September Graphically Challenged!

[Robyn Gough]

Are you ready for the next Graphically Challenged? :yahoo: :yippee:

For the September Graphically Challenged I thought we might make the challenge ....

'HIGH CONTRAST MONOCHROME'

The challenge is to practise your photo editing skills to make your photos high contrast and monochrome (black and white). You may choose to make your layout black and white as well, but the main emphasis is on the photo. High contrast photos can really pop!

In photoshop you can use the brightness and contrast filter to adjust your contrast, or you can play with levels and curves as well. There are many ways to bump up the contrast.

Not sure what contrast is? High contrast photos in black and white have more blacks and whites and less shades of grey. The result can be very dramatic and with the expense of the loss of some detail due to less shades of grey your photo will really pop.

The best way to see what a difference contrast can make is to experiment with the contrast settings in your photo editing program.

Good luck with the challenge, I can't wait to see what you all come up with!!


The Rules

You must use a DSP product (or lots and lots of products :D) in your layout. This can be store purchased, freebies, etc.
You must have your layout in the Graphically Challenged with Robyn (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=6698) gallery by midnight on the 30th of September in order to be eligible for the drawing.
You must link back in this thread, so that I can grab a random winner from this thread.

What can you win?
One person will be randomly chosen at the end of the month and will receive a $3.99 store coupon! :drumroll:

Looking forward to seeing what you all come up with! Lets get blending!! You can get your Graphically Challenged Flair Here (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36564)!

[idtwinmom]

Hmmmm.. did I miss your chat this month? How did I do that!

[ReneT]

Hmmmm.. did I miss your chat this month? How did I do that!

No the chat was cancelled because the chat room was broken.

[ReneT]

Robyn do you have an example of this so that we know what we're trying to achieve?

[Miss Shannon]

Sounds cool. Can photos be tinted, sepia, etc?

[Muma]

I am going to play with this and create a new LO but as an example I did this for a LO a few months back

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/7178/thumbs/AwA-600.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=318494&ppuser=87478)
Angel with Attitude - ... (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=318494&cat=500&ppuser=87478)

I started out by using a VP filter [Dramatic] which I believe uses a high contrast then I set PSPs own brightness and contrast to 50% contrast and 10% brightness.

[windstorm]

Ooh great one Robyn. Never really thought to do this. Off to ponder.

[Muma]

One other thing I thought I would mention because of the high contrast making the outline of Amy very strong it was a piece of cake to do the OOB.

[smatt644]

Here is mine, it is doing double duty with Erica's Lucky Dips:

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/6498/thumbs/gemini_web.JPG (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=333557)

Gemini

[Muma]

This is another example that I done for a speedscrap back in June.

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/7192/thumbs/Ame.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=320734)
Ame (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=320734)

I can not remember what I did with the photo though .... just tried to recreate it and got something similar using a 50% contrast and -10% brightness several times and then lowering the saturation. There is still a hint of red in her lips so I know I didn't turn it black and white.

[Shana34]

Here's mine, it's doing double duty with Gimme More. I really played with the brightness/contrast of the three photobooth type photos. They were almost all black and white, but I used a distressed overlay on them so they appear gray and white now! LOL
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/2610/thumbs/FunAtBF.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=333576)
Family Fun at Buttermi... (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=333576)

[ReneT]

Thanks for the examples Muma!

[Robyn Gough]

I am going to play with this and create a new LO but as an example I did this for a LO a few months back

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/7178/thumbs/AwA-600.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=318494&ppuser=87478)
Angel with Attitude - ... (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=318494&cat=500&ppuser=87478)

I started out by using a VP filter [Dramatic] which I believe uses a high contrast then I set PSPs own brightness and contrast to 50% contrast and 10% brightness.

Yup, this is a perfect example! This one is super high contrast, almost only black and white and barely any grey.

[TalyQ]

Well, I tried it - dont' know if I suceeded. I tinted it brown, because black and white didn't quite go with the layout. CC appreciated and desired. This is first time I did something like this, so want to learn more.

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/6698/thumbs/2009-mom-beauty-dsp.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=333729)
The beauty of a woman (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=333729)

[Scrapping4Him]

Here is one I did earlier this month but I want to play around with doing another LO where I play around even more with the contrast on the photo.

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/7380/thumbs/Sep08_Kauai_Waimea_WaipooFalls.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=332999&ppuser=5602)
Waipoo Falls (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=332999&cat=500&ppuser=5602)

[dagwood]

heres mine...I had a lot of fun with this one, so I will probably be back with more
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/5293/thumbs/B-and-W-beginning.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=333809&ppuser=27233)

[Robyn Gough]

Well, I tried it - dont' know if I suceeded. I tinted it brown, because black and white didn't quite go with the layout. CC appreciated and desired. This is first time I did something like this, so want to learn more.

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/6698/thumbs/2009-mom-beauty-dsp.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=333729)
The beauty of a woman (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=333729)

This is spot on! Fabulous photo!

