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This chapter is from the book

This chapter is from the book


There's a quick (and repeatable) way to achieve surreal effects when you begin with a liquified satin image.

  1. Open the SURREAL.tif file again, or revert to its original state.

  2. Use the Levels adjustment to change the white point from 255 to 180. This brightens the image by increasing highlights.

  3. Choose Filter > Distort > Polar Coordinates, using the Polar to Rectangular option.

  4. Figure 6.26. Apply Polar Coordinates to the brightened source image.

  5. Fade the filter effect, using Lighten mode at 100%.

  6. Figure 6.27. Fade Polar Coordinates, using Lighten mode.

  7. Repeat the filter-and-fade process. Ctrl+F/Cmd+F is the keyboard shortcut for repeating the previous filter.

  8. Apply Auto Levels.

  9. The left side of the image is a little washed out at this stage. We can fix that with a gradient fill.

    Figure 6.28. Apply Auto Levels after the second round of distortions.

  10. Use the Eyedropper tool to sample a bright blue from the image, or enter these RGB settings: R 150, G 224, and B 244.

  11. Choose the Gradient tool with the Linear Style and the Foreground to Transparent preset. Change the mode to Difference and Opacity to 60%. Drag horizontally from the left edge to the center of the image.

  12. This modification is a detailed image with a variety of organic forms and depth effects interacting in complex ways.

    Figure 6.29. Enhance the left side of the image with a gradient fill.

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