"Beauty and Decay" - PSP Pro X3 - PhotoPaint

Beauty

Decay

I used some photographs taken by my Son, Keir M. Gatzka for enhancing. Both photographs were taken quite some time ago, with our first digital camera, a point and shoot small camera. So I did some searching in Picasa 3 to these older folders (yes I am a digital pack rat!) and found these photographs.

I opened with PSP Pro X3 and applied the Smart photo fix to each as an individual photograph. Then I upped the saturation quite a bit. I browsed the Picture Frame feature and found a Polaroid frame and used it on each as well.

I saved the large files and opened with PhotoPaint to apply the Tone Curve, lightly, to add depth to the images. Then I added my signature, as I am the enhancer of the photographs, and resampled for display here.

Both of these photographs were taken in and around our surrounding area, though the old machinery has been since cleaned away.

Listening --- Santana --- Moon Flower

"!Music Lives" - CorelDRAW - PhotoPaint - Filter Forge - PSP Pro X3

! Music Lives

I started to create an image today, a digital collage, about music and this is what I finished with. I had to search for some free music notation font files online and discovered two, MetDemo and MusiSync. I found a third that had guitar chord charts, Accord.

I took the font Abadi MT Condensed ExtraBold and used that for the phrase "Music Lives" and added an exclamation point from the font Basketcase. I found a photograph while browsing in Picasa 3 folders of a 12-string guitar so I used Little Ink Pot's Thredgeholder on it for line art and added a couple guitars to the piece.

Almost as an after thought I added an image of myself, unshaven, to add something more to it. I adjusted the image of me from a photograph in PSP Pro X3, making it a line art grunge image.

I also used Filter Forge's Photo Effects Grunge, altering some of the settings as before. This created a framed look, too.

Listening --- America --- This Is For All The Lonely People

"It Was Time I Decided" - Verse Perfect - CorelDRAW - PhotoPaint - Filter Forge

COLLIDED

AWAY

I was in the program Verse Perfect which is great for songwriting and poetry, I would recommend it, and it is free online. I wrote some verse and thought I could incorporate some graphic design with it so I opened Picasa 3 and CorelDRAW and found some grunge backgrounds I had saved and copied and pasted them into DRAW. Each one I worked on separately. I copied the verses from Verse Perfect  and pasted them into DRAW.

I played around with small caps, full caps and justification. Then I did some fun tilting and altering of words. I grouped the objects and text and copied to the clipboard and opened PhotoPaint and used File> New From Clipboard>, reducing the size of the large file to 75%of the original.

I fit to screen and applied the Tone Curve, for depth,  as I worked the individual pieces. Using Filter Forge's Photo Effects Grunge I decreased the grunge slider and increased the stains slider, also decreasing the frame slider and applied the effect.

The poem is not a happy one, but one of unreconciled differences in a relationship. All to common, but not the state I'm in, just a fictitious relationship.

Listening --- Bob Seger --- Roll Me Away 

"Up Close and Personal" - Digital Collage - Picasa 3 - PSP Pro X3 - PhotoPaint

Up Close and Personal

Busy day, short post. I created this collage in Picasa 3 of close up photographs of custom cars. I applied my High Contrast workflow to the image for display here. I used PhotoPaint and PSP Pro X3 for the effects and Filter Forge for the film frame.

I really like how easy it is to create these types of collages in Picasa 3, you browse to your folder containing the images and use Ctrl Click to select them from all the photographs. Then you can pick the type of collage you want like the Mosaic one I chose here. You can shuffle the photographs til you get a balance you like and then click Create Collage. I selected what it calls HDTV size and dimensions.

Infographics of gatzkART! - Klout, mentionmapp, Google Analytics, Blogger Stats - Mashup

Grunge Mashup

All together

Current Klout Score

mentionmapp Map

Google Analytics

Blogger Stats

I've become rather fond of Infographics, so I am displaying statistics from differing locations all about my blog gatzkART! The first image is a mashup of all the stats done in PhotoPaint with a Mayang's Texture grunge background.

