Xara Photo Editing Tip - Adding a star field to a photo

The other day, a guy on a photo forum website lamented that 'pro' landscape photos had stars... and how did they do that? Well, that set me off figuring it out in Xara. Easy!

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Now, putting aside the fact that you really can't see stars at sunset, and that if Polaris ever shows up near a setting sun, it's the End Of The World -- it's equally easy to add the stars to a nighttime photo --

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Next. Am trying to build a collection of photo-editing tips on the Xara-Users forum -- [removed link -link broken and or requires membership to view]

Xara's a LOT easier to use than Photoshop. But it is different. If you have any techniques or procedures for photo-editing that work well, could you please add them to the X-U thread? I know Xara's really for vector artwork, but when you end up using it more and more for photo editing, it's helpful to have a bunch of techniques in one place. Thanks, Jon Donahue

Good solution Jon.

I would clone the landscape photo first and apply a Linear Stained Glass fill to deepen the color of the sky. Then add your star field.

I'm going to move this thread to the Xara Graphics Chat where it should be more appropriate.

Thanks for posting this here Jon :) Why not start a collection of photo editing tips here as well?

Thanks for the tip Jon, I think it will be something I will use quite often. The technique works well.
Regards
Tabian

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Originally Posted by angelize

Thanks for posting this here Jon :) Why not start a collection of photo editing tips here as well?

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Now that sounds like a swell idea. I hope you give this some serious thought Jon.

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Originally Posted by jon404

'pro' landscape photos had stars...

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Do they? Even daytime ones? I'll have to pay more attention.

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Originally Posted by wizard509

Even daytime ones? I'll have to pay more attention.

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Yes, Larry. It's called the 'Sun' :)

Oh yeah Steve, I didn't think of that, but your right. The sun is a star. (slap forehead) I was thinking star field. :o

You'll see added stars in twilight and evening photos sometimes... it works if the stars are small and unobtrusive. My first attempts, like the above, they are too noticeable.

Xara's VERY interesting as a photo editor. Fast, useful. On the X-U forum, I've been able to re-create most of the common photo development techniques that used to be popular. Can't properly simulate polarizers, but I can't do that in Photoshop either.

This is just about what you could call traditional development techniques. Where Xara REALLY takes off is when you use the program features to make real photographic art -- like the images you see from Masque. Stunning, beautiful. And your work comes together so quickly with Xara. For me, now I'm retired, am looking forward to the next Photo & Graphic Designer -- which hopefully will have more photo-editing tools, like Photoshop's Dodge and Burn, and a better Color Replacer, and maybe an easy-to-use eraser, with transparency. We'll see!

I agree that Xara can be useful for photo editing jobs and it's nice when doing web design or desk top publishing projects to be able to edit your photos right there on the page. If you would like to share some more of your Photo editing tips here, you are more than welcome :)

Hi Jon404, thank you for contributing the neat mini tutorial/tip on Xara Photo Editing.

It has given me an idea. TG'ers who have Xara Photo Editing tips to share are invited to post them here in Xara Graphics Chat but with a prefix of Xara Photo Editing - to the title, for example

Xara Photo Editing - Making a Sepia-toned photo or Xara Photo Editing - Burning in highlights

That will make it easy for folks interested in Xara Photo Editing tips to pick them out on a page or do a search for them.

With each tip in its own thread, discussion can be focused on that technique.

Let's show the world what Xara can do.

Good idea, Barbara. :)

Allison