GeekSugar

How To Get Rid of Zits With Photoshop

GeekSugar — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 09:05:16 -0700

Remember when you were going through puberty and your mom tried to make you feel better by saying that zits aren't permanent? Did you remind her about pictures? Because photographs are forever, and zits shouldn't be. I don't have any great tips for prevention (go to Bella for that), but I do have some good post-production advice: Photoshop!

Since so many of you copped to using Photoshop to improve pics of yourself in some way, I though I'd share my favorite tool for getting rid of zits. You just need basic familiarity with Photoshop to do this, so step into my lab of narcissism!

To see the tips and how-to video, just read more

My favorite Photoshop tool is the Clone tool - it's key for erasing zits and blemishes by simply taking a small patch of another part of the picture, and using that to "erase" other patches. Here are the super easy instructions, and I've even included a video of me getting rid of a cursed zit to guide you.

After you've dragged your photo into Photoshop, select it and make sure you're working on that layer. If the layer is locked, double-click on it to unlock it.
At the bottom of the canvas, increase the percentage so that the area you want to work in is much larger, (and therefore easier to work with).
Select the Clone tool.
At the top toolbar, adjust the size of the clone tool so it's a workable size, and make sure it's a feathered brush.
Find a patch of your beautiful, unblemished skin and option+click it. Choose a patch that's adjacent to the zit you're going to cover up so that the lighting and skin tone are the same. This will be the "paintbrush" you'll use to cover the zit.
Then, simply click over the zit and the nice, unblemished patch should cover the blemished patch. Depending on the size, you may need to click more than once, and with this tool, I find it's easier to click once and let go, rather than clicking and dragging. (If you start to see parts of the picture come into your "paintbrush," then just re-option-click a new patch.
Save your work, and admire your gorgeous mug the way nature intended it!

Make Your Photos Look Like Mini Models in Photoshop

GeekSugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:01:56 -0700

Is this a picture of a miniaturized London street? Nope, it's the real deal, just made to look like a tiny version of itself! The effect is called Tilt-Shift and it's totally awesome. You can make virtually any picture look like a scaled down version of the real thing with a few easy adjustments in Photoshop. Assuredly, once you bust out your own completed works, there will be plenty of praise from pals who are amazed with your digital skillz. Yes, that's skills with a z, 'cause you're just that good.

Check out this easy-to-follow tutorial to get you on your way. One quick tip though - make sure your photos of choice are taken from a higher angle, as miniature scale models are usually shot from above. I've already done several of my own landscape shots, so be warned, it's kind of addicting!

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Geek Tip: Turn Your Digital Photos Into Wall Art

GeekSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:00:30 -0700

So you can change your photos to look like mini models, or fool people into thinking you took your pics on a plastic Lomo camera, but what if you love the turnout so much, you want to make it into a work of art? "No problemo," says Shutterfly!

Shutterfly offers some pretty easy ways for your photos to get the attention they deserve. One of the ways is turning your digital pics into canvas art. Just upload your chosen photo to Shutterfly, chose your size, and in a few days, your stretched canvas artwork will arrive at your doorstep. It's not the cheapest service they offer - with prices ranging from $90-150 - but this would make an awesome gift for someone special, or to just give yourself a reward for all that hard work in Photoshop!

Brush Up on Your Photography Skills

GeekSugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 05:50:21 -0700

Even if you're a whiz with the camera, there's always room for a little improvement. I've rounded up some of my favorite geeksugar photo tips and tricks to help you take better photos, look good in front of the camera, and other helpful picture secrets you may not have known about before.

How to Take Quality Camera Phone Pics	Make Your Photos Look Like Mini Models in Photoshop	5 Simple SLR Tips For Better Photos
How to Look Good in Front of the Camera	Top 7 Reasons to Scan Your Old Photos	How to Avoid Blinking in Photos

Geek Out: What Type of Tech Do You Use at Work?

GeekSugar — Fri, 08 May 2009 07:33:43 -0700

Tip type. Tip type. Tip type. Those of us who work in offices sit at our computers for most of the day, but what we actually do on and with our machines varies more than most people (especially Luddites!) realize. Some jobs rely on fancy databases or equipment, some on single programs like InDesign and Photoshop, and some simply on good old fashioned email.