I grouped them together in CorelDRAW and displayed them next in line. Then I shared the individual stats from each source. All these sources are available to the blogger and twitter online at their named locations. I find them useful and great fun to help me know where my blog is statistically at any given time.

I don't think anyone can find the bridge today.

"Last in Series" - Custom Cars - 2011 Woodward Dream Cruise - PhotoPaint - Filter Forge

1936 Cadillac

Excalibur

Alleyway End of Day

Here is the "Last in Series" of my Custom Cars photographic display of the 2011 Woodward Dream Cruise in Pontiac, Michigan. I enhanced these photographs in PhotoPaint and used Filter Forge's plugins for Vibrance and film framing.

I have more photographs but I selected the best of them for enhancement and sharing with you on my blog. In PhotoPaint I applied the Local Equalization and Tone Curve tools for texture and depth. I used Filter Forge's Photo Effects for the Vibrant colors and their Frames for light film frames.

Listening --- Dishwalla --- Counting Blue Cars

High Contrast Custom Cars Images - PhotoPaint - PSP Pro X3 - Filter Forge

62-63 Custom Chevy

Red Roadster

Custom Chevrolet

I have so many good photographs from the Woodward Dream Cruise I have to share some. I applied my High Contrast workflow to these photographs displayed today. I used PhotoPaint, PSP Pro X3, and Filter Forge to create the images.

My workflow for these High Contrast images has been reiterated many times on this blog. I refer you to the Tag Cloud to click on High Contrast for other examples of this style.

I did use PSP Pro X3 for texture and framing with the film like frames, and added some grunge to the frames with Filter Forge's Photo Effects Grunge while in PhotoPaint.

I have large files of each and I resampled for display online, per usual.

Listening --- Led Zeppelin --- When the Levee Breaks

"Deal With It!" - Is This Good Advice? - CorelDRAW - PhotoPaint

Deal With It!

I thought that a change of pace from all the Custom Cars photographs I have been sharing was in order. So I opened up CorelDRAW and Picasa 3 and found a texture from Mayang's Textures and copied and pasted it into CorelDRAW.

I created the quote, "I Thought I was Insane So I Checked and I Am, Now What Do I Do?"  I used the font FFF Tusj, which is a Pencil Sketch font, for that phrase. Then I added the common come back to such a question, "Deal With It!" in a font called Basketcase.  Followed by asking, "Is this Good Advice?" in a font called Cooper Black.

I figured that using the font Basketcase for the untoward phrase, "Deal With It!" was apropos. Not good advice in my estimation for someone who is emotionally disturbed, and even mentally ill.

I grouped all the text and the textured background in CorelDRAW and copied it to the clipboard and opened PhotoPaint. I used File> New From Clipboard for the large file, and pasted it into PhotoPaint. I applied the Tone Curve for depth and upped the saturation to add a boost to the colors. I saved that large file and resampled for display online and saved that iteration.

Listening --- Kirk Mathew Gatzka --- I'm Raw

Custom Cars from the Woodward Dream Cruise - PhotoPaint - PSP Pro X3 - Filter Forge

Custom Hudson

Cobra Pipes

55 Chevy

Some additional photographs given the High Contrast treatment in PhotoPaint, framed in PSP Pro X3, and color punched in Filter Forge's Photo Effects Vibrance. These are more of my photographs from the Woodward Dream Cruise at the Pontiac, Michigan location of the Cruise.

I applied the Local Equalization and the Tone Curve for texture and depth in PhotoPaint. I also added the Vibrant coloring with Filter Forge's Photo Effects while in PhotoPaint. I experimented with the framing while in PSP Pro X3 and applied the Time Machine feature with Edges selected.

Listening --- Beth Orton --- Stolen Car

More 2011 Woodward Dream Cruise - PhotoPaint - PSP Pro X3

Golden GTO

Custom 57 Chevy

Bronze and Chrome

Short post today, busy times. I am sharing more High Contrast images from the Woodward Dream Cruise taken in Pontiac, Michigan. I used similar techniques on my photographs as I did for yesterday's post. PhotoPaint and PSP Pro X3 and Filter Forge's Photo Effects were used to create these images.

