Photoshop Tutorial: Portrait with Words

A picture can say a thousand words, and with Photoshop I mean that literally! Sometimes you have photos that aren’t quite sharp enough to use, or the color is off, or whatever, but you like the pose or expression. The technique I used to create the layout of my daughter above is a great way to put to use a less than perfect photo. I made you a video tutorial, so you can see how easy it is to do, but I’ll include written instructions too.

Here’s the shorthand written version.

Step 1 – Make brushes from words

• Type the word on a new document.
• Edit > Define Brush.

Do this for three words, from dark (bold) to light (thin).

Step 2 – Prepare your photo

• Crop.
• Extract from background.
• Change to Black and White.
• Adjust contrast if necessary so you have lights and darks.
• Posterize to 4 levels: In PS go to Adjustments > Posterize, in PSE go to Filters > Adjustments > Posterize.

Step 3 – Create your color layers

• Choose the Magic Wand.
• Click on darkest color.
• Hold CTRL and press J – that color is now on its own layer.
• Change back to original layer and do the other colors.

Step 4 – Brush each layer onto a blank layer

• Create a new layer.
• Create a selection from darkest layer – hold CTRL and click on thumbnail.
• Select darkest (boldest) brush.
• Stamp the brush all over the new layer, it will only show inside the selections.
• Repeat for other layers.
• Hide all other layers.

To use, merge the three brushed layers into one, and drag onto your layout. Then you can blend it into a paper, or clip a paper to it with a clipping mask.

Don’t forget to post your results to the Layout Gallery and link us up in the comments so we can be amazed!

Credits: Paper and elements by ScrapKitty Design. Photo by Jennifer White.

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