Matrix Text Effect

1) Go to File - New - Blank File. Match your settings to mine.

 

2) Go to Edit - Fill Layer. I am filling mine with black. 

 

3) Click on the 'horizontal type tool'. Type some text. You can see my settings below. 

 

4) Duplicate the text layer. Layer - Duplicate. 

5) On your duplicated layer go to Filter - Blur - Motion Blur. Set your settings similar to mine, or experiment with your own. 

 

6) You are done! See mine below. Matrix text can be used to sigs, avatars, and more. 

Photo With Highlights

Sometimes you find photos that look rather nice, but the colors are not as bright as you want them to be. An example is the photo below.

 

1) Open up your image in Photoshop Elements. 

2) Go to Layer - New - Layer. 

 

3) Select the brush tool (B) and use a soft, large brush. Set the opacity of the brush to 80%.

 

4) Select a color that complements your photo,  I am using #99131e. 

5) Go over the entire photo once, make sure you do not paint the same area twice. Once your entire photo is covered, paint sort of a blob in the corner so you cannot see through at all. 

 

6) Set the blend mode of this layer to 'soft light'. 

7) Again create a new layer by going to Layer - New - Layer. 

8) Change your color to something lighter and brigher. I am using #ff2638.

9) Paint in the corner again and even over the petal like I have done below. 

 

10) Set the blend mode to 'color'. Right now your layers palette should look similar to the one below. 

 

 

You are done! Hope you are satisfied with the outcome.