How to resize your digital images for printing

As a photographer, I am confident in my talent and knowledge.  However, if I were to be told I had to be a mathematician....well, I would be completely out of luck. Thankfully, when I need to resize a digital image LR 5 (Light Room 5) already uses a 240 dpi (dot per inch); also known as ppi (pixels per inch) that automatically resizes my photos without me having to do them manually.  However, sometimes I do like to do things the hard way -- you can say I am a little stubborn with a whole lot of perfectionist.


I found  a video on YouTube that can help you learn how to quickly (under two minutes) resize a digital image manually.  This video shows you two different ways how to achieve this in Photoshop.


Click here to view, professional renowned photographer Scott Kelby's video on how to resize an image in Photoshop.

How to add a sky overlay in PS CC: Part 1

Have you ever taken a photo outside and the sky looks very bright and white?   I know I have. I am guessing that you have too. Well, today you are going to be able to add a sky overlay to fix that pesky whiteout in your photo in under 2 minutes!   Yes, folks', it is THAT easy.


Step 1:   Open the photo you wish you edit in Photoshop
Step 2:  Once you've loaded your photo, right click on your photo in the photo panel and create a duplicate layer.

Should look like this

Step 3:  Next, right click again on the original layer and then press the Lock symbol.  This will cause the layer to lock in place, so you do not accidentally ruin it and have to start over. 

Step 4: Once your original layer is locked, press File, then press "Place" or "Place Embedded". 

Step 5:  Choose the overlay you wish to use for your photo.  Be sure to have some already downloaded (it is easier and quicker to have them pre-loaded). Then press "Place".

Step 6: Next click on the check mark symbol once you have your overlay in place. 

Step 7:  In your photo panel (located on the bottom right hand side) click on where it says "Normal" - this is your blending mode button.  Scroll down where it says "Multiply" then click on it. 

Step 8:  Once you have your blending mode on Multiply, click on your overlay in the photo panel, then click on the "Add Mask Layer" also known as the "Add Vector Mask" button (located under neath the photo panel -- is a white box with a grey circle in the middle). This will cause a white layer box to automatically pop up beside your overlay. 

Step 9:  Click on the Brush Tool (located on the left side of PS).  Be sure you choose a soft white brush. Next you're simply going to drag the brush over the parts of the photo that you want removed. By using the Brush Tool, you are blending in the overlay in with your photo. 

Step 10:  Lastly just gently blend the overlay in with the photo.  I left my overlay opacity at about 86% and my fill in layer around 90% -- Once you've blended in the overlay, be sure you right click on the overlay in the photo panel. This will cause a white screen to pop up -- click on "Merge Down". By merging the overlay edit down, it will combine with your duplicate layer and your original layer to form one layer.  All that is left is to simply click "File" and "Save As" and you're done!!

End Result

Let's talk about LR Presets!

If you are a photographer, then you have had experience with using Photoshop and/or Lightroom, perhaps other products from Adobe - yes?   What if I told you that you can find LR presets and PS Actions for free -- Would you believe me?  Well, it is true!   I have 44 user presets that I downloaded for FREE, no sign up costs, no package fee, FREE.


Here are some links where you can download free LR presets and PS Actions:
Cole's Classroom
The Coffeeshop Blog
Greater Than Gatsby
Adobe Creative Cloud - Add Ons


I'll be sure to add more links the more I find them and post them for you all on here!  (: