OK…can 2020 get ANY more weird? Just after 8:00 this morning, I’m sitting in the living room and thought I heard a noise outside…just then the house starts shaking!!! I’m like, “uh, hon, why is the house shaking?” At first I thought it was the AC unit or something, and he goes, “no, that’s an earthquake”!! There was a 5.1 in Sparta, NC, which is 100 miles from us! Yikes! Thank goodness everything is OK here, though it looks like some damage close to the epicenter. Biggest one in the area in 100 years – but, of course it happened in 2020!!
AND…Keep reading to the end! In case you missed the webinar coupon, I’ve extended the 50% off on all texture and brush sets through midnight tonight!
Today’s Sunday Sampler consists of some “swipe” images that I “swiped” from hubby! In-camera motion swipes of clothing in a funky place in RI we visited a few years ago. I accented the motion with some extra effects in Topaz Studio. Enjoy!
Webinar Recording & Survey!
The recording of Tuesday’s webinar, “Creative Artistry with Textures, Topaz, Nik & Luminar” is on my Meredith Images YouTube Channel HERE! Please “Like” the video and “Subscribe” to my channel!
You can also find my previous webinars from the past few months on that YouTube Channel. The exception is Webinar #4 which I did in conjunction with the MD Photographic Society. They recorded that webinar and you can find it HERE.
As I have been doing for all of my webinars, you can purchase the Notes to follow along with the projects – these include the Notes, Images & Textures used – for just $5 in the Peacock Studio HERE. I appreciate your support with the purchase of notes and textures as this helps me continue to do these webinars for you.
And, as mentioned at the end of the webinar, following are my affiliate links for Topaz, Luminar and Nik.
Topaz – CLICK HERE to use my link and then use the code MeredithImages at checkout to save an additional 15%.
Luminar – CLICK HERE to use my affiliate link. You can then download a trial or purchase. Use the code MeredithImages at checkout to save $10.
Nik Collection by DxO – CLICK HERE to use my affiliate link.
Survey for Webinar Topics and future products!
What would YOU like to see me demonstrate in my next webinar?
Are you interested in other virtual workshops?
Would you like a monthly club?
I value your input on all of these questions and more in the current Survey!
Complete the survey and receive a FREE set of Textures!
The recording of Tuesday’s webinar, “Creative Artistry with Textures, Topaz, Nik & Luminar” is on my Meredith Images YouTube Channel HERE! Please “Like” the video and “Subscribe” to my channel!
You can also find my previous webinars from the past few months on that YouTube Channel. The exception is Webinar #4 which I did in conjunction with the MD Photographic Society. They recorded that webinar and you can find it HERE.
As I have been doing for all of my webinars, you can purchase the Notes to follow along with the projects – these include the Notes, Images & Textures used – for just $5 in the Peacock Studio HERE. I appreciate your support with the purchase of notes and textures as this helps me continue to do these webinars for you.
And, as mentioned at the end of the webinar, following are my affiliate links for Topaz, Luminar and Nik.
Topaz – CLICK HERE to use my link and then use the code MeredithImages at checkout to save an additional 15%.
Luminar – CLICK HERE to use my affiliate link. You can then download a trial or purchase. Use the code MeredithImages at checkout to save $10.
Nik Collection by DxO – CLICK HERE to use my affiliate link.
Survey for Webinar Topics and future products!
What would YOU like to see me demonstrate in my next webinar?
Are you interested in other virtual workshops?
Would you like a monthly club?
I value your input on all of these questions and more in the current Survey!
Complete the survey and receive a FREE set of Textures!
Bokeh sets have been very popular. They are great to either replace a background or blend with the current background to give you a softer look.
This new release is 50% off until this Sunday, Aug. 10th.
AND…at the end of the webinar I shared a coupon code good for 50% off ALL OTHER TEXTURE SETS AND BRUSH SETS – GOOD ONLY TILL FRIDAY 8/7 at Midnight EDT!
Don’t miss out! Use the code LISEMINAR50 at checkout to get 50% off!
Webinar Q&A
While I answer as many questions as possible during the webinar, time constraints prevents me from getting to them all. I will answer more questions here – and repeat a few from the webinar in case you missed them.
Q: How did you select and remove the background in the first project?
A: Due to time constraints of a webinar, I did a quick review of removing a background – here is more detail on that process.
Here is the original image:
First, duplicate your background layer. I added a B&W Adjustment to give the image more contrast, and moved all of the color sliders to 100. Select the B&W Adjustment Layer and the duplicate layer beneath it and merge those 2 layers (Layer > Merge Layers).
