How to make perfect screenshots?

[thoomsn]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to know how the experts among you do their screenshots. I run GWX 2.0 with high resolution (1280 x 1024) made with a tool of the SH3 Power Pack. That looks really good so far. What I would like to improve is the general quality of the screenshots - more sharpness, better colors etc. Does anyone have an idea?
If it' important: I use Photoshop CS2.

Thanx for your help!
Thoomsn

[flakmonkey]

I guess it depends on the look your going for i use CS2 mostly to make screenshots look a bit more photographic.

Photoshop`s diffuse glow filter can add a certain something (filters>distort>diffuse glow) + adding grain and using a sharpen filter can also improve the look of a screenie.
Auto-levels can also improve the overall appearance of a pic.
You can add lens flare too, just dont make it too bright or it`ll look rubbish! (filters>render>lens flare)
+you can always desaturete the image to get that b&w look.

++ The obvious one, before you even take the screenshot, make sure your settings are at their max, ie at least 4x AA and 16xAF (in your vid cards control panel)

A few of my shots:
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa186/tris1066/p6.jpg
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa186/tris1066/p1t.jpg
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa186/tris1066/p2.jpg
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa186/tris1066/photo.jpg

[TarJak]

I use Picassa as well as PS. Picassa has a bunch of one click tools that handle things like glow, sharpness, saturation, warmth, colour filters, B&W etc. which makes it easy to see changes on the fly before saving. I use PS mainly for when I want to add layers or text for things like realistic photo effects adding light sources or lens flare.

As Flakmonkey says it depends on the look you are after. I mess about with an image until I get something that I like then post it to see what others say about the images.

An important part of the process for me is how you frame and compose the shot itself. Play around with the camera movement controls until you are comfortable with what they do. A helpful hint is to pause the game which allows you to stop the action and move the external camera to wherever you want it so that you can compose an interesting shot. Look at where the light is coming from and use interesting light and weather features to make the shot more interesting.

Take a browse through the screenshots thread for some ideas on positioning and framing.

[coronas]

This screen capture program is very usefull:
http://www.howiesfunware.com/
It's easy, versatile and it has diferent formats.
Frame and compose is very important as TarJak said.

[Wolfehunter]

Ya I fool around with the photoshop features hoping to stumble onto a new idea...:up:
Sometimes it doesn't come out right..:nope:
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff110/WolfeXhunter/Loadingscreen_1.jpg

Trial and Error is the way to go. The best way to learn and most fun way too. ;)

[thoomsn]

tahks a lot for your support, folks. I've donwloaded this screen capture tool and will try it. same with your ideas about photoshop.
something else: is there - besides using a higher game resolution and 4x AA/16x AF - any other way to improve the quality of the game graphics? I guess not but if anyone has an idea, please let me know. my GeForce 8800 ultra can do a lot more but - that's oviously the real problem behind it - sh3 can not:-?

thanx - and back to sea.
thoomsn

[P_Funk]

One method I found to create a very cool and aged image is to use a semi transparent layer created from an old piece of parchment or the like.

You desaturate the basic image that you're modifying (makes it B&W) and then you do the same to the parchment. You go select colour range and get rid of all the white and then take all the black and you have bunch of splotches that look like a very abused photograph. I'm still toying with it. I'll post back more complete instructions later.

EDIT.
Something like this perhaps. Blank aged parchment (http://kingsgrave.com/images/backgrounds/Parchment-full-size.jpg)

[Boris]

If you have Paint Shop Pro, the smart photo fix function is a great way to tweak various settings and get the effects that you want.

[Wolfehunter]

Also look for nice texture images for you personal backround on the net. Sometimes finding leather or wooden backround can give you a more real feel to the picture your making.
example;
Basic pic leather burnt backround image.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff110/WolfeXhunter/Sample_1.jpg
Finished photo with alot of tweaking.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff110/WolfeXhunter/Oldmanpic_2.jpg

Alot of trial and error and you can create almost anything.:up: