Input

Hey guys, im trying to catch up to the rush of fantastic photoshop artists out there. I have been in the stone age only using filters, but anyways, im testing new things out, and it would be great to get some input/ways to make it look better. thanks.

First step to making good looking Photoshop art is to stop using filters!

Well, you can use filters all you want, but to make good looking art, you have to make it look inconspicuous. I can spot a filter a mile away if it hasn't been carefully made to not look like a filter.

Start using layer masks if you havent done so already.

Layer blending modes also are a great tool of PS to learn.

Play with your channels and see what effects you can do with them.

Learn the vector tools. Not hard to figure out, and can be very useful for masking as well.

And create your own brushes. You can get some very dazzling effects by making your own oddly shapped brushes and simply wiping them around the document.

AVOID using the eraser tool. If you have to erase, use a layer mask so that you don't permanently eliminate pixels if you mess up. The history undo can help with the eraser, but masks provide an even better methold of cleaning up an image.

The only filters I ever use are the blur and sharpen ones.

A good thing to try when starting out in Photoshop is just to play around with everything and see what you can come up with. For instance, render some clouds and then just start throwing in some filters and blending modes here and there. Eventually, you'll find something that hopefully looks good and unique.

no-retreat.com/banner.jpg
Thanks for the help guys. I made this the other night with a little help here and there from tutorials. I know i need something else but im not sure what. BTW, there is a white border around it if you cant see that. Any ideas on how to touch it up? Also, what exactly does masking do?

the best piece of PS advice I ever got was to not be afraid of making buttloads of layers.

I know, it sounds lame, but I think everyone will agree that a .psd with 200 layers, layer effects, modes and masks kicks serious ass.

oh, think of masking just like the tape. It hides visibility from certain areas, gives visibility to others.

So, anything about banner.jpg? Help/input/ways to touch it up? please. once again, http://www.no-retreat.com/banner.jpg
?????????

Any input??? I know i need something else...

maybe try to balance it by putting something in the top right corner.
-or-
maybe give it a centralized subject, as well. like something you're into or something you want to try to "shove" at viewers.

don't get me wrong, it's fine like it is, but those are just some suggestions that might take your banner "to the next level"

...or something like that.

have fun with it.