Then use the Magic Wand tool with the Tolerance at 40 and uncheck the box that says “Contiguous” (we want it to select all of the sky, even between the spikes of the flower). You will probably need to click more than once to get all of the sky selected – hold down the SHIFT key to add to the selection. Don’t worry about the areas in the lower left and lower right – we’ll deal with those in a minute.
Once the selection is what you want, hit the DELETE key on your keyboard (for PC) or BACKSPACE (for Mac). Turn off the visibility of the original layer at the bottom and you will now see a transparent background (indicated by the “checkerboard” pattern).
The layers will look like this:
You can then use the Eraser Tool (or a Layer Mask) to remove the unwanted areas in the lower left and lower right. Then proceed with the rest of the project.
Q: I don’t work in JPG. Can I save a texture as a PSD or PNG?
A: Yes and No! If you are creating a new texture, whether with brushes or by merging two existing textures, you first want to save it as a TIF or PSD to keep the layers. However, so that you can easily use the texture on another image, you will want a flattened version that is saved as a JPG or PNG. Almost all textures that you purchase or find for free are JPGs. Sometimes they also include PNGs, but usually only if they have transparent areas.
Q: Can you still get Topaz AI Clear or was it replaced by Sharpen AI?
A: AI Clear is part of Studio 2 – it was never a standalone product. It was not replaced by Sharpen AI. I like to use AI Clear as a first step in Photoshop (after doing basic edits in Lightroom) to add Clarity, Detail and Denoise to an image. 99% of the time I use the default slider settings. It’s one of my most favorite Topaz functions!
Q: What is a good size to design backgrounds/textures?
A: I make mine either 15″ x 10″ (if it is image-based) or 15″ x 15″ (if it is being made with brushes in PS). Always at 300 dpi. This gives you a nice large file for blending with your photos.
Q: What is the difference between a Merged Layer and a Flattened Layer?
A: Great question! Flattening layers creates one layer that contains everything you have done in that project (NEVER do this until you first save your file as a TIF or PSD with the layers!).
With the Merge layers function, you can combine selected layers into one – as I showed in the flower image above.
You can also create a Merged Layer that contains all of the layers in the project but doesn’t flatten it. I use that function often as I demonstrated a couple times in the webinar. The keyboard shortcut to do that is Control + Alt + Shift + E on a PC, or Command + Option + Shift + E on a Mac.
Q: How do you switch from the other programs (Topaz, Nik or Luminar) and back to Photoshop?
A: All of the other programs are installed by default into the FILTER menu of Photoshop.
Q: Is there any advantage to using DeNoise AI before doing the other edits?
A: That is what Topaz does suggest! See below for Topaz’s “Best Workflow”. Obviously you don’t need every product on every image, but if you have an exceptionally noisy image, then yes, DeNoise should be used first. The reason for this workflow is that some products can cause “artifacts” and weird things if used in a different order.
Q: Could you also do these basic edits in Topaz Studio 2 (or Luminar)?
A: Yes! If you do not wish to use Photoshop at all, you can do full editing in Studio 2 or Luminar.
You can work with textures in any program that can do layers (PS, Luminar, On1, Affinity, Corel, etc.)
Q: What are the links to the Luminar and Nik tutorials?
Also, it was mentioned there are webinars/tutorials by several people on YouTube: Anthony Morganti (Nik); Dan Hughes (Nik); and more I’m sure! Do a search for the subject on YouTube to find more.
Whew, lots of good questions! If there is something else you’d like me to answer, email me at Hazel@MeredithImages.com.
Join me this afternoon at 4:00 pm EDT for “Creative Artistry with Topaz, Nik & Luminar”. I will have all new projects and demonstrate some different features of each program and how I use them in my creative workflow.
I’ve added a new Bokeh texture set to the Peacock Studio. These bokehs were photographed at several gardens in CT. Great for switching out – or blending with – a busy background!
ON SALE 50% OFF ONLY UNTIL SUNDAY! CLICK HERE to grab your set!
My friends at Pixelo have some great FREEBIES for you! And if you missed this one previously, one freebie is a set of Meredith Images textures! This set is not available in my store, so grab it now for FREE!
And while not quite free, this “Gothic Font Bundle” from Pixelo is just $29! 70 Fonts across 34 font families inspired by old lettering and sign painting.
My friends at Pixelo have some great FREEBIES for you! And if you missed this one previously, one freebie is a set of Meredith Images textures! This set is not available in my store, so grab it now for FREE!