I used the same framing in PSP as I did yesterday to lend to some consistency in each of these related photographs. I have many to work on and will continue to share them as a series.

Listening --- Bob Seger --- Travelin Man

2011 Woodward Dream Cruise - Before the Crowds - Pontiac - PhotoPaint - PSP Pro X3

Downtown Pontiac

Number 2

Truck Lights - Grill

I took my Canon Rebel XTi to Pontiac, Michigan on Friday to get some Pre-Woodward Dream Cruise photographs of the town and vehicles already for the weekend. I was able to get over 100 photographs of various cars and trucks, custom and stock. Today I browsed my new folder in Picasa 3 and selected some photographs to enhance and show.

Opening with PhotoPaint I went for the High Contrast images I like so much (they remind me of good HDR photographs.) I applied the Local Equalization and the Tone Curve for contrast and depth. I used Filter Forge's Photo Effects Vibrancy on the street scene and the Truck Lights.

I saved the large files and opened with PSP Pro X3 and added a hatch-like texture, and framed each photograph with the same frame type for consistency.

I have more yet to share as I pick and chose from my selections, I have ample work to display for the next few blog entries.

Listening --- The Beach Boys --- Fun, Fun, Fun

Digital Collage - Change of Face - PhotoPaint - PSP Pro X3

Change of Face

Late last night I was up so I worked on this digital collage. I scanned in some pieces from old magazines, using my Canon MP495 All-in-one. The dpi was at 300 for each scan, so they were very full of color and texture. I also added a butterfly clip art piece from Dover Publications Clip Art and a vector "dance" piece I did in 1996. So, old parts new collage.

I opened them all in PhotoPaint and cut and selected the pieces to place. I used a peacock as the background and added the face and the differing eyes and mouth. I endeavored to make an interesting image, as I do so enjoy digital collage creating. The title comes from my altering the facial features with differing pieces, thus: "Change of Face."

I saved the file in iterative saves at differing sizes. I opened the last save from Picasa 3 with Corel's PSP Pro X3. Here I looked for something delightfully digital. I found the framing section and found this classic museum like frame. I added it and it gives the image a distinctive flare. I did resample in PhotoPaint for the final image to show here on the blog.

Listening --- The Temptations --- Smiling Faces Sometimes

New PSP and Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 Images

Bald Eagle Lake Sunset

Washburn Lyon 6-String Guitar

I'm having an enjoyable time using Corel's PSP X3 and Painter Essentials 4 (which was a bonus prize along with PSP X3.) The images you see above are new ones that I did using these products. I did not keep track of all the steps I took as these are new programs to me and I need time to get used to them. Once I have I will be again explaining my techniques in detail.

As you can see I used an effect on the first image that created a 1960's like photographic image. The second image I used painterly effects in Painter Essentials both Illustration and Colored Pencils for this result.

I highly recommend these programs for your arsenal of Digital Photographic tools.

Listening --- Kirk Mathew Gatzka --- Evening Jam DADGAD

Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3 Experiment - Dodge Truck

I just won Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3 in a contest, (@corelapps on Twitter hosted it) and downloaded the program today. It took a while to install and search for all my photographs and images, but I have quite a few on my PC. (All backed up on an external hard drive.)

I opened my pictures and chose a folder or two to see what I might play with. I found my Dodge Truck folder and opened one of the photographs.

I went to the editor and fooled around with some adjustments. This one a painterly brush stroke and used the default settings. I then applied a Light filter which made it look like the sun was shining. This was also in the default setting.

Next I tried out the cropping tool and narrowed the focus of the image to the Truck and sun flare. I saved that iteration.

I wanted to do a bit more so I opened that with PhotoPaint and applied Filter Forge's Photo Effects Vibrance with each setting set at 100%. This really enhanced the texture and the light, as well as deepen other colors in the image.

I added a twenty pixel black border and my signature to complete my experiment.

I must say I am impressed with Paintshop Photo Pro X3 and it's ease of use. I did not read any of the help files to begin using some of the features, which is my playful way of approaching new software. I would recommend this software to those who want great control over the photographic process.

