Tutorials
Understanding Gradients
Gradients, or other wise known to fanartists as the most useful thing you can use on a piece. Gradients can add a lot to a piece and are extremely easy to use and make. To begin, we will learn to use gradients. For this tutorial I will simply use a single image.
In your layers pallette go to Create New Fill/Adjustment Layer and choose Gradient Map. From here you will choose the gradient you wish to use. Do not let colors disuade you from using them, often the weirdest color combinations are the most useful.
Usually the best effects happen by setting the gradient map to Soft Light and I tend to like to keep the opacities to around 50%.
From here you can add yet more gradients, to get different color combinations and effects.
Another type of gradient you can use is this:
To use this simply go to the top menu bar and choose your gradient you wish to use.
Then simply drag it across your canvas on a new layer.
From here you can set the layer blending options to that of your choosing. I decided on Soft Light.
To create or alter gradients, simply bring up the gradient menu, you can do this by double clicking on the gradient:
Here, you can play around with different colors and see what happens on your image until you get something that you like. You can alter one color, or all the colors. To save the gradient, simply go to "New" and save.
Really that's all there is to it. Simply find your own prefernces as to settings and opacities. Also, try numerous gradients (2 or more), there are no limits to what you can do, so play around and have fun!!