In need of some PS CS4 tips!

[Shoo]

Can someone teach me how to effectively use gradient maps? My friend said that they add that little extra oomph to imaages, but I can't seem to get it right.

Also, where would you guys suggest I find patterns or brushes? I looked at the resource page, but all but DeviantART don't have many vector-esque brushes. Same goes for fonts. Everyone here has such pretty fonts and mine all turn out so blech

Also looking for general tips on improving my signature making/photoshop skills please! Sorry if this isn't allowed

[k0n]

Are you looking for tips on how to make and use gradient maps or tips on what they can be used for?

[Shoo]

Uhh, tips when to use them. I know how to make them, I just don't undertand how to effectively use them to enhance my projects

[k0n]

Oh, I see. They're usually used to blend colors of your work easily. I don't really agree that they're the "oomph" of the work, but they make your colors of your work more uniformed.

I also usually use them to create the atmosphere of my work. I just choose a scheme that I want and it automatically uniforms my work. To make that extra "oomph", I use Selective Color and Levels instead for that final adjustment for the colors.

Does that make any sense? :s

[Shoo]

Sorry, I went to get a haircut. The part about the gradient map makes much more sense now. What do you mean selective colors though?

[k0n]

Selective colors adjusts any color you see left on your work by means of using the levels. I usually typically to adjust extra unwanted colors to something else.

Let me give you an example of what I do with gradient maps, and selective color. Here's a scrap signature I was making last year:

Spoiler!

So I constructed this random image and you can easily notice that the colors are all over the place.

By adding a Gradient Map, you can arrange the colors into a set. So now it looks like this without any layer styles or opacity changes.


Decreasing the opacity, gradient maps can add a slight splash of colors that may harmonize your work (depending on the colors you selected on your gradient map).


Remember, you can use multiple gradient maps to enhance harmonization.


Finally, using Selective Color, you can change certain colors you don't want. For instance, I changed the color black into something more yellowish-brown and changed the blue to something more green or cyan.


Here's another idea of what Gradient Maps and Selective Color can do to your work:

The possibilities are endless depending on what you want to achieve in your work

[Shoo]

Ah! That was perfect, thank you so much! I get it now :]

[k0n]

No problem Remember you can also change the layer style to also help adjust your Gradient Map.