Dramatic Flair with Filters
by Nannette Dalton

Turn a lens flare into an element that can be easily manipulated.

Step One: Create a Workspace

• Create a new 12 x 12 inch document (File > New > Blank File) at 300 ppi with a white background. (PS: Choose File > New.)
• Open a background paper (File > Open). I’m using a paper from Anna Aspnes.
• Get the Move tool.
• Holding down the Shift key, click and drag the paper onto the new document.

• Close the original background paper. The new document should now be the active document.
• Press the letter D to reset the Color Chips to the default of black and white.

Step Two: Create a Black Layer

• In the Layers panel, make sure the paper layer is the active layer.
• Click on the Create a New Layer icon.
• Press Alt Backspace (Mac: Opt Backspace) to fill the new layer with the Foreground Color Chip of black.

Don’t worry. I know this looks a little scary, but the black will all disappear.

Step Three: Apply the Lens Flare Filter

• In the Menu Bar, choose Filter > Render > Lens Flare.
• In the dialog box, set the Brightness to 100% and choose the 50-300 mm Zoom. Click OK.

Note: I used the 50-300mm Zoom option on my layout, but any of them will work with this tutorial.

Step Four: Change the Blend Mode

• In the Layers panel, change the Blend Mode of the flare layer to Screen.

Step Five: Edit the Flare Layer

• Lower the Opacity.
• Move it around.
• Transform the size.
• Mask or erase parts of the flare.
• Etc.

Here’s a scrapbook page I made using this tutorial.

 

I also used the Lens Flare Filter on this word art to give it a little more shine. (Told you I want to use it everywhere!)

Have fun with this dramatic little tool and show us what you did with it in the Digi Scrap Tutorial Gallery.

Credits: 
Scrapbook Page: “Eyes” by Nannette Dalton
Kits: “Art Play Palette Family” by Anna Aspnes, Striped Overlays by Anna Aspnes
Fonts: Chopin Script, American Typewriter
Sketch created with Akvis Sketch filter PlugIn
Software: Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements

Originally published June 2012.

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Author: Nannette Dalton | Contact Us
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