Texturized Bug

The last thing I did to my bug painting was to make it into a texture background.  For this exercise, I used Photoshop CS5 once again.

First, I select all of the image, "Cmd-A" (Ctrl-A on PC) and copy, "Cmd-C" (Ctrl-C for PC users) and pasted it on a new layer.  On this layer, I desaturated it with keyboard combo "Shift-Cmd-U" and then select all and copy again.

Here I need to create a new Alpha Channel.  To do that, click on "/Filter/Render/Lighting Effects.../"

On the following screenshot, you will notice that there's a problem.  Don't worry, the menu items I mentioned are correct.  However, it doesn't show it on my version of Photoshop CS5.

I never really used Photoshop beyond just manipulating the colours and highlighting and optimizing the image size prior to this.  So, I kinda got stuck.  It is strange that my copy of PS CS5 was missing a menu feature.  I asked and no one I asked had an answer.  I searched online for remedy and found out that the problem lies with PS CS5 runs on a 64 bit and that it must to switched to 32 bit to have that menu feature.  This to me is quite a surprise and I was very disappointed.  At first, I thought that it was not available on my Mac when it runs 64 bit.  However, I know that the PC's have been running 64 bit a while longer than the Mac.  The problem does not seem to be with the Mac after I found a solution online.  When I changed the setting on the Mac by going to the Application folder and right click the icon that launches PS, and checkmark "Open in 32-bit mode". 

The menu feature of Light Effects...showed up after I've made the change to run 32-bit for PS.  I guess no love from Adobe...thanks a lot!

Finally, back at the ranch, after clicking "Lighting Effects..." a window pops and here decide the settings according how you wish your texture will appear.  Just ensure that "Preview" is checked to see the changes immediately in the preview.

When you are satisfied how your image is textured, click "Ok", save , and enjoy you work!  Here's my version.

Looking at Texture

Textures I found around town.  Closing in on things gives another perspective of everyday things in the city.  Sometimes if we look up, the clouds sends us signals.  Droplets of water carry a scene that we can't see when we are too far away.  The animals also communicates with us using their contrasting skin or furs.  Nature beckons our attention with the colours they are created with.  Just that we often neglect these calls.  Our attention are diverted into our busyness.  Let the various forms of texture tranquilize you.

Bird Nest - ISO 100 at 300 mm focal length with f/5.6 and 1/60 shutter speed.  

Zebra at the Toronto Zoo - ISO 100 at 280 mm focal length with f/9 and 1/125 shutter speed.

Flowers of a shrub outside the Film building at York University - ISO 80 at 3.9 mm focal length with f/2.8 and 1/150 shutter speed.

After the rain clouds, which seems to signal more rain on the way - ISO 100 at 3.9 mm focal length with f/2.8 and 1/120 shutter speed.

Droplets for texture - ISO 100 at 3.9 mm focal length with f/2.8 and 1/60 shutter speed.

Textures of Sesame Ice Cream - ISO 1600 at 50 mm focal length with f/5.6 and 1/40 shutter speed.

Textures on Cloud Nine - ISO 100 at 29 mm focal length with f/22 and 1/160 shutter speed.

Strawberries homework that O ate - ISO 800 at 55 mm focal length with f/5.6 and 1/8 shutter speed.

Droplets after the rain of reeves - ISO 100 at 55 mm focal length with f/6.3 and 1/40 shutter speed.

Toronto Zoo imitating a forest - ISO 100 at 18 mm focal length with f/3.5 and 1/100 shutter speed.

Water texture on the Penguin display - ISO 100 at 95mm focal length with f/11 and 1/400 shutter speed.