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Fractal Manip. Tutorial For PS — Description
On the heels of my ’fake fractal’ tutorial
This is a little tutorial for manipulating fractals using photoshop I’ve been asked how I make some of my fractal manipulation abstract images and for ages I’ve been intending to do a tutorial on how I create some of them
This is more or less how I can often start with a random batch that is a little plain and vamp it up into something with more flair…
i made this using photoshop but its possible to apply the same sort of process using other photoediting programs

special thanks to ~AnthroShogun for sending me the random batch fractal I’ve used for a majority of this tutorial

All other images used are my own random batches and fractal manipulations

Fractal manipulation Tutorial ( for Photoshop) </u>

Step 1 - Find a starting image

Find an image - it doesn’t have to be a great one
Just a potentially interesting random batch fractal
Below are some examples all just rendered from random batches in Apophysis.

Step 2 - New document

Open a new document larger than your random batch shape usually resize mine as to keep the new document between 50cm X 50cm and 100cm X 100cm it all depends on the size of my random batch fractal (in this example I’ve used 75cm by 75cm )
fill the background layer in a colour that will make your random batch fractal stand out it can be deleted later on and replaced altered etc.
if your starting image is dark I suggest a light background if its light use a dark one

Step 3 - Copy , paste and rotate

Paste your abstract shape into the new document

3b. -Paste the shape again and rotate it to start building up a more complex pattern, I find it helps if its got a degree of rotational symmetry in this instance I’ve just gone for 6 shapes but I’m finding between 3 and 12 can work well

3c. - if you want to use Odd numbers they can be a little trickier but drawing a guide centre shape that can be deleted later helps get the angles even.

Step 4 - Copy merged

Make the background transparent and then copy the merged layers

Step 5 - delete the old layers

bring your background back and delete the initial shapes you used - you don’t need them any more - then paste into the document
You should have one background layer then one layer with all your fractal shapes on it J

Step 6 - paste again

Paste your shape into the document again
( you should have the same shape on 2 layers now)

Step 7 - Pinch

Use the pinch tool and pinch this layer on 20%

Step 8- copy and pinch some more

Paste the shape again creating your 3rd layer and use the pinch tool on 40%
Paste again creating your 4th layer and use the pinch tool at 60%
Paste again creating your 5h layer and use the pinch tool at 80%
Paste again creating your 5h layer and use the pinch tool at 100%

Step 9 - free rotating

Go back to your previous layers and use free rotate to turn each one slightly from its original point
I find it easiest to move up the layers from the lower ones to the upper ones and free rotate them all just slightly to reveal a little of the layer behind and create a step like effect

Step 10 - background& border

If you don’t like the plain background you can either add a texture or another fractal to add a pattern to it or crop the image down so the pattern fills the document completely

*10a plain background
*10b fractal as background
*10c image cropped down

Step 12 other editing

I find adding a simple border helps finish a piece off nicely.
Sometimes you might have liked the colours you started with in a piece like this but might not like them so much once its all together
you can tweak colours on the layers or brightness to give different effects your only limit is imagination
Once you’re happy save it and you’re done!
In the main example I changed the colours on the layers, added a fractal as a background and then added the border.
Also inverting an image can give it a new twist

All three example images are older works of mine found in my gallery

All images and literature/written work in =rockgem's gallery are © Gemma Hart. All rights reserved. Reproduction and/or retransmission of all or any part of this gallery are prohibited under copyright law. Users desiring to reproduce or retransmit all or any part of this gallery must first secure in writing the appropriate copyright and other authorization from the copyright owner. My work is not public domain.
Thankyou.