Whenever I watch The Office I am blown away at the notion of relying on a landline, Excel and email all workday because I hop through applications and gadgets like the Energizer Bunny. What machinery and programs do you use daily to perform your work duties?

Photo courtesy of NBC

How to Make Photo Seed Packet Wedding Favors With Your Printer

GeekSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 13:10:04 -0700

Not that it should be thought of as a trend, but it's clear that this is the year that people are finally paying attention to how they can green their weddings and cut down on the event's impact on the environment. And if it is a trend, let's hope that it stays "in" forever!

So today's wedding geek tip succeeds in being green, geeky, and creative: seed packets with you and your fiancé's face on them! With my DIY skills below, adapted from Kodak's website, you'll be able to make seed packets for other stuff too - invitations, announcements, greeting cards . . . there's no end to creativity when you have an inkjet printer and a little brainpower.

To see how to make the packets, just read more.

Download the Kodak-provided PDF for the seed packet template. I find that the one they provide is a little too chintzy, so you could use the dimensions from their template and design a packet that's more you.
If you have Photoshop, add your picture, names, and date to the design. Otherwise, you can glue the picture of the two of you to the template after you print it out.
Print out the paper with the template on and cut it out. If you didn't Photoshop your face on the packet, glue it on now and write or stamp in your names.
Fold the seed packet and glue the side flaps down.
Add the seed of your choosing to the packets (about a handful) and glue it shut.
Your seed packets are now ready for wedding favoring!

To see more of our wedding coverage, be sure to check out IDoSugar!

Selecting the Right Wedding Photographer

GeekSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:00:42 -0700

Now that we're in full wedding planning mania, you've already started on your wedding website, and sorted out your online wedding registry, so hopefully you still have enough vigor left in you to start your search for your wedding photographer! Since this task is one of the most important for your big day (next to the dress of course), you'll want to put some serious thought and effort into choosing the right photographer to capture your wedding. If you have no idea where to start, I can give you some tips on how to hit the ground running.

Film or Digital?
Although digital photography might be something you are leaning towards (since you all are so tech savvy!), there are some factors to consider for both. The rich depth and grain of film photography is something unique that you can only get with film. Sure, your digital photographer can fiddle around with Photoshop for each of your photos to try and bring out those same qualities, but it's just not the same. Besides, I'm sure that would be a ton of OT for the poor guy, and who knows how high that would bring the cost of the service! But digital photography also has its benefits. To see what they are, read more

When shooting with digital cameras, for each image captured, you have instant feedback. You can adjust the settings, angles, and light right away to make sure you get just the right pic. . . and you won't be disappointed if a roll of film turns out crappy when you get it back. Plus, there is essentially no limit to how many photos can be taken. Also, if you are interested in getting your pics onto a disk, website, coffee table book or want to turn them into an awesome slideshow, digital is the simplest and easiest way to do it.

What style?
There are some photographers that specialize in portraits, and some in wedding photojournalism. Wedding photojournalism is something that has become more popular in the past decade due to its ability to capture candid moments that really bring the photos to life.

FAQ
After you make those essential decisions, it's time to pick a few photographers and meet with them. Here are some important questions to keep in mind when interviewing your selections:

Ask if they are the ones who will be photographing your wedding, and if the samples you are viewing are from their portfolio. If not, ask to meet the photographer that will be shooting your wedding and check out samples from their past events.
What is included in the packages, and what is the breakdown of costs. Ask if there is a way to customize a package to fit your needs and ideal budget.
Will an assistant be used? If so, is that an added fee?
What is the estimated time frame for finished photos?
Are CD's, proofs, and photo albums an added cost?
How many rolls of film do they typically use, and what is the cost per roll?

Hopefully these tips can get you on your way to choosing the perfect photographer for your big day! Do you have any tips to share? Leave them in the comments below! Plus, check out more of our wedding coverage on I Do Sugar.

