late entry for Silhouette by Mary Stebbins

We didn't get many entries this week! Hopefully things will pick up. Don't forget, if you have an idea of what you would like to learn, play with, or improve on...let me know! I'm always open for suggestions! Also, if you don't see your entry here, please let me know so I can add it! Thank you! Have a great week!

New Challenge (5/24/06) – Painting/Line Art Challenge

2006-05-24T12:29:00.000-07:00

This week's challenge is to get your creative juices flowing by only using the painting and drawing capabilities in Adobe Photoshop. You may draw shapes, create brushes, make paths, etc...BUT, you may not use a photograph of any kind. You also MUST use the provided images to come up with your unique design. You don't have to use all of the images...but, you must use at least one. Sound restrictive? This is the challenge! :)

Here is an example of an image I created awhile back. The only provided image was the black silhouette line art image.

Here are the images in .png format you are to use (click on the image to get a bigger image to download). You may recolor them, add to them, and take some away. Be creative, and see what you can come up with! :)

Have fun, and I can't wait to see what everybody comes up with!

Edited to add!

I see some people may never have painted in Photoshop...so, here are some online tutorials to help you get started!

Digital Sketching by Al's Photoshop Tutorial

Drawing a Path by Spoono

Painting in Photoshop by Conceptoo

Creating Custom Shapes by F. P. S.

Hand Drawn Look Using a Custom Shape by Solidoxygen

Creating Custom Brushes by Spoono

Fixer Upper Results

2006-05-24T11:41:00.000-07:00

Here are the results for last week's challenge, "Fixer Upper!" Everybody's turned out great! I enjoyed seeing the creations...and, I hope those that are visiting also have enjoyed them. Thank you all for participating!

By Andy Doodles

By Lou

By Tammy

By Trisha

New Challenge (5/17/06) – Fixer Upper

2006-05-17T08:39:00.000-07:00

Are you ready for a REAL challenge? This challenge calls for you to refurbish, reconstruct, redo a house in desperate need of a makeover (move over Ty Pennington!). This is going to take a lot of ingenuity and creativity on your part, and a lot of patience. Using the photo provided (or if you have one of your own), fix up the house, including landscaping, to make it look as realistic as possible (or not...depending on the look you are trying to go for!). Pay attention to shadows, lighting, and the little things that may make a difference. Add in as many "extras" as you like (Google is my friend)...just have fun and be creative!

Click on the above Image for a larger picture to download!

Here is an example of an image I had done previously:

Before:
After:
If you don't wish to use the photo provided above, you may use your own photo...or, feel free to do as many as you wish, including the example I had done previously.

Once you complete your image and place it on your blog, come back here and comment to this post with a link to your blog for all to see! Don't forget, you have a week to complete this challenge. A new challenge will be posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006. Good luck!...and, have fun!

Enjoy!

Tattoo Results

2006-05-17T08:25:00.000-07:00

Here are the results for last week's challenge, tattoo! They turned out great! Thank you all for participating!

By Andy

By Trisha

By Necy

By Tammy

By Krista

New Challenge (5/10/06) – Tattoo

2006-05-10T17:33:00.000-07:00

This week we are going to give somebody a tattoo...without using needles! Perhaps you wish to give yourself a tattoo of Tweety Bird...or you wish to give your spouse a tattoo you have fantasized about for years. Now is your chance! Using your own images, see how creative you can be! I also have uploaded an image of a very muscular young man if you don't have one of your own!

As far as the tattoo? Perhaps you wish to use a photo you already have, create a vector image in Illustrator or Photoshop, or use a dingbat font if you aren't an artistic type.

If you are unsure how to go about creating a tattoo...here are several websites with some helpful tutorials.

Planet Photoshop

Digital Photography Journal

Fotofects

t-tutorials

Photoshop Buddy

Here is an image to use if you don't have your own:

Have fun!

Colorization Results

2006-05-10T17:07:00.000-07:00

This week only a few of us completed the challenge! Congrats everybody! The results are fantastic! Tammy even went one step further and did the challenge with one of her own photos...the results looks great!

