diff --git a/Tamara b/Tamara new file mode 100644 index 000000000..cdfc92829 --- /dev/null +++ b/Tamara @@ -0,0 +1,94 @@ +Photoshop Action: "Place_Michael_CartoonInvite_v1" (manual recording / step list) +Purpose: Place Michael (head+torso) into invitation artwork (image 2 style). Canvas: 7x5 in @300dpi (2100x1500 px). + +PREP +1. Open the invitation background file. Create new document: + - File > New: Width 7 in, Height 5 in, Resolution 300 dpi, RGB/8-bit. Name: Invitation_Work. + - Paste or place invitation art as layer "BG_Invitation" (locked). + +2. Open Michael photo. Duplicate the Background layer (Ctrl/Cmd+J). Hide original; work on duplicate. + +CUTOUT / MASK +3. With duplicated layer selected: + - Select > Subject. + - Select and Mask: View On Layers; Radius 12 px; Smooth 5; Feather 0.3 px; Contrast 10%; Shift Edge -2%; Decontaminate Colors ON 30%; Output To: New Layer with Layer Mask. + - Rename output layer "Michael_cutout". + +PLACE & TRANSFORM +4. Drag or copy "Michael_cutout" into Invitation_Work above BG_Invitation. Rename "Michael_main". +5. Convert "Michael_main" to Smart Object: Right-click > Convert to Smart Object. +6. Free Transform (Ctrl/Cmd+T): + - Scale so subject height ≈ 40% of canvas height → target ≈ 600 px high (canvas height 1500 px). + - Position so feet/hem contact the foreground grass plane. Use arrow keys for 1–3 px nudges. + +CARTOON STYLIZE (non-destructive via Smart Filters) +7. Apply Surface Blur (Smart Filter): + - Filter > Blur > Surface Blur: Radius 8 px; Threshold 15 → OK. +8. Apply Poster Edges (Smart Filter): + - Filter > Filter Gallery > Poster Edges: Edge Thickness 2; Edge Intensity 1; Posterization 2. + - Reduce Poster Edges filter layer opacity to 75% if effect is strong. + +COLOR MATCH (clipped to subject) +9. Add Curves adjustment layer, clip to Michael_main (Alt-click between layers); name "Curves_Match". + - Subtly lower midtones: pull midpoint down by ~0.05 (visual). + - Slightly lift highlights by ~+0.04. +10. Add Color Balance (clipped): + - Midtones: +6 Red, -3 Blue. + - Highlights: +3 Red, +1 Yellow. + - Shadows: +2 Red, +1 Yellow. +11. Add Hue/Saturation (clipped): Master Saturation +8. + +LIGHT WRAP (ambient color) +12. Duplicate BG_Invitation → "BG_blur_for_wrap". Place under Michael_main. +13. Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur: 30 px. +14. Set "BG_blur_for_wrap" opacity to 10–12%. Add Layer Mask filled black. +15. On mask, paint a soft white halo (low flow, soft brush) to reveal faint color overlap around Michael edges where ambient light hits (top/side). + +EDGE CLEANUP (hair) +16. If fringes exist: + - Add layer above Michael_main named "Edge_Fix". Sample nearby background color, very low-opacity brush (10–25%), paint along edges to neutralize color fringe. Set layer opacity to 40% and clip to Michael_main. + +GROUND SHADOW (contact) +17. Create new layer below Michael_main: "Shadow_cast". +18. Soft round brush, black, Opacity 40%, Flow 50%, size ~350–600 px (adjust). +19. Paint elliptical shadow under feet; Transform > Distort/Perspective to match ground plane. +20. Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur: 18–24 px. +21. Layer Blend Mode: Multiply; Layer Opacity 40–55%. Mask & soften inner edge near feet. + +AMBIENT OCCLUSION / LOCAL SHADING +22. New layer "AO_local" above Shadow_cast, set Multiply 12–18% opacity. +23. Soft black brush, opacity 8–12%: paint subtle shading under chin, under arms, inner folds. Blur if necessary (Gaussian 6 px). + +FINAL UNIFY (stamp & global subtle grade) +24. Stamp visible: Ctrl/Cmd+Alt+Shift+E → layer "Flatten_Unify". +25. Filter > Camera Raw Filter (on "Flatten_Unify"): + - Exposure +0.04; Contrast +6; Highlights -8; Shadows +6; Texture +4; Clarity +6; Vibrance +10. +26. Add Color Lookup (not clipped): 3DLUT "Crisp_Warm" or "LateSunrise" at 25–30% opacity. + +OPTIONAL GRAIN +27. Filter > Noise > Add Noise: Amount 1–1.5%, Gaussian, Monochromatic. Reduce layer opacity if too strong. + +EXPORTS & NAMING +28. Save PSD: File > Save As → Michael_in_Invitation.psd. +29. Save TIFF for print: File > Save As → Michael_in_Invitation.tif, LZW, 300 dpi. +30. Export PNG (web): File > Export > Export As → PNG 2100x1500 px. +31. Export preview JPEG 1200x800 px, quality 80% for sharing. + +Layer naming checklist (final PSD): +- BG_Invitation (locked) +- BG_blur_for_wrap (masked) +- Michael_main (Smart Object) [with Smart Filters Surface Blur + Poster Edges] +- Curves_Match (clipped) +- ColorBalance_Match (clipped) +- HueSat_Match (clipped) +- Edge_Fix (clipped, optional) +- Shadow_cast (below Michael) +- AO_local +- Flatten_Unify + +Notes (use while running): +- Tweak Surface Blur and Poster Edges strength for different source resolutions. +- If using Neural Filters (Style Transfer) instead of Poster Edges, use low strength (20–30%) to preserve likeness. +- Keep PSD master with all layers for re-editing. + +End of Photoshop action instructions.