Shop

Collapse

Unconfigured Ad Widget

Collapse

Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

How the 'Posters' are created

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • How the 'Posters' are created

    Normally I post the posters into a kind of void since I ask that no comments be included so we can have a complete unbroken visual history of the year. However there was a fair bit of feedback when I posted the newest in the Daniel O'Donnell appearance thread, so I thought I'd explain the process - its not magic!

    Step One is to gather the images. My preferred method being to capture screenshots from videos of performances or interviews - that's next best to taking my own photos. Otherwise, its working with available photos.

    When that's done I open PaintShopPro7, the program I use. In Year One, the posters are all different sizes which I came to regret, so in Year 2 I made a pattern of the largest size I felt I could get away with. I open that, and open all the images I hope to include and my program looks like this (5 pics, 4 showing, sitting separate from but on top of the background which always starts as solid black):



    Next I add the images to the background. However - each image, and every other item (frames, text, etc) goes on its own transparent, completely separate layer. This allows me to move images about, crop, fade parts, alter in any way without affecting any other image. In the next screenshot, the 5 images are added, and the light grey thingie on the right shows the various layers:



    They're all a jumble in the above shot, so the next step is to arrange them in the most pleasing way. As I do this, I'm also mentally choosing one or 2 I'll remove the original background from (it helps them stand out and adds variety). Its also vital to plan room for whatever text will be added near the end. In the above shot also, you'll notice the photos are in numbered order (thingie on right that lists them).

    But in the next which shows them arranged, cropped and in their final position, the numbers are not in order because I've dragged images (layers) up and down and around :>) as well as cropping bits off and removing the backgrounds on some to get to this stage:



    The next step is a simple fine tuning of positions, adding frames if any, or back shadows and possibly adjusting the tint of some images to match better with the others:



    With all the images completed, the next step is the background. Sometimes I decide plain black is best. In this case, I've gone with a greenish-blue matched to one of the photos, and then added a lighting effect. This is done on the original first solid black layer:



    All that's left to do is the text (it has to wait till the background is done in order to ensure whatever color the text is will be clear against the background). Then I merge all the layers into one and add that black and white border, the main purpose of which is to add a bit of a uniform look when viewing many posters on one page. This is the end result:



    The most frequent comment yesterday was 'how fast!" By now I should be, shouldn't I? LOL I'm not making 'art' here, though I try to make them eye pleasing. They record the history of the most fascinating singer any of us have ever come across.

    This poster - excluding the time to find the images - took 24 minute, including the time to take the screenshots as I went.

    None of the posters could be done without the contributions of the many fans here who find and provide the links/videos/images used. Call them a Group Project - because in fact they are.
    Last edited by CanadianBill; 12-17-2012, 09:27 AM.
    "Support our Forum using the Subo store for your online shopping.
    Click on the upper left "Amazon.com" (.co.uk, or .ca) to buy anything.
    http://susan-boyle.com/pages/SubostoreUSA
    http://susan-boyle.com/pages/SubostoreUK
    http://susan-boyle.com/pages/SubostoreCA

  • #2
    I bet money that if he were alive in his prime or even the end of his years, Frank Sinatra would be one of the first lining up to do a duet with Miss Boyle...i believe he had an album called "Duets" in his last years, and I am sure Miss Boyle would have been the first he would have signed..
    sigpic"

    Caveat: All opinions expressed are in my humble opinion unless stated otherwise.

    Comment


    • #3
      Off topic. sorry. (LOL)
      sigpic"

      Caveat: All opinions expressed are in my humble opinion unless stated otherwise.

      Comment


      • #4
        Thanks CB for explaining the process, but you are being entirely too modest. You do have an eye for composition and a flair for words, as well.

        Comment


        • #5
          How do you add the lighting effect at the end? I just need lots of practice, which means more sitting
          It's in the blood, it's in everybody's blood, the ability to make people happy.* Susan Boyle, CNN interview.

          Support your Forum: shop SuBo store, "Shopping" -- light blue banner at the top of the page
          Avatar Photocredit = Graham Riddell




          Comment


          • #6
            Oh, I forgot, very generous of you to take to the time to reply to our interest. And everything Laura said is true whether you're willing to admit it or not.
            It's in the blood, it's in everybody's blood, the ability to make people happy.* Susan Boyle, CNN interview.

            Support your Forum: shop SuBo store, "Shopping" -- light blue banner at the top of the page
            Avatar Photocredit = Graham Riddell




            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by entropydecides View Post
              How do you add the lighting effect at the end? I just need lots of practice, which means more sitting
              Hi entropydecides - I'm stuck with telling you only how I do it with PSP7. Photoshop is much more advanced. In any case, at the top of the screenshot below, it shows me clicking EFFECTS, then ILLUMINATION EFFECTS, then LIGHTS. The bottom part shows the box that opens with many choices of light effects, and every one of them can be customized endlessly - which drives ya crazy when you're new at it LOL -

              "Support our Forum using the Subo store for your online shopping.
              Click on the upper left "Amazon.com" (.co.uk, or .ca) to buy anything.
              http://susan-boyle.com/pages/SubostoreUSA
              http://susan-boyle.com/pages/SubostoreUK
              http://susan-boyle.com/pages/SubostoreCA

              Comment


              • #8
                You're speaking English, right? I am just so glad you are who you are and do what you do, Bill. Then those like me who could never in a million years create these wonderful posters just get to sit back and enjoy them!
                sigpic"There will always be plenty of people who will give up on you. No need to give up on yourself" Susan Boyle

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by cac1936 View Post
                  You're speaking English, right? I am just so glad you are who you are and do what you do, Bill. Then those like me who could never in a million years create these wonderful posters just get to sit back and enjoy them!
                  Dejapoo - The feeling you heard this crap before.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Thank you so much Bill for all the times, including this time, when you are giving/helping/sharing with all the members while asking nothing for yourself. I have always been impressed with the quality of humanbeing that you are. My best to you always, Ross

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Bill, what are the dimensions you've been using?
                      I used to play around with PSP a lot, but I've forgotten so much of it.
                      Thanks for posting this thread, I want to hang onto it.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        [QUOTE=CanadianBill;306746]Normally I post the posters into a kind of void since I ask that no comments be included so we can have a complete unbroken visual history of the year. However there was a fair bit of feedback when I posted the newest in the Daniel O'Donnell appearance thread, so I thought I'd explain the process - its not magic!



                        Sure looks like magic to me!! Thanks, Bill. You are a treasure!!!
                        sigpic

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Thanks, Bill!!!!!! I love your posters! You do have an artistic flair, with arrangement, color, effects, etc., etc., etc. You create a beautiful work of art every time. Not all of us can do that. Credit where credit is due!
                          If you can dream it, you can do it.
                          Walt Disney

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Henny View Post
                            Thanks, Bill!!!!!! I love your posters! You do have an artistic flair, with arrangement, color, effects, etc., etc., etc. You create a beautiful work of art every time. Not all of us can do that. Credit where credit is due!
                            CB, for taking the time to give the instructs, but like Henny said, "credit where credit is due" and you will always be the "poster boy", you set the bar sky high and climbing with your work, beautiful and flawless.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by waldog View Post
                              Thank you so much Bill for all the times, including this time, when you are giving/helping/sharing with all the members while asking nothing for yourself. I have always been impressed with the quality of humanbeing that you are...

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X