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How to Put Photos on Your iPod

GeekSugar — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 07:03:45 -0800

I had my video iPod for months before I took the time to upload my favorite photos onto it. Once I did, I realized how much I had been missing. I figure, if you have an iPod with a color display, your music player can do double-duty as an image viewer and you might as well use it!

If you're using a Mac-based iPod, you can view JPEG, TIFF, JPG 2000, GIF, PICT, PNG, SGI, and BMP images on your iPod. On a Windows-based iPod, you can view JPEG, TIFF, GIF, PNG, and BMP images. For tips on how to make it work, just read more

To get photos and images from your computer onto your iPod, you can either sync a folder of images on your computer with iPod, or sync images from software. On a Mac, you can sync from iPhoto 4.0.3 or later; on Windows, you can sync from Adobe Photoshop Album 2.0 or later, or Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0 or later. All you need is a little help from iTunes to do the deed.

Check out these tips for Syncing Photos from a Mac.
Check out these tips for Syncing Photos from a PC.

Take Free Online Photography Classes Thanks to HP

GeekSugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:00:37 -0700

It's not every day I come across something that is no-strings-attached free! And the best part is that this freebie will actually teach you something - tech related! If you want to brush up on your digital photography skills, Hewlett Packard is offering free HP online classes on a variety of topics such as basic tips about digital cameras to online photo editing.

One class that would probably be quite helpful for a lot of geeks is the Adobe Photoshop for photographers class. In this class you will learn how to make enhancements and corrections to pics as well as experiment with some special effects.

Enrollment for this class starts June 4 and runs until July 31. There will be two lessons each week and the class will end August 8.

Party Favors for Your Geek Chic Reception

GeekSugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:45:36 -0700

A geeky girl's dream wedding would include an awesome reception where everyone mingles, fills up on delish food and drink, and has a total blast while celebrating your big day. To help make this dream a reality, you'll want to check a few things off your "To Do" list beforehand. Of course you'll need music and entertainment, plus something fun to fill your guests' time. Party favors are a hit with crowds because it gives people something to do while the food line goes down and occupies the kiddies while the 'rents are busy networking your other guests for photoshop tips.

What kind of party favors would a geeky couple provide? Well, besides going green and sending your guests home with plantable trees from the Arbor Day Foundation, you can let them entertain themselves with a number of inexpensive and totally geeky gifts. For example, Rubik's cubes on the tables, or even take home Rubik's Cube Keychains will keep the nerdiest of guests focused, and will satisfy the younger geeks-in-training by keeping their hands (and minds) busy.

I have more geeky party favor ideas when you read more

Make it a team effort with crossword puzzles or Sudoku printed tablecloths or napkins. Seriously, what geek hasn't been obsessed at one point with beating the Brain Age Sudoku puzzles on their Nintendo DS? Having them show off their puzzle prowess will surely make a long lasting impression. Just by going to any custom printing shop with a tablecloth of choice and a puzzle or two, you can get a unique geeky wedding activity. Just don't forget to provide pens and/or crayons so that people can actually do the puzzle!
Handing out USB Flash drives is an uber geeky gift that you can personalize with your wedding day message. Have it engraved with your names and the date, or customize with a personal message. "Live long and prosper" would be my personal choice. Since this could get a little higher on the price scale, you can reserve the flash drives for the wedding party alone if you are running low on cash.
Since I got this as a Christmas exchange gift once, I can personally tell you about the joys of the keychain digital camera. These little guys are super fun and will hold up to a beating by your keys (if you actually keep it on your keychain). Plus, guests can take photos while at the wedding and have them to remember later. Think about designating a Flickr/Shutterfly tag (ex: Geek and Geekette's Wedding) so everyone who took photos at the event, whether it be from the keychain camera or their own, can upload and tag them properly, making a huge virtual photo album online.
Hand out pre-burned CDs of your wedding soundtrack. This is an easy and fun project to complete together before the wedding, since you can pick out tracks that you both love, select a photo for the cover, and if you have a printer that prints on CDs, like the Epson RX680, you can customize the look even further!

Be sure to check out more of our wedding coverage on I Do Sugar.
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