"dimming" a photo 1

[deana7732]

Hello all,

I am trying to use a photo as a background. I thought what I needed to do was create a halftone screen, but I am no longer sure that that will give me the desired effect. I was able to "dim" (for lack of a better word)a photo to somewhere around 35% and maintain colors last week, but it was by accident and I honestly cannot remember how I managed it. I am using Illustrator, and I also have Photo Editor, which I never use in the hopes of eventually convincing someone that I need Photoshop. I am mostly self-taught, except for a Masters-level layout class in which I learned, um, not much.

I know this must be extremely simple, but I am really struggling.

Thanks!

 

[askIllustrator]

double click on the layer the contains the art. Set the dimming to a desired amount. Enjoy. BEHOLD! As Steve Jobs introduces us the latest in desk-lamp technology!

http://www.apple.com

 

[deana7732]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I knew it was amazingly easy, but I just couldn't get it! (Although I locked up my computer four different times trying)And it's really called "dimming"!!!

I appreciate your help--after two snow days at home, I was beginning to think my mind was too fried to work properly!

Deana

 

[askIllustrator]

"If I'd known it was that easy, I would have started using it a long time ago!" - lost count on how many times I've said that.

If it was obvious, we wouldn't need these forums Glad I could help. BEHOLD! As Steve Jobs introduces us the latest in desk-lamp technology!

http://www.apple.com

 

[deana7732]

Well, I thought it was that easy. It worked for a week.

I have several photos on the page, and when I dim one, it dims them all. They are not grouped. Is there a way around this?

Thanks in advance!!

Deana

 

[blueark]

Put them on different layers. The dimming feature affects images on the one layer only.

 

[jimoblak]

How about slapping individual white boxes over the photos and setting the transparency of the white fill to 40% or something similar? Do this if you don't want to clutter your layers palette - - which is still the better solution.

By using translucent object overlays, you can even select partial areas of your photos to 'dim'.

 

[askIllustrator]

I'd go with the extra layer just for your photos. It's better to have a few extra layers rather than a slow document. The transparancy option would slow down your work speed considerably. BEHOLD! As Steve Jobs introduces us the latest in desk-lamp technology!

http://www.apple.com

 

[deana7732]

Thank you for your help. I am not sure I am even doing this correctly. I am also finding that it only dims on screen, and it need it lighter as a background when it prints. (I took a photo, embossed it, now it needs to be lighter so the text will show up.)

I am a little frustrated at this point!!

Deana

 

[askIllustrator]

Illustrator is not necessarily the best tool for working with photo's. It's great for the kind of stuff your doing though. Ganging up a bunch of pics for output is one of AI's strengths but when it comes to manipulation of continous tone (rasterized) images you have a great deal more success in photoshop. In photoshops 'Image' menu you'll find a bunch of options designed specifically for color enhancement, dimming, fading and such. Just remember this. "Only what is selected can be affected" and in photoshop, if nothing is selected (marqueed or dancing ants), it is the same as selecting everything. BEHOLD! As Steve Jobs introduces us the latest in desk-lamp technology!

http://www.apple.com