since this is my first time in the forum... HELLO EVERYBODY... (selfportrait)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

pretty wild ride filter-wise!!!

Thanks! Im trying to get wiser on the filter use... in order not to let the effects overcome the idea... I think!

in this image I only used the layers effects to combine 5 images, and only the orange background as filtering

There are alot of great effects you can achieve with the blend modes for the layers. One thing you might want to experment with is applying the blend mode of a specific area on the layer as opposed to the whole layer itself... REALLY cool trick, give it a try... s

I would need to create a mask on the layer right?

gui, the way i do it is utlizing the "color exclusion sliders".

you know when you have the "Layer Options" dialog box up? There's a number of options available (i think 7 in all but it may differ between versions...)

if you look at the "Blend If" option you'll see it set to "gray" (this is the default and means any change you make affects ALL color channels equally.

- on an ODD note this is one time GRAY means ALL COLOR CHANNELS!! all other times in the app GRAY means GRAY COMPOSITE...)

:)
anyway,
By selecting a color channel from the "Blend If" menu will apply the effect of the "slider bars" to the one channel.

EXAMPLE:
The first slider bar, "This Layer" hides pixels in the active layer according to the brightness value (you can lose the dark pixels by dragging the LEFT slider/triangle or toss the light pixels by dragging the RIGHT slider/triangle)
The second bar, "Underlying" will force the pixels in the underlying layers to show through according to the brightness value (to make the dark pixels show on the underlying image, drag the LEFT slider/triangle and for the light pixels, drag the RIGHT slider/triangle)

What i like about this is ALL the adjustments done in the "Layer Options" dialog box are NOT destructive (meaning the pixels are only hidden NOT deleted so you can restore pixels or hide new ones!!)

There is a DOWNSIDE to this...
Hiding and Forcing colors can make some harsh color transitions The trick is to soften the transitions leaving some pixels opaque and others transparent...

NOW FOR THE TRICK:
To do this you need to "OPTION/ALT +drag" on the sliders. This splits the triangle into two halves, the LEFT represents the beginning of the "fuzziness" (brightness value) and of course the RIGHT represents the end.

Play around with a couple of images on different layers and see what you can come up with, then post it and share the experience!

:)
s

here is my last ilustration! I've used the "blend if", its cool but I'll need more testing. anyway... I'll always try to say how I made the images, when somebody shows interest, the best I can (my english is not the best, and I don't have the english version of photoshop), but I'll try... thanks for the tutorial ("blend if"). seeu