Adding rain to an image, any advice please? 4 images in 3rd post

[theMusicMan]

Hi All

Many here will know I am not a lover of amending images to show things that were not there at the time of the shot - I don't mind adjustments: HDR, colours, saturation and the usual amendments etc, but I don't normally add or remove pixels etc. However, amongst others I have a little project I am working on that I would have liked it to be raining at the time - sure, the E5 would have been fine, but my flash kit... well understandably, not so!! So, I am seeking advice as to the most effective (and simple) CS5 process that I could use for adding rain to an image.

I have done a google search of course and tried the simple filter>render fibre then filter>add motion blur technique etc, but though this is OK, it's not as good as I should like.

Do any Elements or Photoshop experts out there have any advice as to the best way to achieve this please?

I have attempted the effect in a few images, but want to try better techniques - though I am no Photoshop expert.

[Wee man]

Re: Adding rain to an image...? any advice please

Try ok see if you can do this in Tutorials etc. May be as you know but might help?

[theMusicMan]

Re: Adding rain to an image...? any advice please

Here's four that I had a go at already... please excuse the poor 'Photoshop rain addition'

[OlyPaul]

Re: Adding rain to an image, any advice please? 4 images in 3rd post

John is this effect any better than the one you have?

[Wee man]

Re: Adding rain to an image, any advice please? 4 images in 3rd post

From Snarrmans tutorial

OK, here's how it's done.

Take suitable picture, make a new layer and Add Noise (monochrome) and adjust the contrast using Levels to make it quite punchy.

Now do Motion Blur at a rain like angle. I think I used a length of about 60 pixels.

Change the layer blend mode to lighten and the mix value down to 60% or less.

You might need to tweak the "rain" layer using Levels again to make it look as realistic as possible.

Finally flatten and serve while it is still wet.

Hope this helps.

[snaarman]

Re: Adding rain to an image, any advice please? 4 images in 3rd post

From Snaarmans tutorial

OK, here's how it's done.

Take suitable picture, make a new layer and Add Noise (monochrome) and adjust the contrast using Levels to make it quite punchy.

Now do Motion Blur at a rain like angle. I think I used a length of about 60 pixels.

Change the layer blend mode to lighten and the mix value down to 60% or less.

You might need to tweak the "rain" layer using Levels again to make it look as realistic as possible.

Finally flatten and serve while it is still wet.

Hope this helps.

Oooh look, I'm famous.

Here's the example image that went with the blurb

[theMusicMan]

Re: Adding rain to an image, any advice please? 4 images in 3rd post

Thanks all

@ Paul: yes absolutely, it does look a lot better than mine, do you have the tutorial or instructions available please?

@ Pete: I shall try that on the images I've processed already and see how it looks. It looks better on yours.

I really enjoy 'Project' type photography immensely, as well as the usual landscapes and portraits etc. Makes you think about the objective in detail, forces you out of any comfort zone, and makes you learn about (1) your camera and (2) photography.

[OlyPaul]

Re: Adding rain to an image, any advice please? 4 images in 3rd post

John, the problem I find with yours and the standard Photoshop method that Pete uses is that with using noise or textures is that the "rain" is always too uniform in its pattern and also too dense not like real rain at all, so I devised my own way to overcome it.

Blank layer filled with black set to lighten then go to filter > Pixalate and select "Mezzotint" and one from the dropdown menu to suit the type and size of rain you want.



Now use the free transform tool to set the direction of the rain.



Next use the motion blur filter to taste and adjust the opacity of the filter layer again to taste.



Job Done.

I have also added this tutorial to OlyPauls Elements Tutorials so it can easily be found.

[theMusicMan]

Re: Adding rain to an image, any advice please? 4 images in 3rd post

WOW, that looks great Paul thanks. One question though... silly one I appreciate... how do I set a new layer filled with black? The tutorial I used to create the images already shown said I should duplicate the layer and set to black - but I didn't know how to set to black so I simply didn't!!

Ta

[OlyPaul]

Re: Adding rain to an image, any advice please? 4 images in 3rd post

Create a blank layer then go to Edit > Fill and select black.