Create a Festive Christmas e-Card Using Your Photo

A short tutorial for those who don’t have a graphic design degree, but wish to create a simple clean Christmas e-card from their images within the familiar surroundings of Photoshop.

Don’t miss our our great collection of Christmas gift ideas for photographers!

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Video: Christmas bokeh in 60 seconds

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You’ve all seen the photos of the beautiful out of focus highlights behind some object of interest. Now you too can participate in this irresistable photographic cliché! It’s all just a simple matter of position and focus.

To achieve the effect in this video, the only thing I changed was to move the model away from the background (closer to the camera) and refocus.

For more in-depth information about depth of field and how you can control it and use its awesome power to triumph over evil, check out these articles from the Photodoto archives:

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Christmas Gift Ideas Using Your Own Photos

If last week’s funky Christmas gift ideas weren’t enough for you and you’re still struggling for inspiration here’s a few more ideas. These one’s are things you can make with your own photos.

  • First off there’s the traditional photo book. Check out John’s screencast to see how easy that one can be to make.
  • If photo books are just a bit too traditional for you how about a pair of Keds? You can design your own shoes using photos, text, or your own designs over at Zazzle. Costs from $50 to $60 and come in lace up or slip on styles for women or kids but they don’t seem to offer any mens styles.
  • Struggling to find a gift for your teenager? Zazzle also offer custom skateboards you can add your own designs to. Starting at $60 with $1 shipping (current promotion) and Zazzle claim to have them shipped in 24 hours.
  • If you’re looking for a more family orientated gift check out the Celebrate Everyday Life Book or the Year in Review Book on Shutterfly,

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Funky Christmas Gifts

Need something a little more unusual than photo books and gorilla pods (so last year!) to give the photography-obsessed people in your life this festive season? Check out these funky offerings:

  • Fashionable and funky neck straps, wristlets, and lens cosies from My Funky Camera. Ranging from $25 to $32. International shipping costs the same as domestic.
  • The super secret spy lens from The Photojojo Store. $80 for the lens and all adapters.
  • The Flickerverse Official T-shirt, also from The Photojojo Store. $20 for one, $36 for two.
  • “Death to Film” Tote Bag for the digital camera convert from About Digital Cameras Cafepress Store. $15.99
  • “Keep Film Alive” Hoody for the old school photographer, also from About Digital Camera Cafepress Store. $37.99
  • Get photography related cartoons printed on everything from chopping boards and aprons to shoulder bags and umbrellas or just regular old framed prints, from CartoonStock. Ranging from £6 to £41 (available in the US by selecting “buy through Zazzle”

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