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Question from Janie: “Can you make a color brush in PS? Like a sunny yellow brush to paint in sunshine..or a brush to paint in fallish colors etc. “
David: You could, but do you really want to manipulate your photos? There is a difference between photography and digital manipulation. You can learn to shoot better, and no editing is needed. Editing is like a crutch. IMO
Morgan: I’ve never heard of color brushes, mine are only b&w. However, David there is no need to put down her opinions. Janie, it is always nice to play with photo shop and see what you can do! Don’t let anyone discourage you!
Amanda: I agree with David. I am more of a naturalist with editing as well. Do you shoot in raw? If not, I would suggest maybe starting there, which would allow you to warm up your coloring a bit.
Tammy: I have used a brush to “green up grass” when easter comes early… things like that in photoshop. You will just have to be VERY careful that the image stays natural looking. Create a new layer on top of your image (never make changes directly to your original) Select the brush tool (shortcut b) in a soft focus edge, select an appropriate color, turn down the opacity of the brush and “brush over” where you want the color. By using a low opacity, you can take multiple strokes to get the desired effect. If you overdo it, turn down the opacity of the layer itself. Just proceed with caution so your image does not look fake.
Tammy: btw, all brushes start out in b/w as default – but you can choose any color by clicking on the black square (the top or foreground color) and use the dialog box to pick a new color. Whatever brush you have selected will now be in that color.
Janie: “Editing is like a crutch” David of course I want to manipulate my photos. I am a photographer after all. I too believed that PS was kind of cheating when I was a newbie three years ago. I could go on and on about why some images need edited but I’m not a teacher. I ask you to please be very careful about how you answer questions on this site. If I were a new photographer I might have gotten discouraged and believed that editing is wrong which it is not in any way. This page that you’re on has PS actions available, are they wrong for not being a naturalist? I want my art to be different not just snapshots anyone can take. However if you are a master photographer yourself maybe I’ve been going at this all wrong. I’ll check out your work and I invite you to check out mine. However I do agree I can always try to shoot better…we should all strive to be better.. 🙂
Janie: Tammy,Thank you so much for your answer that is exactly what I was needing to know.. 🙂
Rebecca: I agree with you 110% Janie! Shame on you, David, for such a shortsighted answer. I sure hope you don’t EVER alter your images’ color, clarity,etc. in PS, because that would make you a hypocrite! I am glad to have had this question answered, and thanks to those who did!
Bridget: Editing is like a crutch — I’m glad nobody told Ansel Adams that! Although his manipulation was in a darkroom rather than on a computer, he went to great pains to get the best exposure possible and then enhanced his images. I do agree that one should always try to take the best image possible in camera.
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