The object of this lesson is to familiarize yourself with the 'Focal B&W' effect in Picasa 2. Many times we have a great shot hidden within a shot; it's just the annoying background that distracts from the Main subject of our photo. In a program like Photoshop 7 we can extract the main subject, put it on a different layer, then make the original layer B&W to make the main subject 'pop' out of the background. But that's a lot of complicated work if you're just shooting for fun.
In Picasa 2 there is an 'effect' that allows you to have a similar result with the push of a button (and a couple of adjustments). It's not perfect, but it does work well enough to mention it.
In this lesson we'll go step by step to make the subject 'pop' in six steps, but really three basic steps. The graphics might be a bit heavy on this page for those on dialup, but by the time your read this really, really, really, really long sentence they should be finished loading. Maybe even go make yourself a cup of coffee. Read the newspaper, do your taxes. You know you've been putting them off...by the time you get your refund these graphics should be done.
We'll start with this image taken recently at a Marble Falls High School Basket Ball game:
1. Open Picasa 2 and find the image you want to edit:
2. Once you have your photo enlarged for editing, click on the 'Effects' Tab:
3. Click on 'Focal B&W' square:
4. Use the Sliders to change the size of circle of
color, and how much it feathers into the background.
Move the green reticule with your mouse until it's over
the main subject.
Adjust these settings until you get the look you want
for your photo.
Click 'Apply'.
5. Click 'File' on the Menu, then use 'Save a Copy...'
6. You're almost done. Click on 'Back to Library'.
Find your original file, right-click on it and click 'Undo
all Edits' - this will revert your original photo.
Your edited photo will be saved in the same folder with the
number '1' added to the filename.
You end up with this:
Here's how it would look in Photoshop after about an hour of tweaking:
You can download Picasa 2 here: www.picasa.com
Images on this page where captured with SnagIt.