Listening --- The Beatles --- She Loves You

6 - Note Scales - Art Nouveau - Grunge Collage - PhotoPaint

I enjoy collage and I like the Art Nouveau period, and I like grunge like effects. Using Picasa 3 I browsed my folders for some corresponding pieces.

I found a painted rust background for a beginning. A view of a young lady playing a guitar like instrument complete with Ex Libris, which I subsequently erased. A 12-string guitar and some 6- Note Scales in musical notation. Some of these came from my Dover Publications clipart collection.

I opened PhotoPaint and combined the individual pieces using the object property of Multiply for transparency, with the exception of the musical scales where I used Color Burn.

I did use Little Ink Pot's Thredgeholder on the guitar image to reduce it to rough line art, altered it's angle and then added it to the background.

I added a sixty pixel white border then selected it with the wand. After that I applied the 3D Bevel feature to it creating a frame for the collaged image.


Listening --- Beck --- Bottle of Blues

Grunge - Vintage Style Clothes - Two Couples - Corel PhotoPaint

Two Couples Differing Dress Styles

I really enjoy the Dover Publications clip art I have. I can always make an interesting presentation collage from them. I browsed my Dover folder for some today and found recent sampler examples of Styles of dress from two differing periods. I decided to use them but needed a background.

Browsing my Rust Textures folder in Picasa 3 I found one I liked but it did not satisfy me. So I found a floral grunge texture piece nearby that folder and overlay the two. I first had to resize and rotate the floral texture to fit the other, then I overlapped them making the floral transparent.

I did this collage in PhotoPaint. I upped the saturation of the background before I added the couples. I selected the couple on the left and flipped them horizontally so the women were opposite each other. I resized both couples to fit and used the object (layer) property Color Burn to get the line art clear and the white background each had transparent. I selected another piece of clip art a piece of iron work and divided the couples.

I merged all the pieces together and added a white border which I selected with the wand tool and used the 3D Bevel feature for a frame. I upped the dpi to 96 from 72 to enlarge the image a bit and added my signature.

Listening --- Jethro Tull --- Fire at Midnight

Eyes - Victorian Tea Cup and a Brain with a Hat - PhotoPaint

A Victorian tea cup and saucer, a brain, a hat and some eyes, all on a William Morris floral background. This is what makes up today's image.

I opened Picasa 3 and browsed my folders for some Dover Publications clip art. I opened PhotoPaint and began the piece. I found the tea cup and the brain and decided that it would make a good pairing. I used the eraser to get rid of the portion of the cup and brain to settle them together.

I continued to browse and found a grouping of women's hats and selected one. I resized it to fit the upper brain and again erased what was not needed and sat the hat upon the brain.

I browsed my North Light Clip Art Series book and found a series of eyes and scanned in only one set. I again resized to fit with some overlapping for a winged look.

I copied the background to the clipboard and opened File New From Clipboard and copied and pasted the image of the cup et al. I did use the Tone Curve on the background to lighten it and boosted the saturation by 9. I used the layer property Multiply to lay the design upon the background with transparency.

I made the image the right size for display here and added my signature and a beveled frame to finish it.

Listening --- Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young --- Sweet Judy Blue Eyes

My Reply Was a Quick Thrust - CorelDRAW - PhotoPaint - Filter Forge

Abadi MT Condensed Extra Bold Font

I browsed my Mayang's Textures folder in Picasa 3 and selected a texture image for this piece, I opened it in PhotoPaint and applied the Tone Curve for greater depth and upped the saturation for color. I copied to the clipboard and moved into CorelDRAW.

Then I went to Fillerati.com for some text to work with and selected, in English, Edgar Rice Burroughs, A Princess of Mars and copied a snippet to the clipboard. In CorelDRAW I added the text and formatted it using small caps for the paragraph and all caps for the larger portion of the quote, which is a partial quote from the book. I also force justified the paragraph text and right justified the larger statement text.

