Need help finding the right PS effect

"We Can Do It" poster technique...

Here ya go, Justin. Let me know if it works for you...

This seems a lot more complicated than it really is. Starting with the original image:

IMAGE LINK: http://upload.pbase.co​m/image/104801877/orig​inal.jpg


Here's the layers palette setup so you can follow along:

IMAGE LINK: http://upload.pbase.co​m/image/104801878/orig​inal.jpg


1 - Dupe the background layer twice. You should now have 3 copies of your image. Name the middle layer "Dupe". Name the top layer "Blur".

2 - Activate the top layer ("Blur"), then turn it into a Smart Object by going to Filter>Convert for Smart Filters. This will allow you to fine tune filter settings. If you don't have PS CS3, ignore this conversion step. No problem, you'll just have to undo/redo the filter settings to taste. It's really just a convenience that saves a bit of time.

Now invert this top "Blur" layer (Ctrl+i) and set the blend mode to "Color Dodge". Desaturate by hitting Crtl+shift+U or Edit>Image>Adjustments>Desaturate.

4 - Now, go to Filter>Blur>Gaussian blur and play with the radius setting until you get something like this:

IMAGE LINK: http://upload.pbase.co​m/pam_r/image/10480187​9.jpg

5 - Merge this result to a new layer by opening a new layer on top, then hitting Ctrl+shift+alt+E. This is called "stamp visible". It merges a copy of all adjustments make up to this point on a new layer at the top of the stack. Another way to do this is to hold down the Alt key, then choose Layer>Merge visible. Name this layer "Merged":

6 - Dupe the "Merged" layer and name it "Lines". We're going to repeat the same invert/gblur move we did earlier but this time we're going for a different effect.

Invert the "Lines" layer (Ctrl+i), convert to a smart object if you want (Filter>Convert for Smart Filters). Set the blend mode to "Color Dodge". Choose Filter>Blur>Gaussian blur and adjust the radius to get outlines, something like this:

IMAGE LINK: http://upload.pbase.co​m/pam_r/image/10480188​0.jpg

7 - Repeat step 5 to Stamp visible (Ctrl+shift+alt+E). Desaturate this layer (Ctrl+shft+U, or Image>Adjustments>Desaturate):

IMAGE LINK: http://upload.pbase.co​m/pam_r/image/10480188​1.jpg

Run Filter>Stylize>Diffuse and choose "Anisotropic". Click OK. Depending on the resolution of your image, you'll have thick lines (low res) or thin lines (high res). This is where a bit of experience and experimentation comes into play.

If you have thin lines and want them thicker, dupe this layer and set the blend mode to "Mulitply". Repeat as necessary.

If you have thick lines and want them thinner, you can run levels and move the highlight slider to the left to thin them out. Play with the shadows slider to darken. Experiment until you like the result. Merge your result into one layer and name it "Lines-Anisotropic":

IMAGE LINK: http://upload.pbase.co​m/pam_r/image/10480188​2.jpg


8 - Now turn off the "Lines-stamp visible" and the "Lines-Anisotropic" layers. It should now look something like this:

IMAGE LINK: http://upload.pbase.co​m/pam_r/image/10480188​3.jpg

A little dirty around the edges, but your result may be a little cleaner if you used thinner lines.

9 - Open a new layer on top and name it "Clean up". Using the clone stamp tool, clean up the edges around the figure (make sure "Sample" is set to "Current and below"). You should now have a result close to this:

IMAGE LINK: http://upload.pbase.co​m/pam_r/image/10480188​4.jpg

It seems I have too many images, so I'll continue below...

------ continued from above ------

10 - Now place a copy of the original image on top of the stack. Here's one quick method:

Activate the background layer (the original image). Hit Crtl+J to add a duped version above the background layer. Now hold down Ctrl+shift and tap the right bracket key]. This will quickly add a copy of the background to the top of the stack. Name it "Shirt" and Set the blend mode to "Multiply".

Select All (or Ctrl+A), then Ctrl+T to bring up the free Transform tool and transform the poster shirt to cover up most of the new shirt. It doesn't need to be perfect.

11 - Add an inverted (hide all) mask to this layer. The shortcut is to hold down the Alt key while clicking on the "Add layer mask" icon at the bottom of the layers palette. Or, just add a layer mask, activate it by clicking on it, the hit Ctrl+i to invert it.

Now take a white brush and paint over the shirt area to expose the poster shirt and replace the new shirt. If needed, open a new layer and use the clone stamp/healing brush to blend in and fill.

IMAGE LINK: http://upload.pbase.co​m/pam_r/image/10480188​5.jpg

From this point, it just fine tuning. Adjusting the colors, darkening the top banner, coloring her skin, etc. To adjust colors, try Selective Color, Color Balance, curves...whatever you're most comfortable with. The same for her skin...you can also paint and experiment with blend modes.

Here's the final result:

IMAGE LINK: http://upload.pbase.co​m/pam_r/image/10480188​6.jpg