How to make perfect screenshots?

flakmonkey · 03-04-08, 04:49 AM

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/a...ris1066/p6.jpg
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...is1066/p1t.jpg
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...ris1066/p2.jpg
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...1066/photo.jpg

TarJak · 03-04-08, 06:37 AM

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 · 03-04-08, 11:26 AM

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 · 03-04-08, 11:48 AM

Ya I fool around with the photoshop features hoping to stumble onto a new idea...

Sometimes it doesn't come out right..

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...ngscreen_1.jpg

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

03-04-08, 04:49 AM	#1
flakmonkey Grey Wolf Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Staffordshire, Uk Posts: 944 Downloads: 78 Uploads: 0	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/a...ris1066/p6.jpg http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...is1066/p1t.jpg http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...ris1066/p2.jpg http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...1066/photo.jpg __________________

03-04-08, 11:48 AM	#4
Wolfehunter Crusty Capt. Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2,752 Downloads: 40 Uploads: 25	Ya I fool around with the photoshop features hoping to stumble onto a new idea... Sometimes it doesn't come out right.. http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...ngscreen_1.jpg Trial and Error is the way to go. The best way to learn and most fun way too. __________________

03-04-08, 06:37 AM	#2
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	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.

03-04-08, 11:26 AM	#3
coronas Ace of the Deep Join Date: May 2005 Location: Asturias, España Posts: 1,168 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 0	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.