In and Out of Focus Collages

Photos are often used to create the page header. Since text will be placed over the image it can be tough to find an image which is interesting, yet allows the text to be readable.

One way to solve that problem is to blur the image, place the text over the blurred area, and then select a few spots which will remain in focus.

to achieve this look I made a copy of the original photo and selected an area of 3 circles. I copied and pasted this area into another layer. I stroked the 3 circle area with white.

Next I went to the layer below and applied a Gaussian Blur - Filter > Blur >Gaussian Blur

This image of Russian Mosques is a much better background for the text, now that most of it has had the Gaussian Blur applied to it. The white stroke further defines the focused areas.

To view this file as a Photoshop document access the CD > CIS 58.53B Advanced Class > PSD > photos > focus-domes.psd

In the collage below I have 3 images which are in sharp focus, placed on top of a photo of the campus which is blurred and has a layer opacity of 50%. The campus image, adds depth and visual interest to the collages, but because it is faded and blurred the eye does not focus on it.

For an even simpler look - duotone the background and foreground images.

In this collage I have 3 major images in sharp focus and 4 minor images blurred and duotoned to match the background color.

To view this file as a Photoshop document access the CD > CIS 58.53B Advanced Class > PSD > photos > focus-collage.psd