If anyone's on dreamwidth, I'm over there @ brando. This is probably the third time in my journal life that I've gotten somewhere early enough for the exact name I wanted.
(This is the first tutorial I've ever written so I hope this is clear enough, let me know if it's not! I don't know your skill level in PSP, so I just wrote this like it was for a beginner.)
Step One
Prepare your base. I'm using this bigger picture so the steps are clear for you. Resize to the size you want.

Step Two
After the image is the size you like, copy the base layer and set it to screen. Set the opacity depending on the darkness and the lightness of your picture; I've set this one to 90 because I like bright pictures. Regarding sharpness - the screen layer is where I normally sharpen an image, because it's not too sharp and very subtle. Obviously if you need to screen a very blurry image, the base layer is where to do it.

Step Three
On most images, I copy the base layer one more time, move that layer to the top, and set it to soft light. This is optional, of course, but I like the way it gives the image a bit more depth. Like the screen layer, set this opacity according to the image. A high opacity will create a darker image on some pictures. For this image I set it to 100.
*Note* - Sometimes when I use a soft light layer, the image becomes too yellow or too red. For this, I lower the saturation [here] to -100 (full black and white) so the colour will be balanced (Lower the saturation according to your image - if a -15 looks okay, leave it).

Step Four
Once again, this step depends on the image, but normally it works out very well. Go to Layers, New Adjustment Layer, Hue/Saturation/Lightness. Under Master colour saturation, set the opacity to 20 or 30, depending on the image. I set mine to 30. I know it seems pointless to lower the saturation in step three, but it does make a difference in making your image less yellow/red. Of course, this step is optional, and if you like the way your image looks with just the first three steps, feel free to leave this one out.

Add brushes or borders or text as you see fit. If you want a little more kick, play with the Master drop down list in the Hue/Saturation/Lightness layer box [here].
I really really really hope this helped. I hope it wasn't too convoluted and that everything was understandable. I have a tendency to ramble on, so I hope I kept it short and sweet for you. Let me know if it works out!
Step One
Prepare your base. I'm using this bigger picture so the steps are clear for you. Resize to the size you want.

Step Two
After the image is the size you like, copy the base layer and set it to screen. Set the opacity depending on the darkness and the lightness of your picture; I've set this one to 90 because I like bright pictures. Regarding sharpness - the screen layer is where I normally sharpen an image, because it's not too sharp and very subtle. Obviously if you need to screen a very blurry image, the base layer is where to do it.

Step Three
On most images, I copy the base layer one more time, move that layer to the top, and set it to soft light. This is optional, of course, but I like the way it gives the image a bit more depth. Like the screen layer, set this opacity according to the image. A high opacity will create a darker image on some pictures. For this image I set it to 100.
*Note* - Sometimes when I use a soft light layer, the image becomes too yellow or too red. For this, I lower the saturation [here] to -100 (full black and white) so the colour will be balanced (Lower the saturation according to your image - if a -15 looks okay, leave it).

Step Four
Once again, this step depends on the image, but normally it works out very well. Go to Layers, New Adjustment Layer, Hue/Saturation/Lightness. Under Master colour saturation, set the opacity to 20 or 30, depending on the image. I set mine to 30. I know it seems pointless to lower the saturation in step three, but it does make a difference in making your image less yellow/red. Of course, this step is optional, and if you like the way your image looks with just the first three steps, feel free to leave this one out.

Add brushes or borders or text as you see fit. If you want a little more kick, play with the Master drop down list in the Hue/Saturation/Lightness layer box [here].
I really really really hope this helped. I hope it wasn't too convoluted and that everything was understandable. I have a tendency to ramble on, so I hope I kept it short and sweet for you. Let me know if it works out!
Adorable animals from the cute overload website and more.

( 'Alright, look if you absolutely have to tell her the truth, at least wait until the timing's right. And that's what deathbeds are for.' )
19 Dr Who and Torchwood icons. Because there aren't enough of them out there.

( 'I think it's nice to look nice for your gay husband.' )
Don't call it a comeback...
55 Ryan Gosling icons. Woo.

( 'Damnit, I'm a doctor, I'm not God.' 'Well, there goes my whole belief system.' )
59 icons from the original NOTLD from master George Romero. Ooooh spooky.

( 'They're coming for you, Barbra.' )
6 banners from "House MD", all but one House/Cameron.

( 'Oh this, well I'm glad you asked. Now, don't you hate it when you have to cut a tin can with an ordinary steak knife? Ahh! Now, I know what you're thinking...' 'Pregnant Woman Slays Four?' )
38 fashion icons of various shoots I'm too lazy to look up.

( 'Ah, I was just in the bathroom, and there's mirrors on both sides of you. So when you're in there it's like you're peeing with the Rockettes.' 'Wow, there's my fantasy come true. No, seriously.' )
25 stock icons of drinks, sushi, and sweets.

( 'Oh, well, then you'll have extra seats, you know, for all your tiaras and stuff!' 'Why did you look at me when you said that?' )
37 Nicole icons from the long dead Nic challenge community.

( 'He called the Long Island Expressway a concrete miracle.' )
25 black & white Marilyn Monroe icons.

( 'Remember when you where a kid and your Mom would drop you off at the movies with a jar of jam and a little spoon?' 'You're so pretty.' )




