If you're ever in need of a good texture, you need go no further than the dumpster behind your favorite store. Today, Draw and I went on a dumpster hunt looking for rust textures and, lo and behold... all of 15 minutes later, pay dirt.
A peek at the fun I have in photoshop using dumpster rust. This photo is of a charming window at the charming Clergy House in Alfriston.
I shoot in RAW so every photo I take requires some processing in Photoshop - this is the original shot (above), after converting from RAW to psd and processing (exposure, sharpen, crop).
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This is the same photo using an overlay of dumpster. The actual shot of the dumpster rust looks like this...
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After a bit of processing in Photoshop because this was shot in RAW mode, as well. Hard to believe that, by using this overlay of rust on the original photo it can achieve that kind of soft vintage look. Depends on your layer setting - I used soft light.
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Now. Same original photo but as I was jumping in the car after taking some photos of the dumpster behind Pier One - I happened to look down and saw this...
...which, in and of itself, is rather homely. But that cracking at the top has some potential. After a bit of color and exposure tweaks and some cropping, I got this...
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...which has major potential. I think it looks pretty cool just like that, but I really wanted it for this...
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Voila! Changing the layer setting on that interesting grunge layer, let's the even more interesting window peek through.
And this is why I have this intense love affair, bordering on an obsession, with Photoshop.
By the way, if you're a mixed media artist, these window will be available in a digital collage sheet at my shoppe, PaperWhimsy. And these texture overlays will be available shortly for purchase for digital artists. Same place.
Ok this is positively my last comment before I go to work here - but I love these and you've gotten me thinking. . .beautiful work as usual Gale , that journal is going to be stunningly beautiful!
Posted by: Kim V | November 24, 2008 at 12:21 PM
How gorgeous! I am just getting to know Photoshop. I have PS Elements 4. Can I do what you did here with that program?
Posted by: Mary Franzenburg | October 18, 2008 at 05:37 PM
oh, good grief.
is there anything you don't do well??? LOL
so, you may want to mention to draw that i'll either be stopping by for a couple of days in january on my way to michigan for some intense photoshop lessons OR he can send you to the ranch.
i wouldn't say i'm jealous but it's close.
really close.
you are amazing:)
pinkie
Posted by: Jan Thomason | October 07, 2008 at 07:17 PM
Gale this awesome!!! I am so impressed with your alterations-I have photoshop but haven't a clue, nor do I take the time to check into all those options. Having gorgeous art like this available from you is perfect for me!!
Posted by: Linda K | August 17, 2008 at 07:44 PM
Ok, can I live in your brain for a day????? Who'd a thunk of taking a photo of asphalt cracks? Terrific idea...wish I had Photoshop. Keep it up girl!
Jan in Colorado
Posted by: Jan | August 17, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Did I say dumpster 'diving' slight slip of the tongue teehee!
Posted by: ~*~ Patty | August 04, 2008 at 04:11 PM
Whoaaaa! the transformations are truly awesome, dumpster diving with a VERY good eye, not to mention looking down at just the right moment! I am clueless about Photoshop, you make it sound easy.....I know it's not! Fabulous and wonderful stuff you've created. I do LOVE rust!
Posted by: ~*~ Patty | August 04, 2008 at 04:09 PM
Wow! Thank you for your great comments. I went dumpster hunting this weekend so I'm working on a few more textures and I'll post them shortly.
In answer to Mendy's question - I use Photoshop CS3.
Cheers!~
Posted by: Gale | August 04, 2008 at 03:44 PM
I love the "dumpster rust!" May I ask which photoshop you usually use? I love playing with mine. I am off to look at your shop, PaperWhimsy! :)mendy
Posted by: Mendy | August 04, 2008 at 03:38 PM
WOW!!! You are amazing with Photoshop!!! INCREDIBLY COOL!!! :)
Posted by: Beth Moran | August 03, 2008 at 02:21 PM
This is fascinating--you are so creative, and your finished photos are stunning . . .
Posted by: Jann | August 01, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Wow Gale these are amazing...im off to wait outside the whimsy place. Thanks for sharing this with us.....cany wait to get my hands on these.
Hugs Sarah xx
Posted by: SarahD | August 01, 2008 at 02:57 AM
WOW WOW Gale amazing...thanks for sharing.....i am off to sit outside the whimsy place for these to arrive...he he!!
Hugs Sarah xxxx
Posted by: SarahD | July 31, 2008 at 01:37 PM
Its amazing Gale how something so simple can turn out so beautiful with your help of course just wonderful
Jen
Posted by: Jen Crossley | July 30, 2008 at 08:01 PM
Drop dead gorgeous!!! I have Elements, but have been doing a bit of experimenting with different features and love the cool things I am able to do. Thanks so much for the inspiration. Not sure if I can to these types of things, but I am certainly going to do a bit more experimenting.
Posted by: Barbara | July 28, 2008 at 03:30 PM
Who would have thought one could get something so beautiful from a dumpster and parking lot! :-)These are wonderful! I was thinking they would be great collage backgrounds, and then I read your last sentence. And overlays too? I can hardly wait.
Posted by: r2artstudio | July 28, 2008 at 07:03 AM