I grouped the objects and text into one grouping and copied that to the clipboard. I pasted it into PhotoPaint at 75% the original. Using Filter Forge's Photo Effects Grunge I added the stains and more texture to the image. I saved the large file and resampled for display here adding my signature.

Listening --- Amanda Marshall --- Too Little, Too Late

Grunge Typography - Minimalism - CorelDRAW - PhotoPaint - Filter Forge

VTKS ROCK GARAGE BAND FONT

VIVALDI FONT

20TH CENTURY POSTER 1 FONT

SLIPPY FONT

Reading on the web about minimalism typography and logos I decided to take my initials and create some basic designs. I chose a grunge look and feel for the minimal designs. I opened CorelDRAW and used it's vector capabilities to make up the images.

I grouped each object and piece of text and copied to the clipboard to paste into PhotoPaint with File> New From Clipboard>. I did this to add the grunge style to each image. Each font I chose is listed under the subsequent image. I kept the colors very basic and the whole project simple. I used Filter Forge's Photo Effects Grunge for the staining and framing.

Listening --- Kirk Mathew Gatzka --- Basic Dirt - DADGAD

Communication No Breakdown - CorelDRAW - PhotoPaint

I was browsing my Dover Publications folder in Picasa 3 and came across this bit of clip art. It is two mailboxes with the phrase, "They Want to Know," in script. It also shows mail with postage going from one person to another.

It immediately made me think of all the ways we communicate  today, we talk and converse expressing ourselves. But, we also use the Internet for much of our communication.

Thus today's image. A simple one with few words and a single piece of clip art. I had planned on using a William Morris background but that appeared too busy. So I used more white space.

The fonts I used were Berlin Sans FB Demi (Bold) and Century Gothic Normal from my Corel Graphic Suite's collection of fonts and typefaces. I adjusted the character spacing on both the words, communication and express to fit. And enlarged the word TALK, as that is our major way of getting the message to another.

I right justified the words, Tweet, et al., to balance the piece.

I used PhotoPaint to cut and paste the clipart from there to CorelDRAW and did the rest of the image there.

Finished I saved the large image and then in PhotoPaint converted it to jpg format and resized it for display here.

Listening --- Alan Parson's Project --- Let's Talk About Me

Saving a Sailboat - PhotoPaint - Filter Forge

Some High Contrast photographs of the saving of a submerged sailboat. I opened each in PhotoPaint and resampled to from 640 x 480 to 1024 x 684. Then I applied the Local Equalization tool and the Tone Curve for depth. This added some texture to the images. I also used Filter Forge's Photo Effect Vibrance for some punch to the color.

I added a black border to each image as well.

Listening --- Peter Frampton --- Sail Away

Flea Market - Typography Portrait - CorelDRAW - PhotoPaint - Filter Forge

A short post today, very busy time wise. Here is some eye candy for your viewing pleasure. I used CorelDRAW and PhotoPaint and Filter Forge's Photo Effects for these images.

Listening --- The Beatles --- Come Together

A Bird in the Hand - CorelDRAW - Painter 11 - PhotoPaint

This image began as a piece of Dover Publications Clip Art from their online sampler. The woodcarving of the birds in the bush image I opened in PhotoPaint and resampled to 120dpi to increase it's size to work on it. I used the Tone Curve to give it more depth.

With Filter Forge's Photo Effects I applied a dreamy effect to it and toned it down slightly.

Saving that file I opened in Painter 11 and used Digital Watercolor brushes for painting the color into the image.

I scanned in a image of hands into PhotoPaint, from North Light Clip Art Series, and erased the parts I did not want so I only had one black and white hand image. I inverted the mask I created with the wand and selected only the hand with a Mask Channel.

I copied that to the clipboard and pasted it into the now painted picture in CorelDRAW. Using the typeface Arial Black and Rounded, I used the phrase, "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," and cut and adjusted the text.

I set that upon the hand as a group of text. Then grouped the whole image and copied it to the clipboard again. I opened with File New from Clipboard.

I resampled the large file in PhotoPaint and saved it with my signature.

Listening --- The Beatles --- Free as a Bird