Turn a Dull Shot into a “Moody” Masterpiece
We all take them: those shots we think are ok, but for whatever reason, turn out drab. Mike Rodriguez shows you a technique to rescue them by adding a little bit of “mood.”
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Charlotte
August 12, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Mike,
That was awesome. there is a lot of information you gave. I am going to have to follow along and stop and start your video. Thanks so much.
I would love to see some tutorials on using the gradient tool. I am not even sure what it is exactly but it seems like I could use it to enhance the sky in my shots.
All the best,
charlotte
Mike
August 12, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Hi Charlotte-
Glad you liked it and found it helpful. Yes, that one sort of turned into a “lots of steps” experiment.
The gradient tool…I’ll put it on my list and see what we can come up with!
Mike
Jack
August 12, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Great ideas. Thanks
Mike
August 12, 2010 at 4:05 pm
You are very welcome, Jack. Glad you liked it.
Mike
Gerald
August 13, 2010 at 10:52 am
Mike:
Really liked this tutorial. I have photos that, while subject-, exposure-, and composition-wise are fine, just lack pizazz. Think parts or all of this technique is the cure. Thanks!
Helga
August 15, 2010 at 5:42 am
great tutorial to learn more about blending modes and adjustment layers.
good help to get new ideas.
Thanks
Helga
Brent
August 16, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Great Job Mike! I actually liked the look before you used the blur, so it has a lot of choices for ideas to use on future shots. Thanks.
Mike
August 24, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Thanks for the comments, all. I’m glad the little project has inspired some ideas for you to try. That was a primary goal of this one!
Enjoy,
Mike
Ray
August 26, 2010 at 1:43 am
Very nice effect, and very well presented.
Great work. Keep it up!
Helen
August 27, 2010 at 7:31 am
Great tutorial!!!! Much to learn from the steps taken here. Can’t wait to try this one. Know it’s all been said before but just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to let you know how much this tutorial was appreciated!
Thanks,
Helen
Mike
August 28, 2010 at 8:18 am
Thank you, Helen, and Ray, too. I very much appreciate the kind words. Glad you enjoyed it, and I hope it helps inspire some great creations of your own.
Mike
James
August 28, 2010 at 11:07 am
Great tutorial – already had fun using this approach.
- miss the cheatsheets that Matt has been including.
- find them great references vs stating up the video each time my memory fails me.
Thanks again to everyone at PET for the instructions and inspirations that you provide.
Jim
Rick LePage
August 28, 2010 at 11:19 am
Jim,
We’ll try to get cheatsheets up for this one too – it just takes time, and there’s only a few of us – but I think this one definitely could benefit from one, especially with all the layer stuff going on.
Rick
Laura
September 16, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Much appreciated, and one of the best parts of it? Learning how to put a new image combining several affects on TOP of the layers, so additional changes can be made. You wouldn’t believe how many times I flatten an image when I get to a point where I like what I have — but want to do more. Beyond that, lots of great techniques for mood enhancement to try out. Thank you!
Mike
September 19, 2010 at 9:10 pm
Glad to help, Laura. I well remember when I first learned that trick…my reaction was the same as yours!
Marianne
September 24, 2010 at 7:57 am
Great video full of great ideas. Very interesting and motivating. I am off to try it out. thanks Mike!!!
Kimberly
October 2, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Like Laura, I enjoyed that little trick of combing layers. I had loads of fun with tutorial and branched off from the finished photo and tried a few more things. I’m having fun and learning new stuff — even when I have to make my own “cheat sheets”. HA!
John
November 3, 2010 at 5:01 am
Thanks Rick, that worked. This is a great article and a keeper for my collection