Snow Effect Tutorial

Please PM The Big Z if you have a question regarding this tutorial.

Snow Effect Tutorial

The purpose of this tutorial is to show how one can add a snowstorm effect to your SC4 pics, whether of a City Journal or other reason. I used Photoshop 7, but I am sure that you can use any photo editing software with the same capabilities.

STEP ONE:

Find a Picture

You may use whatever picture you want. I am using a picture of JENX Burg Eltz V12 from my City Journal. Open the picture in Photoshop.

Step TWO:

Replacing Colors

For the next Step you need to add some of the white stuff! So, click on Image>Adjustments>Replace Color. As the picture indicates.

Now, your mouse will become a dropper. Click on a color of your choice. I chose some of the roof colors because snow likes to stick there, a lot. Of course there will be other places in the picture that will share that color. So, be careful what you choose! Now, don't worry about the quality quite yet. You can slide the 'fuzziness' bar at the top of the Replace Color Window. Once you've reached your desired look, click OK.

Step THREE:

Its Awful Cloudy

Now, create a new Layer. I find that Ctrl+Alt+N works best, but however you want to add a new layer is fine. Make sure the colors you have set are either Black and White or a Shade of Gray and White. NO COLORS! Make sure your layer's opacity is 50%. Then click on Filter>Render>Clouds. Now your picture will be somewhat, well, gray or darker.

Step FOUR:

Noise, Noise, Noise

Ok, now it time to add your snow flakes! On the Toolbar, click Filter>Noise>Add Noise. A window like the one below should appear. Slide the bar around to see how bad you want your storm to be. Make sure you have chosen the options: Glaussian, and Monochromatic. If you don't, you'll get a bunch of colored snow flakes!

Step FIVE:

LET IT SNOW

Ok, this last part is really easy. Go back to Filter, but go to Blur>Motion Blur. Now, a window will pop up, and you can choose how many pixels to move your layer. I would suggest NOT going over 20 pixels, or it won't really look realistic, unless you're in a tornado. You can also choose what angle. So, left, right, up, down. It's up to you! Once you've found your desired look, simply click OK. And viola! You're finished!

**TIDBITS**

Now, don't forget, its your picture! Experiment a little! Change the Opacity, if you want an even stronger storm! Or, less motion, if you want a lighter snow fall! There is endless possibilities! But first and foremost, make sure you have FUN!