THIS IS THE SAME TUTORIAL SHOWN ON THE 365DAYS PODCAST. I decided to revise it so it looked nicer. :D

I get questions about how I get my photos to look certain ways so I've decided to put out a few tutorials. They aren't the best looking and I can't guarantee that I do things the "right" way in Photoshop, but it's how I've figured out to do it.

Please note that I am not a professional by any means, I started using Photoshop when I was 12ish and everything I know, I've either figured out by myself through alot of trial and error, or I've gotten from tips and other people's tutorials that are floating around the internet.

CLICK HERE for the tutorial. It takes you to my Deviantart page, click the image to make it bigger. If you're on dial up or are having issues, Flickrmail me and I'll email you a ZIP file of the tutorial.

if you really want to see the old tutorial, browse around my Deviantart, it's in there somewhere.

© All Rights Reserved

This is how my Day 43 shot Came about. The lamp I use is my mom's, she makes jewelry and it's like a natural sunlight lamp or something so that she can see the true colours of the beads she works with. I steal it all the time for my SP's cause it's such an awesome lamp. Here's a link to the company that sells them, I THINK the model we have is the 1227BKR. Anyway.

You can't tell from this picture, but my face is like 4 inches from the bulb. It kills my eyes but the results make it worth it I think. I tried to take a profile shot so you could see how close my face really is to the lamp but the lamp blew out all of the profile pictures. So you'll just have to trust me on this :P

Yes, I really do take most of these sorts of shots in my pajamas. Which NEVER match. I love these pants though, they have oscar mayer wieners on them. I call them my wiener pants and giggle to myself because I am SO immature.

I don't spend very long preparing, 15 minutes maybe to straighten my hair and throw some makeup on.

I included a before and after processing shot so all those people who comment on my *PERFECT* skin can see that it really is NOT anywhere close to perfect, even with foundation on. But thankyou anyways!

Posting the before picture is almost as terrifying as posting a nude picture. Cause I hate my skin. Even in highschool I NEVER had acne, and now that I'm 20 I guess it's catching up with me. It sucks.

Also, for a closer (*cringe*) look, HERE instead of all sizes, because the large version isn't large enough.

Other shots that I've used the lamp on:

1
2
3
4

© All Rights Reserved

The first one is straight off the camera. Second is edited to try to make it look as natural as possible, and the last one I converted to BW using the channel mixer.

My B&Ws never come out as contrasty as I'd like them to. I want really white whites and really black blacks but I can never get it to come out like that without losing alot of detail. I want this! And this!

I'm frustrated that even thought I've got lights now, I still have to Photoshop the hell out of my photos to make them look natural. Maybe I have the wrong kind of lights? Is it my camera? I'm psyched I get much better focus, I like how much clearer they're coming out.

If anyone's got any tips I'd appreciate them. Remember I'm using a point and shoot.

And I'd also appreciate input on my editing: am I doing okay? Is it too much? Tips?

© All Rights Reserved