Layers TV: Episode 58

Corey shares a text effect that he created using Adobe Illustrator.

• Create some type in Illustrator and use create outlines to turn it into paths
• Use free transform to distort the type and overlap the letters
• Create a duplicate of the type and use the pathfinder palette to unite the letter paths
• Expand the size of the first set of text by adding a stroke and then fill the block with a solid color
• Drop the other set of text on top of the solid color
• Add strokes to make the text pop, and drop shadows to add depth
• Add gradients to create lighting effects and experiment with blend modes to produce new effects

RC has special guest Matt Kloskowski on the show to talk about HDR photography.

• You can capture more detail with HDR than you can in a single exposure
• Set your camera on a tripod and take several exposures. At least one overexposed, one underexposed, and one in the middle
• You can use Photoshop’s merge to HDR option to combine the exposures
• Use the Local Adaptation settings to fine tune the HDR conversion
• There are plenty of alternatives. Matt likes a plugin called Photomatix, available at hdrsoft.com
• Look for Matt’s new course on HDR coming soon to KelbyTraining.com

Contest Winner
RC and Corey have decided that the weekly contest winner from Layers TV will be announced in RC’s blog post. Remember when you submit your answer in the contact form to choose Layers Blog from the drop-down menu. Be sure to check the front page post for the name of this week’s winner and tune in to this week’s episode to find out what the contest question and prizes are.