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Part V: The Part of Tens

The Sketch filter is one of the few filters that require you to convert your images to 8-bit from 16-bit. (To convert your images to 8-bit mode, choose ImageOMode08 Bits/ Channel.) Other filters that won’t work in 16-bit mode are the Artistic, Brush Strokes, Pixelate, and Texture filters.

Figure 14-5 shows the finished image.

I added contrast by applying a Curves

Adjustment layer, and then darkened      R. ,. r r – ■ , , ■            ..,., n, „ 0

‘ , . ,:,,.,                                       Figure 14-5: Finished image with the Chalk &

Some of the highlight areas.                     N,          ,r,.          ,■ ,

& &                                        Charcoal filter applied.

After you’ve chosen the Chalk &

Charcoal filter (or any Sketch filter), you can always change filters by clicking

The other icons in the Sketch filter choices.

Zoom Turbulence tool Mirror tool

Figure 14-2: Liquify filter.

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Chapter 14: Ten Great Photoshop Filters

The last and most important section of this chapter deals with the final showing of your photos. As a photographer, I love to show off my photos, but (as a rule) only in their final form. The Web is a great place to show off your images, but nothing beats viewing a photograph that’s mounted, framed, and displayed at eye level, hanging on the wall. To me, a mounted and framed photograph is the ultimate reward for all the work that goes into digital photography.

Here’s a gallery of tips for mounting and framing photographs:

W* Plan for doubling the image size to determine your frame size. If you’re printing 8×10-inch prints, your frame size should be 16×20 inches.

W* Purchase pre-cut, acid-free mats. I find this the easiest and fastest way to mount my photos. You can choose to cut your own mats, of course, but make sure all your materials are acid-free. Acid-free materials help guaran­tee that your photos will be preserved over long periods of time without the chemical reactions some materials can cause with photographs.

W* Use durable metal or wood frames. I see a lot of frame kits at a cheap price. Yes, they come with pre-cut mats, but the frames are often made of plastic, and are not of very good quality. Spend the extra money and purchase quality frames and mats from reputable manufacturers such as Neilson Bainbridge. Most art-supply companies carry high-quality frame kits that come with pre-cut mats ready to go.

W* Display your work! You work hard taking photos and perfecting them in Photoshop. Take the time to print, mat, and frame your photos. Hang them up on the walls of your home, and look into displaying your framed photos at work, school, art associations, or your local bookstore-and-coffee shop.