-Can be done in any program except Paint and is more compatible with Adobe Photoshop.
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This will be a very easy tutorial with not a lot of steps. This is just enhancing a regular, dull looking photograph. For this icon tutorial (can also be used with advanced pictures) I will be using a picture of Rihanna which got from, here. I re-sized it to cut off some of Rihanna's face though. xP Keep in mind, I will be using Photoshop for this tutorial.
001. To make it have a hint of sharpness go FILTER>>SHARPEN>>SHARPEN. If you think it is too sharp, don't worry it will look better after! =] It just takes a second to get used to.
002. On your layers box that's open (if it isn't go: WINDOW>>LAYERS and a box will pop up) right-click the background layer and press: Duplicate Layer... Then on the drop down menu that should be displaying; Normal change it to Screen. Now the Opacity right next to the modes change it from 100% to 25%. This is what it should look like so far:
003. To get a dark blue - edgy sort of tint look in this icon, I would like you to go LAYER>>NEW FILL LAYER>>SOLID COLOR... A box will pop up and one of the options has Mode: change it (on the drop down menu) to Difference. Another box will appear titled, 'Color Picker'. Change the color to this: #000031 and then click OK. This is what it should look like:
004. Now this is basically the last step to completing this icon tutorial. Go LAYER>>NEW ADJUSTMENT LAYER>>BRIGHTNESS/CONTRAST. A box will appear click OK and then another one will. Set Brightness to: -9 and Contrast to: +19. Now go LAYER>>FLATTEN ALL. You have successfully (hopefully) completed this tutorial. =]