These are looking fabulous ladies!!!! Love it!

[luv2stamp82]

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/6698/thumbs/Dreamer20.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=333910)
Dreamer (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=333910)

Here's mine for the challenge!

[nafeesa]

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334001

I did one!!!

[terryl]

This looked like a wonderful technique to try, so I gave it a shot! Here's my layout: http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/6698/thumbs/20090500_Self_Portrait_of_Nikki_650x650.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334038)

[Leea]

I'm not sure if the layout fully fits the challenge, the background might be too bright? ...but I like how my granddaughter's hair shines with the changes I made to the photo, I like how it turned out, and I had FUN! :)
Thanks for the challenge :)
Here's my layout, Let The Music Move You! :
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/6698/thumbs/Sept_Music_lah.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334053)
Let The Music Move You.. (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334053)

[wndyeliza]

This is another example that I done for a speedscrap back in June.

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/7192/thumbs/Ame.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=320734)
Ame (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=320734)

I can not remember what I did with the photo though .... just tried to recreate it and got something similar using a 50% contrast and -10% brightness several times and then lowering the saturation. There is still a hint of red in her lips so I know I didn't turn it black and white.
Desaturate? (crosses fingers at the silly guess)

[ebears]

here is my lo for this challenge. I use a Virtual Photographer filter called DRAMATIC. I have used this particular filter a number of times as I love the effect.
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/6698/thumbs/lachlan-june05.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334102)
Lachlan (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334102)

[kaybutler@mweb.]

I am going to play with this and create a new LO but as an example I did this for a LO a few months back

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/7178/thumbs/AwA-600.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=318494&ppuser=87478)
Angel with Attitude - ... (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=318494&cat=500&ppuser=87478)

I started out by using a VP filter [Dramatic] which I believe uses a high contrast then I set PSPs own brightness and contrast to 50% contrast and 10% brightness.

Thank-you sooo much for posting this Muma !! I was really battling to get a nice High Contrast and then I found your little tut :tup::tup::hug: ..while I was at it I also lifted your LO !! Thank-you for inspiring me !! Here is mine :

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/6698/thumbs/Angel_with_Attitude.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334246)
Angel with attitude ! (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334246)

[dagwood]

I did another one
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/518/thumbs/worlds-greatest-swimmer.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334323&ppuser=27233)

[Donut]

These are all so fantastic! I'm going to have to try and get one done!

[DixieMama]

Doing double duty with our Fearless Leaders' Be-Muse Me challenge :D

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/6745/thumbs/beauty43.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334348)

[stitchmich]

This was so fun and easy, I think I'll be using it again :D
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/6698/thumbs/younique2.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334375)

[evergreen100]

One from me
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/6698/thumbs/Beauty_webjmb1.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334389)
Beauty (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334389)

[lindyroz]

Gosh, haven't done a challenge in ages, DGS provided inspiration for this month:

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/6698/thumbs/Incorrigible_Richard_9-12-09.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334392)
Incorrigible Richard (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334392)

[evergreen100]

And here is one I did at the end of last month. It is now in the H of F:yippee:
I've tried to replicate what I did with this one to achieve such stark contrast but the method is lost in my memory somewhere:rolleyes::annoyed:
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/3466/thumbs/These_Eyes_are_webjmb.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=331320)
These Eyes Are... (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=331320)

[GabbyGee1976]

Here's mine - hope I understood this and did it correctly :)

Into The Woods (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334400)

[rosiego]

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/6698/thumbs/Avery-Monochromatic.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334452)
Monochromatic Eyes (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334452)

[LovedinQuebec]

This is the first time I had seen this challenge, and I need it! LOL! I want to expand my newbie-level comprehension of PS as much as possible:)

Here is mine: http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/6698/thumbs/Beauty-Suzy-in-Monochrome.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334466)

[vickyZ2]

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/7334/thumbs/RockOn.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334567)
Rock On (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334567)
Here's mine
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334567

[idtwinmom]

Well, it took 3 tries, but I finally got one that I think works!

Always With Attitude
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/5293/thumbs/With-Attitude.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334709&ppuser=90601)

[ReneT]

Well, I thought I posted this over here, but I guess I'm just delusional. :rofl: Maybe I posted it in the wrong thread. :eek:

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/6698/thumbs/THE-BEAUTY-OF-NATURE.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334577&ppuser=127754)
The Beauty Of Nature

[Scrapping4Him]

Here is one where I used the high contrast monochrome on the blended photo but did not use monochrome on the rest of the page:

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/6698/thumbs/Feb09_SW_Egret.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334848)
Little Egret - Egretta (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334848)Garzetta (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334848)

[SilverHealer]

Here's mine! I hope I did okay :) I can't get the hang of this thumbnail business, though...LOL

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/6698/thumbs/Monochrome_web.jpg
Dust in the Wind (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=334937)

[sanra]

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/1348/thumbs/Attitude-Angel.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=335096&cat=all&limit=last7)
Attitude Angel (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=335096&cat=all&limit=last7)

[swatkins56]

This was fun:
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/6698/thumbs/2009-01-03-birds.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=335136&ppuser=73576)
Seabirds in winter (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=335136&cat=500&ppuser=73576)

[PQ FRAN]

Senior moment - I did the high contrast, but not the monochrome. Oh well ----

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/1348/thumbs/Bia-joyeux.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=335140)
BIA JOYEUX (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=335140) User: PQ FRAN (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/member.php?uid=51256)

[happybeingamom]

As usual I am getting my LO in late but here it is


http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/6698/thumbs/graphaclychallengedsept09.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=335418)
Everlasting (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=335418)

[bebimora]

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/6698/Gallery-Bebimora-Rocks.jpg?991
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=335138&nocache=1

[MaryElizabeth]

Here is one I did....

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/6698/thumbs/LauraGrphChllngWeb.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=335503&ppuser=54467)

[Roberta T]

I know I'm late but I just had to try this. Awesome tips from Muma! Thanks Muma.

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/6698/thumbs/GC-sept.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=335582)
I'm late...I'm late.. (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=335582)

[Robyn Gough]

Wow wow wow! I am totally blown away with how awesome these layouts look!

I am stuck for a topic for the next challenge any suggestions?

Will come back with the random winner shortly...

[idtwinmom]

How about an altered photo, using filters or something! (like making it a pencil drawing or something!)

[Robyn Gough]

One other thing I thought I would mention because of the high contrast making the outline of Amy very strong it was a piece of cake to do the OOB.

You can also do this on a duplicate layer to get the outline and then use the outline on the high contrast to remove what you need to remove on the lower contrast picture. Then once you are done you can make the high contrast one invisible or delete the layer. Hope that makes sense!??

[idtwinmom]

You can also do this on a duplicate layer to get the outline and then use the outline on the high contrast to remove what you need to remove on the lower contrast picture. Then once you are done you can make the high contrast one invisible or delete the layer. Hope that makes sense!??

Yes, it does make sense and is a technique I find very helpful when dealing with my DDs wonderfully curly, but very hard to extract hair!

[Robyn Gough]

Septembers random winner is....

:drumroll: :drumroll: :drumroll:

:drumroll: :drumroll:


:yahoo: evergreen100 :yahoo:

Congrats!!! Send me a pm with your name and email address and I will organise for a store voucher to be sent to you.

[Leea]

I like Lisa's idea of the pencil drawing effect :) I'd also like to learn how to get a cartoon look, like the ads where you see a photo of someone and it looks like those in cartoon strips or comics.

[idtwinmom]

I like Lisa's idea of the pencil drawing effect :) I'd also like to learn how to get a cartoon look, like the ads where you see a photo of someone and it looks like those in cartoon strips or comics.

That would be cool! I've never done a cartoon and would love to learn how!

Congrats EG!!!

[evergreen100]

Woohoo!!! Thanks so much Robyn:hug:

[jennilynn10]

Congrats EG!

The pencil drawing or cartoon effect sounds cool!

[windstorm]

Congrats evergreen!

Pencil drawing idea sounds good.
Other ideas (don't promise any of them are good LOL): creating a graphic block style layout, blending photos together, blurring a photo background, selective coloring on photos, cut photos into shapes other than squares/circles

[Roberta T]

Robin, GC is my favorite challenge, and you have rocked them girl! I just want a new one, and I hope I don't forget til the last minute this time. Thanks for doing this. BTW I love the kits you're designing!

[Robyn Gough]

He he, ok, I am no good at the pencil sketch filter type stuff. I can never get them to look real... or maybe I am just being overly fussy?? I don't know!

As for cartoons... not sure what you are meaning? Cartoon people? Or a cartoon style or look to the layout? I will wait for more feedback on that one. I dont' think I can do cartoon people because unless you are doodling it would be too complicated, but would need to research a bit for a cartoon style so I can do a tutorial for it. I would be learning right there along with you on that one! LOL

But.... your suggestions have given me an idea...so bear with me, I will have to write up a quick tutorial first and I have a super full plate at the moment, but I will try and get it done ASAP so we can start the October Challenge.

[Leea]

Congratulations evergreen :)
I like windstorms idea of selective coloring...I've done that a few times, but keep planning to try more layouts with that technique.
The cartoon thing...for example, a photo of a person, with an effect that makes the photo look like not real, but like it's been drawn or painted in color...not sure how to describe it...I've seen the technique advertised online and there's a few tv commercials where it looks like actual people made with...digital art/animiated...not sure the correct way to describe it, but I know it when I see it lol.
Looking forward to seeing what the Graphically Challenged challenge is for October :) I like how this challenge makes me think about how to do new things and also see other layouts created with the techniques. Thanks for running the challenge Robyn :)