An introduction to the ‘Working with textures: part two’ tutorial

In this, the second part of our series on working with textures, we will continue our discussion of Michael Regnier’s work. In this instance though, in addition to discussing the techniques that are necessary to produce such images, we will also be taking a detailed look at the creative and aesthetic processes that underpin their creation.

If you would like to see some examples of Michael’s work, you can do so here:

http://www.regnierphotography.com/

By the end of this tutorial you will:

Understand how to use an additional range of blend modes to merge a textured image with your photographs.
Have a better understanding of the relationship between technique and aesthetics.
Be able to consider the creative/aesthetic potential offered by an original image.
Be able to creatively alter specific sections of an image.

This tutorial contains 6217 words, 51 illustrative images and screen grabs, and has received 8 comments.

Photoshop files included with this tutorial

Each of our tutorials is based around a series of Photoshop files, at the resolution originally posted on chromasia, and each contains all the original adjustment layers that were used to create the final image. The ones that are included in this tutorial, and a brief description of how each one will be used, are listed below – the ‘before’ version on the left, the ‘after’ version on the right. Each of these files can be downloaded after you subscribe.

How to get from this …	to this
		Image 1 In this first example I will show you how to add two textured layers to an image: one to add detail, the other to frame the image.
		Image 2 In this example, in addition to discussing the various techniques that were used to construct this image, we will also consider how to evaluate and alter an image based on aesthetic rather than purely technical criteria.
		Image 3 In this example, in addition to discussing a variety of alternative blend modes that can be used to merge textures with your images, we will also discuss how to alter specific areas of an image to increase its aesthetic impact.
		Image 4 In this final example I will show you how to use a range of textures to transform an otherwise dull original.

What our subscribers have said about this tutorial

"An absolutely great tutorial. I have been following Michael's work on his site for a long while trying to understand how he gets there, now I know. It is by far the best tutorial you have produced. I look forward to more on this theme of the interpretive photographer"

Graham Harris

"Another outstanding tutorial David. Some fantastic images clearly described and so well presented. It was so good being able to see Mike's work."

Roger

Content overview (the rollover graphics and embedded videos are not illustrated)


page 1	page 2	page 3	page 4	page 5

How to subscribe

Further information

To find out more about our other individual tutorials please click any of the following images. Alternatively, you can visit our main tutorials page for further information on: our annual subscriptions; our forthcoming issues; and our current members’s offers. You can also read through our sample tutorial on Tonal Range and the Curves tool.



			Mini-PSDs We introduced our Mini-PSDs in February 2010, and release a new image every week. Click here to see the full list of Mini-PSDs and find out more about this feature.						Critique Slot Screencasts Our Critique Slot Screencasts provide our members with an exciting opportunity to get detailed and constructive feedback on one of their own images, gain an insight into how other members postprocess their images, and see how I might have processed that particular image. Click here to find out more.