The Professional Photoshop Book - Volume 7 2015

12

GROUP, DUPLICATE AND MERGE

Combine all the layers together in a single

folder and then duplicate it. Then select this folder

and merge the layers using the command in the

Layers palette. Next move this down the layer stack

to above the background and, using the Edit>

Transform>Perspective or Distort commands, make

the reflection look either forward or backwards

dependant on the look you require. Once you are

happy with the look, reduce the opacity of the layer to

a look that you think is best. You can also add a layer

mask and fade it off if you require.

13

ADD MORE DETAIL

Source some photography or take your own shots of some food-related items that add interest to

the piece, for instance strawberries, and draw a Clipping Path using the Pen tool in the Tools menu. Then copy

and paste these items either in front or behind the typography section. Add shadows either by hand on a

separate layer below the item, turning the layer mode to Multiply and changing the opacity, or by using the

automatic Drop Shadow facility in the Layer Styles palette.

FINAL TOUCHES

NOW ADD HIGHLIGHTS, MAKE THE COLOURS POP AND SHARPEN

QUICK TIP: EXPERIMENT WITH ADJUSTMENT LAYERS

Adjustment layers can make parts of your image pop, but sometimes the overall effect isn’t what’s required.

Adjustment layers come with a layer mask already built, so simply mask out the bits you don’t want.

TASTY INSPIRATION

Food-based typography is a big trend at the moment and it offers almost limitless possibilities depending

on the message you want to convey and the foodstuff you use. Consider your choice of typeface wisely – for

example, a font with long descenders will be good for an illustration based on the melting cheese and

dripping sauces of a burger, while an illustration of fairycakes will suit a whimsical serif or cursive style.

Consider font combinations and how they’ll express your message, and the colour combinations that your

chosen foodstuffs will provide – follow the same rules of good illustration you’d use in any other piece!

14

STop and re-evaluate

Have a brew, walk away from the design and take a break, you will have been staring at the screen for

a while now and may have gotten too familiar with your artwork. Come back and take a new look at it. With

fresh eyes you will spot any errors or glaring sections that don’t work together more easily as you will now be

looking at this as a whole. Now if you are happy, proceed, if not correct the individual areas or entire

composition until it looks its best.

15

ADD THE GLINT

A glint is included in the files supplied with

this tutorial on FileSilo. Simply paste the layer over

the top of your design, position it where you think it

should go, and then change the layer mode to

Screen and the glint will be added. Adjust the

opacity to customise the effect.

Graphics & new media

160 The Professional Photoshop Book

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