Affinity Photo offers all kinds of tools for blending images together, from layer blending modes to masking and more. In this project, we’ll take advantage of clipping, which allows us to position one layer inside the shape of another. This way, we can break our portrait down into several simple shades of grey then clip textures to each. To begin by using the Posterize effect, which allows us to simplify the image into just a few shades of grey. We’ve chosen to create four levels from white to black. From here, we can select the four areas of brightness using the Magic Wand tool and create separate layers for each.
Now the fun begins, as we can simply copy in different textures and colourful abstract images, then drag them on top of each layer so that the texture is confined to the shape of the layer. It lets us fill in each area of brightness with an image of our choice. We’ve supplied a free set of 15 textures for you to experiment with – see download link on the left. There’s colourful soap bubble images, rusty trays and close-up details. Not only are textures like this useful for this effect, they’re also a fun way to get creative with image blending for all sorts of interesting results. Try copying a texture on top of any photo then simply go to the Layers Panel and experiment with the layer blend modes. The Overlay, Multiply and Screen modes often work well.
STEP BY STEP
SURREAL PORTRAIT EFFECTS
Learn how to clip layers in Affinity Photo to create a striking portrait effect
Esta historia es de la edición September 2023 de PhotoPlus : The Canon Magazine.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September 2023 de PhotoPlus : The Canon Magazine.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
CANON Speedlite EL-5
With a touch of gold, it's the first Speedlite to feature Canon's new 'multi-function foot' £499/$399
Newo Ikkin
Professional portrait photographer Newo reveals the Canon gear and lighting equipment she can't live without when creating her fantastical photos
EXPOSURES MADE EASY
Learn all you need to know to take better exposures
INSPIRATIONS
STUNNING IMAGERY FROM THE WORLD OF CANON PHOTOGRAPHY
Manhattan makeover
James Paterson shows you how to transform cityscapes into eye-catching artwork with a combination of blending and selection skills in Affinity
Generate AI backdrops in Photoshop Beta
James Paterson demonstrates the new filter that creates backgrounds based on a few words
Enhance portraits with panel sliders
Sean McCormack shows how to combine these controls to great effect in Lightroom Classic
Macro on a budget
Dan Mold shows you how to capture detail without breaking the bank
Clear the streets
Dan Mold shows you how to remove people from tourist hotspots
Flash fungi in forests
Elevate your macro skills with off-camera flash as James Paterson teaches you to capture stunning mushroom photos on the forest floor