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Ok Hi all, well me being a big dummy and not knowing photoshop that well sat down here for awhile and came up with this pic, ok it's my first time doing this so am i doing it wrong, does it look ok? I have left a bit of space incase i add the sponsors, well first time for everything. I am think this would make a good 20x30 maybe.

Thanks in advance.

Mate it's great and as good as many professional posters as well.

I agree with Steve, John; it's a winner. Though I'd make sure Jock's cheque clears before you hand over the poster...

Kids on motor bikes scare the bejesus out of me but I think you did a great job here.

Hi John,

My only feeling is that the two left images are just too dark. The simplest way to fix this is to select the Lasso tool ... make sure that it is feathered to about 50 - 100 pixel range and then draw it about the two left images.

Now with the selection in play, go to the Adjustment Layers and select Levels. Pull the right hand side slider across to lighten the face a little ... as you do this you will notice that it is only the selection and not the rest of the pic that is getting lighter.

Now, there is a chance that if you have flattened the image already that the text across the top may be getting lighter. Here is where is gets clever ... select the adjustment layer's mask (in the layers panel it is the small square to the right of the Levels icon you have just created and you can now use the paintbrush tool using either white or black to reveal or hide the parts of the image that you want or dont want to lighten. You can also select any shade of grey in between on the colour swatches to get a partial effect.

If you still have the image as a PSD the other thing that you can do is simply position the text layer above the adjustment layer so that it is not affected.

Hope this is a help!

Thanks all , as i am a bit behind the times at these things, but seems to be the in thing. Hell took me long enough as well but i had never done this before and yeh something different. Oh well i will try a few more and see what i can come up with, as it all a new learning curve for me.

I like it, but I think the posed photo of him (front on), needs to stand out a bit more.

Thanks Ants, yes i still have the psd, as i did a few different things at stages and saved in case i stuffed it or wish to add something. I will have a look at that after and see if i can do step by step what you have sugested. I made it darker at the time as i was going to put pictures over it, but changed my mind thought i might clutter it too much pluss i was thinking of putting his sponsor's in that part somewhere.
Thanks

BBJ, while I think the concept is good I think you really need to work on your extracting of images from the original source. Many of the images you've used look like they've been roughly selected and feathered and cut from the original source. Now if you're going for money for this project I'd show the client it in it's current state first and find out if they're happy with the concept and say it's not the final, negotiate a price and then perhaps spend a night with a glass of wine (or beer, whiskey or whatever tickles your fancy) and cut them out right. If you don't know how send me a private message.
While their are some automated tools to do it, such as the extract filter. I think the best tool is your eye and the magnify glass and using the eraser tool set to about 3-5px with anti aliased edge on the eraser. But that's just me.

Thanks Darryl, this not a money picture as i am only trying to learn how to do this and as i have no idea how, i was just playing to see what it came up like as my photoshops skills suck other than the basics so this is a first time, i see a lot of this type of pics around i am just trying to learn how they do it.

Mate I think its a great first try! I have a few late nights ahead of me, with a couple of Karting ones, but you're on the right track!
Cheers

Mate u better come around and show me how to do it, LOL i was up till 1.30am playing with it.
see what happens when u get bored. you start doing this s**t you no nothing about.LOL

Hi John,

I can see what you were thinking by keeping it dark (in that you were going to put images over the top of it) however I think that you have a great design as it is. Just lighten those images a little bit and it will look great. Good work!

Antsl

For the 1st time I think it is great. You seem to have those Layers down pat. As others have said , the left images are a bit dark but overall effective.
Steve

I am impressed I am also concerned If you are a dummy, what does that make me?

Ok well did almost what you told me to do Antsl, but here it is i think a lil bit lighter.

john... you just get better and better

i think i might steal that idea !

cheers rob

Mate, personaly I think you were going the right way the first time but it was a layout problem... thats my thoughts anyway.

I will try and come round one day and see what we can work out

Looks good for a first go at photoshop. My nitpick would be the text used. It's a bit cheesy with the metallic chrome. Maybe try it with flat white text which is simple. The title shouldn't detract from the pics imho.

Ok Thanks, i can change that as i have some saved without txt etc... so i can add what i like, will try it again later better go mow the lawns while its not raining and if i can get the b*tch of a thing gowing.

Gee John if this is your first go imagine what you'll do after about 20 or so!
It'll make a terrific poster.
cheers
marco

Thanks Rob and Marco, i think i will go with the original 1, i might change the txt and see what it does. First time for everything hey!!!

Another version, dif txt effects. But still leaving space for anything else i want to put in on the left side as in sponsor's and stuff.

John I actually prefer your original font, perhaps with a duller chrome look. IMO I think the finish seems more professional and in keeping with the metalic theme of handlebars etc of motocross. Mind you the combinations are endless.
cheers
marco

Thanks marco, i still have the original so thats ok, might have a play with another 1 and see if i can ferine it a bit more. Thanks