Elements created during Design Class lessons at Hummie’s World)
Some thoughts from this lesson:
- One size does not fit all when it comes to layer styles! Play around with layer styles and alter the settings to fit the image.
- Use a good high quality texture image to get a good high quality element. (Keep your camera handy and take your own texture photos. It’s easy!)
- Create your own vector graphics when you want something unique. This also allows you to set the terms of use.
Also…think about ways to add impact.
For instance, try out Photoshop’s lighting effects filter to create a spotlight layer. It really makes the texture of the wood grain pop!
How to create the spotlight effect using Photoshop’s Lighting Effects filter-click on the graphics layer (in this example, the hummingbird or flower graphic layer),add a new layer in Overlay mode and fill this layer with 50% gray.In Overlay mode, 50% gray is neutral and doesn’t alter your graphic layer.Now create the spotlight, choose Filter > Render > Lighting Effects and set up your lighting.Position the light to be brightest in the left hand corner.Play with the spotlight effect by dragging inward on the bottom control handle making it more circular.Click ok.Because the spotlight is on it’s own layer, it’s easily modified.Experiment with other blend modes and reduce the opacity.I liked Overlay and reduced the opacity to 85%.
Now return to your graphics layer and experiment with blend modes.
I liked soft light and a Fill opacity of 25%.
Reducing the Fill opacity doesn’t alter the qualities of the layer styles.
(For more information on fill opacity vs “regular” opacity see this post.)
Enjoy these free elements and I’d love to see/hear about what you do with them!
To download these free elements click here