Join me on Tuesday, August 4th at 4:00 pm EDT for “Creative Artistry with Topaz, Nik & Luminar”. I will have all new projects and demonstrate some different features of each program and how I use them in my creative workflow.
A barn pic I posted back in September – from one of my twelve trips to TN last year before moving in at the end of October!
This is the RAW file taken with my Panasonic Lumix G7.
I brought it into Photoshop first (from Lightroom, though I did not make any adjustments in LR). In PS I used the healing brush to get rid of the pole on the left side and then cropped the image a bit on the top, bottom and right.
In PS I duplicated the layer and opened Studio 2 (Filter > Topaz Studio 2).
First I added a Filter > AI Clear > Sharpness = High
Next, Filter > Basic Adjustment with these changes: Exposure = .20 Clarity = .38 Shadows = .42 Highlights = -.55
Then add Filter > Texture > Category=Meredith Images > French Tuck. Blending Mode Hard Light; Opacity 42%
Add Filter > Texture > Category=Meredith Images > Russet. Blending Mode Soft Light; Opacity 35%. I added a layer mask and masked this texture off of the barn.
Click Accept to return to Photoshop. Here is the layers in Studio:
And this is the finished image:
READ ON FOR A SPECIAL LUMINAR DISCOUNT ADDED SINCE THE WEBINAR!
The recording of “Creative Editing Using Textures, Topaz, Nik & Luminar” is now on my Meredith Images YouTube channel HERE! Please “Like” the video and “Subscribe” to my channel!
As I have been doing for my webinars, you can purchase the Notes to follow along with the projects – these include the Notes, Images & Textures used – for just $5 in the Peacock Studio HERE.
And, as mentioned at the end of the webinar, following are my affiliate links for Topaz & Luminar.
Topaz – CLICK HERE to use my link and then use the code MeredithImages at checkout to save an additional 15%.
Luminar – CLICK HERE to use my affiliate link. You can then download a trial or purchase.
An update was released last week! They now have version 4.3 (from 4.2). If you already own 4.0 or higher, this is a free upgrade.
If you don’t own this fabulous software yet, you can use my affiliate link HERE and save 25%! They are also having a sale on other Skylum products plus additional sky sets and other looks for Luminar. Check them all out HERE!
BREAKING NEWS!! I just received my own Luminar discount code a couple days ago! If you use my links above and the code MeredithImages at checkout you can save an additional $10! IF YOU PURCHASED LUMINAR WITH MY LINK SINCE THE WEBINAR, EMAIL ME AND I WILL GIVE YOU A $10 CREDIT TO SPEND IN THE PEACOCK STUDIO!
Press Release: “We’re excited to announce we’ve released an update to Sharpen AI. This major update includes a new auto-detect masking tool to generate base masks. It can detect 20 different types of subjects, including people, cars, planes, and various animals. This feature can be accessed by clicking the “Masking” brush button to the right in the file list and then “Find Objects” in the left corner.
“We’ve also added an “auto-detect mode” capability which will allow Sharpen AI to select the best processing mode for your image (from the Focus, Stabilize, and Sharpen modes). Each of those three modes tackles image blur at its root cause, but now users can let Sharpen AI choose for them. This update will allow users to take full advantage of Sharpen AI’s technology by requiring less user input to generate great results.”
If you already own Sharpen AI this is a free upgrade! Just log in to your account and go to the downloads page.
If you don’t have this fab software yet, use my affiliate link HERE and then the code MeredithImages at checkout to save an additional 15%!
Reg. $79.99 on sale for $59.99 – just $51 with my discount code! Sale ends August 7th.
They also have the Utility Bundle on sale, which includes Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, Gigapixel AI and JPEG to RAW AI. Reg. $249.99, on sale for $195.99 – just $167 with my discount code! Click HERE to check it out! Sale ends Aug. 7th.
ENDS SUNDAY! NEW TEXTURE SETS PLUS SUMMER SALE!
SALE ENDS SUNDAY! Don’t miss out on 50% off! Check them out HERE or click on the individual photos below!
AND…you can save 30% off any other texture set, eBook or Personal Training with the code SUMMER30 at checkout!
Personal Training is one-on-one online. We will screen share and can work on whatever you’d like to learn – Photoshop, Lightroom, Textures, Topaz, etc. Purchase 1 Hour, 5 Hour Package or 10 Hour Package now on sale and use at your convenience!
SALE ENDS SUNDAY, JULY 26th
This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Thanks!
Thanks to everyone who joined me last week for the live webinar! If you missed it – or want to watch again and practice with the notes – you can find the replay on my Meredith Images YouTube channel HERE!
