First tutorial :)
from 
to 
it's not much, but it touches up the picture with some contrast. :)
involes: Selective Color & Hue/Saturation layers.
Step 1: Resize base to 100x100 icon size. Do whatever you need to do with it.
Step 2: Duplicate base (Layer > Duplicate Layer), add Selective Color layer (Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Selective Color Layer):
Selective Color Adjustments:
Reds: -100, 0, 100, 0
Neutrals: 50, 0, -50, 0
Merge the Selective Color Layer down to the duplicated layer. Set to Softlight.
Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur... and set radius to 1.0. Set the opacity of this layer between 60% and 70%.
Step 3: Stamp visible. (CTRL + ALT + SHIFT + E)
Step 4: Add a Hue/Saturation layer. (Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation) Set the saturation to 15.
Step 5: Duplicate the layer under the Hue/Saturation layer. Drag it above the Hue/Saturation layer. Set it to Screen. I put the opacity at 50%. Depending on your picture, you can play around with the opacity.
Step 6: Stamp visible. (CTRL + ALT + SHIFT + E)
Step 7: Now, you don't HAVE to do this, but I think it looks better on the picture.
- Filter > Sharpen > Smart Sharpen...
- Set the amount to 30.
You probably have it set as the blur tool. But take the Sharpen tool (Triangle), Set the brush to a round, soft brush (size:27), set the strength to 50%, and just lightly brush over parts of your picture. I brushed specific parts though... like my hair, and my jacket. I wanted those parts to stand out more. I usually will click my eyes a couple times, but my eyes aren't showing. Basically, you want to sharpen the "shiny" parts (I guess that's the best way to explain it).
When you're done with all of that, Stamp visible, and voila! :)
to it's not much, but it touches up the picture with some contrast. :)
involes: Selective Color & Hue/Saturation layers.
Step 1: Resize base to 100x100 icon size. Do whatever you need to do with it.
Step 2: Duplicate base (Layer > Duplicate Layer), add Selective Color layer (Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Selective Color Layer):
Selective Color Adjustments:
Reds: -100, 0, 100, 0
Neutrals: 50, 0, -50, 0
Merge the Selective Color Layer down to the duplicated layer. Set to Softlight.
Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur... and set radius to 1.0. Set the opacity of this layer between 60% and 70%.
Step 3: Stamp visible. (CTRL + ALT + SHIFT + E)
Step 4: Add a Hue/Saturation layer. (Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation) Set the saturation to 15.
Step 5: Duplicate the layer under the Hue/Saturation layer. Drag it above the Hue/Saturation layer. Set it to Screen. I put the opacity at 50%. Depending on your picture, you can play around with the opacity.
Step 6: Stamp visible. (CTRL + ALT + SHIFT + E)
Step 7: Now, you don't HAVE to do this, but I think it looks better on the picture.
- Filter > Sharpen > Smart Sharpen...
- Set the amount to 30.
You probably have it set as the blur tool. But take the Sharpen tool (Triangle), Set the brush to a round, soft brush (size:27), set the strength to 50%, and just lightly brush over parts of your picture. I brushed specific parts though... like my hair, and my jacket. I wanted those parts to stand out more. I usually will click my eyes a couple times, but my eyes aren't showing. Basically, you want to sharpen the "shiny" parts (I guess that's the best way to explain it).
When you're done with all of that, Stamp visible, and voila! :)