A Unique Frame Inspired by Labels
Photograph by Christy Peterson
From cute tea boxes to wine bottles, I’m drawn to the labels adorning these objects. Sometimes they’re ornate, other times more simple, but they all seem to inspire me. I think it has to do with the lines and little touches, adding a bit of flair to these labels. But, this is just the beginning.
Recently, I started taking One Little Word — a year-long class taught by Ali Edwards. The class is both a project and a means to honor a New Year’s resolution that comes in the form of an intention (or word). Anyway, within the first week, what should appear as a accent to add to our photographs? A label frame — or something very near it!
For me, it was enough to get my creative gears moving in the direction of crafting my own “label-ish” frames to add to my images. This, of course, led to a video tutorial which illustrates how to make a frame and add a bit of nostalgic fun to your own photographs. In addition, the tutorial shares how to:
- Make brushes from shapes
- Use the eraser tool to modify a shape for use as a frame
- Use the brush tool to create a line of fleur-de-lis
- Add one image to another (i.e., add the photograph and the frame images together)
- Create a light and dark frame for a photograph
UPDATE: In the video, I say that the size limit for brushes is 1024 pixels x 1024 pixels. The actual limit is 2500 pixels x 2500 pixels. (The 1024 x 1024 value has to do with the Organizer, sizing, and memory. And, it seems that my own memory needs a boost!) Thanks to Mary for catching that one!
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Barbara
March 29, 2011 at 6:30 pm
I’m ready to go try this – so cute!
Liz
March 29, 2011 at 8:17 pm
AWESOME! Can’t wait to see what you do! =)
Steve
March 29, 2011 at 11:03 pm
Great! Could you save this as a brush then apply it as a black brush on one layer then a white layer and erase as you did? Or would you save it as it is in layers for future use?
Liz
March 30, 2011 at 7:25 am
I think you could do either — I often save these as .png files so that I can use them in a variety of ways. =)
James
March 30, 2011 at 2:29 am
Thanks for another great tool, Liz. The possibilities with this tutorial seem limitless!
Liz
March 30, 2011 at 7:26 am
Thanks James! =)
Julie
March 30, 2011 at 5:59 am
Hi Liz,
This is a neat technique. I like how flexible this is and can see using it for a lot of things. It’s nice that you itemize the different things we’ll use when following the tutorial.
I posted an image at EV, by the way…
Liz
March 30, 2011 at 7:27 am
Awesome — thanks Jule!
PS: LOVE your site (was just out there looking around — very cool photos)!
Mary
March 30, 2011 at 6:10 am
Liz, great tutorial!
I love the effect the frame gives the picture. And, I think that the effect is particularly striking with the black and white image.
Thanks!
Mary
Liz
March 30, 2011 at 7:28 am
Thank you Mary! =)
Tony
April 1, 2011 at 8:21 am
it’s convincing, I do like it!
Liz
April 1, 2011 at 8:54 am
=) Thanks Tony!
Byron
April 1, 2011 at 11:58 am
Hi Liz,
A shortcut can be used when you want to create a new image with the same dimensions and resolution of an image which is already open in the Editor…
When you click File > New > Blank File… when the New dialog box opens, the Preset drop-down list will include the names of currently open files. Click the file name, and the pixel dimensions and resolution of that image will be automatically populated in the New dialog for you.
Color Mode will also be set to match your selected open image, so if you want something different, just change that setting.
Thanks for the interesting tutorial!
Byron
Liz
April 1, 2011 at 1:14 pm
Thanks for the tips Byron! =)
Dorrie
April 1, 2011 at 7:08 pm
My only problem is that the volume is very low on this particular video. Not the case on your past videos.
I do have a slight hearing deficiency but usually don’t have any problems hearing the videos, so I surprised this one was so low. I will have to use ear plugs to hear it.
Liz
April 1, 2011 at 9:44 pm
Thanks for the feedback Dorrie — I’ll have to look into that to see what’s up. I appreciate you letting us know! =) Liz
James
April 2, 2011 at 10:35 pm
Great video – wondering if you could capture the photo(s) and text before the video into a downloadable file? Some contibutors use the downloadab;e “Cheetsheet” format.
I put the videos and cheetsheets on my iPad – review them when flying (twice a week) and also use them – on the iPad – while trying to recreate the examples on my PC.
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Agree with Dorrie – volume was low on this video – what did come thru was breath sounds (noise) that may have been mic positioning.
Your videos are outstanding – clear, consise, paced just right for this slow old guy trying to duplicate your actions. Appreciate you going back and explaining adjustments in real time. – really benificial.
With 4 grandkids, I spend a lot of time creating Scrapbook pages that they really enjoy. Please do some more on multiphoto layouts on 12×12 – I need to continue to impress the Costco Photo staff with my efforts.
Jim
Liz
April 3, 2011 at 7:56 am
Thanks for your feedback, James — Also, I think it’s awesome that you’re such an avid scrapbooker. What a wonderful gift for your family (especially, the grandkids)! =)
Sandra
April 13, 2011 at 1:56 am
Great lesson! I sure wish it had a “cheat” sheet to go along with it. Did you guys give up on doing “cheat” sheets?
Liz
April 13, 2011 at 9:53 am
Sorry about that Sandra. I’ll try to include written steps in future tutorials, too. Thanks for your comment/input — helps me make my posts better and better. =)