You find links to all five of my own webinar recordings as well as Topaz webinars that I have done and other articles and interviews HERE!
Please remember to “like” the videos and “follow/subscribe” to my YouTube Channel – Thanks!
TWO NEW TEXTURE SETS IN THE PEACOCK STUDIO PLUS SUMMER SALE!
Last week I released two new texture sets – Watercolors with a touch of grunge! These were created with a combination of techniques – some painted watercolors, some computer painted watercolors, some alcohol ink, some from photographs plus post-processing…a little bit of everything in my toolbox!
These two sets are on sale through July 26th at 50% off! Check them out HERE or click on the individual photos below!
AND…you can save 30% off any other texture set, eBook or Personal Training with the code SUMMER30 at checkout!
Personal Training is one-on-one online. We will screen share and can work on whatever you’d like to learn – Photoshop, Lightroom, Textures, Topaz, etc. Purchase 1 Hour, 5 Hour Package or 10 Hour Package now on sale and use at your convenience!
SALE ENDS JULY 26th
This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Thanks!
THANK YOU to all those who signed up and watched the webinar on Tuesday! The recording of “Creative Editing Using Textures, Topaz, Nik & Luminar” is now on my Meredith Images YouTube channel HERE! Please “Like” the video and “Subscribe” to my channel!
As I have been doing for my webinars, you can purchase the Notes to follow along with the projects – these include the Notes, Images & Textures used – for just $5 in the Peacock Studio HERE.
And, as mentioned at the end of the webinar, following are my affiliate links for Topaz & Luminar.
Topaz – CLICK HERE to use my link and then use the code MeredithImages at checkout to save an additional 15%.
Luminar – CLICK HERE to use my affiliate link. You can then download a trial or purchase (keep reading for info on an update and sale!).
WEBINAR Q&A
As promised, here are the answers to some of the questions asked in the chat box during the webinar.
Q: What are the Mac equivalents for the keyboard shortcuts? A: I tried to give them as I went, but in case I missed some or you need them again, here they are: To fill a layer with a solid color PC=Alt + Backspace Mac=Option + Delete To create a Merged Layer PC=Control + Alt + Shift + E Mac=Command + Option + Shift + E Right Click on a PC = Control + Click on a Mac (or two-finger click) Any time I use a shortcut with “Control”, on a Mac it would be “Command”. Any time I use a shortcut with “Alt, on a Mac it would be “Option”.
Q: Do you ever reduce the opacity of AI Clear or Precision Detail, or any other Topaz filters? A: Yes, there are times when I get back to Photoshop and find the effect a little too “strong”. So then you can lower the opacity of that layer (that’s why I always duplicate my layer before taking it in to Topaz).
Q1: Can you add your own skies to Luminar? Q2: Can you see the skies that come with Luminar without clicking on each one? A: This was kind of a two-part question, so I wanted to answer together. Yes, you can do both! It’s a “hidden” method (thanks to Roni Chastain for sharing it!). You can add your own skies to the folder inside the Luminar program. On a PC it would be under This PC > Local Disk (C): > Program Files > Skylum > Luminar 4 > profiles > SkyTextures (screen shot below):
Add your skies to this folder. I just added my Puffy Clouds, Stormy Skies and Sunrises-Sunsets Texture Sets! (For Mac users – find the program file and sub-folder through your Finder.)
And while you’re in that folder, you can COPY (don’t CUT) the skies that come with the program and place in a folder on your Desktop for future reference!
So…speaking of Luminar…
An update was released today! They now have version 4.3 (from 4.2). If you already own 4.0 or higher, this is a free upgrade.
If you don’t own this fabulous software yet, you can use my affiliate link HERE and save 25%! They are also having a sale on other Skylum products plus additional sky sets and other looks for Luminar. Check them all out HERE!
TWO NEW TEXTURE SETS IN THE PEACOCK STUDIO PLUS SUMMER SALE!
I just released two new texture sets – Watercolors with a touch of grunge! These were created with a combination of techniques – some painted watercolors, some computer painted watercolors, some alcohol ink, some from photographs plus post-processing…a little bit of everything in my toolbox!
These two sets are on sale today through July 26th at 50% off! Check them out HERE or click on the individual photos below!
AND…you can save 30% off any other texture set, eBook or Personal Training with the code SUMMER30 at checkout!
Personal Training is one-on-one online. We will screen share and can work on whatever you’d like to learn – Photoshop, Lightroom, Textures, Topaz, etc. Purchase 1 Hour, 5 Hour Package or 10 Hour Package now on sale and use at your convenience!
