Snagit Learning Center

Snagit 9 Tutorial:

Create a Dramatic, Lomo Style Graphic

Lomography images are characterized by surreal, dramatic saturations of color and a slightly blurry feel. A Lomo style graphic creates visually interesting works of art from otherwise common or ordinary photographs. This tutorial will teach you how to use Snagit Editor to create a lomography-style image from a photograph.

Here are some examples:

About this Project

• Estimated time to complete this tutorial is 15 minutes.
• This tutorial does not demonstrate how to take a screen capture. To learn how to do this, see the Snagit online help.

What you Need to Get Started

You will need the following in order to successfully complete this tutorial.

• Snagit 9.0. If you do not have Snagit 9.0, you can download a copy here.
• A photographic image open within Snagit Editor. Images that have a light colored focal point with less complicated areas around them make ideal lomography-style images. However, each photo is different and you can experiment with all kinds of photos once you learn this technique.

Skill Level: Intermediate

This tutorial is suitable for intermediate users of Snagit. Knowledge of Snagit Editor’s ribbon tabs and saving a file is required.

Let's Get Started: Creating a Dramatic, Lomo Style Graphic

The following section takes you through this tutorial step-by-step. To be successful, do not skip any steps.

This is the image used in this tutorial.

 

Save the Capture

If you are using a photo in the Open Captures Tray that has not been saved, save as a PNG. The image should remain open in the Tray.

Apply the Color Effects

1. Choose Image tab > Modify group > Color Effects button > Color Correction option. The Color Correction dialog box appears.
2. Move the Saturation slider to 100%.
3. Move the Gamma slider just enough to the left to create deep shadows and rich color tones.
4. Move the Hue slider to the color range you desire. Once you find the range you want, click the up or down arrows to fine tune the coloring.
5. Move the Contrast slider to the right a little bit – just enough to give the photo a slightly overexposed look.
6. Optional: Move the Gamma and Hue sliders again to fine tune your settings to achieve the best results (rich, dark colors and slightly overexposed whites).
7. Click Close. Your images should now have some striking colors and a central focal point as seen below.
   

Apply the Watermark Effect

1. Choose Image tab > Modify group > Watermark button. The Watermark options dialog box appears.
2. Browse and select the image currently open in Editor.
   
3. Click the Advanced settings link. The advanced options appear.
   
4. Set the Horizontal offset slider to zero.
5. Set the Vertical offset slider to zero.
   
6. Set the Watermark size option to 100%.
7. Experiment with the Depth option to get the correct effect. Typically, the setting will be around 500-518. The best way to get the correct setting is to click the spinner control upward one click at a time until the 3D effects “pops” into place.
   
8. Experiment with the Direction setting to find the setting best for your image.
9. Click Close.

Apply the Spotlight Effect

1. Use the Draw tab > Drawing Tools group > Selection tool to drag a very, very SMALL selection in the middle of the canvas. This should be no larger than the tip of pen or pencil.
   
2. Choose Image tab > Modify group > Spotlight & Magnify button. The Spotlight & Magnify dialog box appears.
3. Adjust the Dim background setting just enough to intensify and deepen the colors.
4. Adjust the Blur background setting just enough to give the image an ever-so-slightly out of focus appearance.
   
5. Click Close.

Congratulations! You have just created a lomography-style photograph.

Variations

Repeat the Application of the Color Effects

This is the step that creates the most unusual, interesting color combinations.

1. Choose Image tab > Modify group > Color Effects button > Color Correction option. The Color Correction dialog box appears.
2. Move the Saturation slider to 100%.
3. Experiment with the Gamma, Hue, and Contrast sliders to achieve the desired look.
4. Click Close. Your images now have some very unusual, striking colors with a central focal point as seen below.
   

Four Quadrant Color Block

In this image, a rectangular selection was made and the Color Effects were made just to that selection. This was repeated two more times to create a total of four different looks. Then, the canvas was enlarged by dragging the canvas handles and the image was broken up creating some white space in between the quadrants. Finally, a selection was made around each quadrant and a beveled edge effect was applied.

Solar Lomography

In this image, the Invert Colors effect was applied to the photo before the rest of the effects were applied.

Watercolor Lomography

In this image, the Pen tool was used to apply watercolor-style layers of transparent color to the final graphic to give it the look of a watercolor painting.

Block Print Lomography

In this image, the Posterize effect was used to turn the final image into a stylish pen and ink block print.