Here are the results!

By Tammy

By Collin
By Trisha

By Lou

New Challenge (5/3/06) – Colorization

2006-05-03T09:50:00.000-07:00

Colorizing photos can be fun and creative! You can turn a faded photo or a grayscale photo into a wonderful colored photo using whatever colors you wish! You may want to just add color to a portion of the image, or the entire image...wherever your heart takes you.

Here is an example of a project I did awhile ago colorizing some flowers:

Before

After

Now it is your turn! Colorize the following photo (click on it to get a larger image):

If you have never colorized a photo before, check out these tutorials to get you started:

Absolute Cross

TutHQ

If you don't wish to use the photo provided above, you may use your own photo...or, feel free to do as many as you wish.

Once you complete your image and place it on your blog, come back here and comment to this post with a link to your blog for all to see! Don't forget, you have a week to complete this challenge. A new challenge will be posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006. Good luck!...and, have fun!

Enjoy!

Silhouette Results

2006-05-03T09:38:00.000-07:00

Everybody did a great job on the silhouette challenge! Each are original and fun! Hopefully you learned a new technique you can use from time to time!

Here are the wonderful results:

New Challenge (4/26/06) – Silhouette

2006-04-26T05:05:00.000-07:00

You have all seen them...those popular Apple iPod ads?...How about the classic silhouette profile vignettes? Well, now it is your turn to create your own silhouette masterpiece! Using your own images, create a final piece that includes some kind of high-contrast silhouette. Perhaps you want to create an advertisement similar to iPod...or, how about a fun birth announcement...maybe you want to put a vignette of a couple into a sunset image? Be creative, and see what you can come up with!

If you have never done a silhouette, check out these various Photoshop tutorial sites that give different techniques in creating a silhouette:

Photoshop Tutorial by Jennifer Apple

Adobe Photoshop Tip: Attack of the iPod People

Creating Sunsets with Silhouettes Photoshop Tutorial
by Tommy Maloney

Easy Two Tone Silhouette Photoshop Tutorial
by Tommy Maloney

The Unexpected – Held Over for Another Week!

2006-04-18T05:55:00.000-07:00

Since we are just getting off the ground...I'm going to hold over the topic, "The Unexpected" for another week! Hopefully we will get more interested in this challenge! A new topic will not be given until next Wednesday, April 26, 2006.

Also, if you can think of some Photoshop challenges to post here, don't hesitate contacting Trisha.

Good luck!

This Week's Challenge – The Unexpected

2006-04-11T09:33:00.000-07:00

Welcome to your first Weekly Photoshop Challenge! This week's topic is, "The Unexpected."

A bull in a china shop. A pigeon in the bathroom. A baby in the driver's seat. A nun in a Victoria's Secret. Using your own images, think of your own wild combination of man or animal and locale, and combine two (or more) different images into one single image. Your final image should look as realistic as possible (watch for shadows, lighting, etc), and should depict a scenario that you would never, ever imagine.

Once you complete your image and place it on your blog, come back here and comment to this post with a link to your blog for all to see! Don't forget, you have a week to complete this challenge. A new challenge will be posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006.

Good luck!...and, have fun!

Welcome!

2006-04-04T17:09:00.000-07:00

Welcome to your Weekly Photoshop Challenge. Beginning Wednesday, April 12, 2006, and each subsequent Wednesday thereafter, I will be posting a challenge that must be completed in Adobe Photoshop. The challenges will vary, and will not only challenge your Photoshop skills, but also your creativity. You may use other applications to help you along, but the majority of your project should be completed in Photoshop. Afterall, this IS a Photoshop challenge!

How to Participate

1. Visit here on Wednesday morning to learn about your challenge.
2. Post your finished piece to be showcased onto your blog or dedicated website.
3. After posting your finished piece on your blog or website, come back here and post a link to your blog within the "comments" area of the weekly challenge. This way everybody will be able to check out your creation!

Thank you for participating, and enjoy!

txartcgal