SALE ENDS JULY 26th
My friends at Pixelo have a new font bundle that has been very popular. “The Masculine Font Bundle” contains 134 Bold and Sharp Fonts for all your projects.
The bundle includes: – 134 masculine fonts from 46 font families – Multi-language support – Lifetime access – Commercial license
Click HERE to grab your copy for just $29 (a $1670 value)!
This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Thanks!
WEBINAR TODAY! DON’T MISS OUT! JULY 14th at 4:00 PM
All new creative projects! Using textures & Topaz, but also Nik & Luminar! Nik recently had an upgrade that had me looking at it again, and Luminar had an upgrade too (I’ve had the software, but never really dove into it). I finally checked out their AI Sky Replacement – Game Changer!!! You are going to be amazed!! Click the Red Button below to register!
TWO NEW TEXTURE SETS IN THE PEACOCK STUDIO PLUS SUMMER SALE!
I just released two new texture sets – Watercolors with a touch of grunge! These were created with a combination of techniques – some painted watercolors, some computer painted watercolors, some alcohol ink, some from photographs plus post-processing…a little bit of everything in my toolbox!
These two sets are on sale today through July 26th at 50% off! Check them out HERE or click on the individual photos below!
AND…you can save 30% off any other texture set, eBook or Personal Training with the code SUMMER30 at checkout!
Personal Training is one-on-one online. We will screen share and can work on whatever you’d like to learn – Photoshop, Lightroom, Textures, Topaz, etc. Purchase 1 Hour, 5 Hour Package or 10 Hour Package now on sale and use at your convenience!
SALE ENDS JULY 26th
My friends at Pixelo have a new font bundle that has been very popular. “The Masculine Font Bundle” contains 134 Bold and Sharp Fonts for all your projects.
The bundle includes: – 134 masculine fonts from 46 font families – Multi-language support – Lifetime access – Commercial license
Click HERE to grab your copy for just $29 (a $1670 value)!
This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Thanks!
All new creative projects! Using textures & Topaz, but also Nik & Luminar! Nik recently had an upgrade that had me looking at it again, and Luminar had an upgrade too (I’ve had the software, but never really dove into it). I finally checked out their AI Sky Replacement – Game Changer!!! You are going to be amazed!! Click the Red Button below to register!
This week’s Sunday Sampler is by my hubby Dave! He took some sunrise photos this morning, then took one and blurred it and created several versions. These blurred colors will be great overlays for backgrounds, or to add color to another sky image! Enjoy!
TEXTURE SALE ENDS TODAY!
LAST CHANCE! The sale on the newest texture sets ends today at midnight EDT!
There are THREE sets of sky textures — Puffy Clouds, Stormy Skies and Sunrise-Sunset. I also created a new set of overlays that work great with these skies. The overlays are 3 versions each in Gold, Silver, Rose Gold and Copper. They will let you warm up or cool down your images (examples below).
Be sure to read to the end, however! There is also a special bundle deal on all 4 products!
Who doesn’t love a sky filled with puffy clouds! These 12 give you a variety from cotton candy puffs to wispy streaks and more! CLICK HERE for the product page!
Dramatic stormy skies, the edges of storms, and rain with a rainbow edge! CLICK HERE for the product page!
Gorgeous sunrises and sunsets! Stunning colors from pastels to bold to make your images glow! CLICK HERE for product page!
Metallic overlays – gold, silver, rose gold and copper. A great way to warm up or cool down your image! CLICK HERE for product page!
These four textures are regular $12 per set. On sale through July 5th for $9 per set. BUT…if you want to grab all 4 (a $48 value), you can get this special bundle for just $27! That’s only $6.75 per set!! CLICK HERE to get the bundle!
Here’s a barn image (but of course) with a blah sky:
I masked out the old sky and brought in one of the Puffy Clouds skies:
I added one of my bird brushes to add even more drama:
Then I used the Gold Canvas Texture to give it a golden hour glow:
I then tried an even more dramatic sky from the Stormy Skies collection:
I think that is MUCH better than the original, don’t you??
NEXT WEBINAR JULY 14th!
Join me for all-new projects as I demonstrate some creative post-processing. I will be using Photoshop and Topaz as well as some Nik and Luminar! You’ll be AMAZED at Luminar’s AI Sky Replacement! Game changer! See the before and after below!
I will post the sign-up link in Thursday’s blog. See you on July 14th at 4:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time.
BEFORE (original sky)AFTER (Luminar AI Sky Replacement)
Meredith Images Blog 
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