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toboldlyblahblahblah · 6 years

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Your gifs are beautiful and so clear! Have you ever done a tutorial on how you get them so flawless and well lit? Like esp DS9 and TNG gifsets! I love your work so much!

@maylovelies

Wow! Okay, for starters: Thank you so much! I really, REALLY appreciate the kind words and the time you took to send this! I really enjoy making gif sets and I’m always so glad to hear that people like how I edit mine.

To answer your question, yes, I have made a tutorial post in the past, but the method I used back then I’ve strayed from a bit, recently. Some of it I still use, but in reference to lighting and getting them to look a little more high quality, there are some other techniques I’ve been working with lately and really enjoying the results…

I can walk you through with a new example.

Here’s a quick gif from a scene of DS9:

and I’ll do a rundown on how I got it to look like this:

Going to put the rest of this below the cut, though, because it’s significantly longer than my last tutorial-based answer…

So! One trick is to not be afraid to stack up a few adjustment layers of the same variety, sometimes even duplicates of the exact same layer, on top of each other. The reason I do this is because wild adjustments on a single adjustment layer are a lot less controlled and will often effect the wrong parts of the scene’s lighting (by that I mostly mean shadows v highlights).

I edit for light first, personally. Here’s where I am after doing those corrections

Already looking a lot better and clearer. This was done using three adjustment layers.

The curves layer is just a basic “lighter” preset that you can find from the drop down menu once you open a new curves layer

The levels layer I start by using the preset “lighten shadows”

at that point the image looks very washed out and grainy

(still image)

so from there i just messed with the layer a bit until I liked it a little more, added some contrast and adjusted the distribution of light, etc.

which got the image looking like this

(still image)

But I still thought that looked kind of washed out and flat, so, lastly, I added a completely custom exposure adjustment layer where I pushed up the gamma correction and exposure settings (you can also push the offset into the negative to get a secondary effect similar to gamma correction, but it’s very harsh and temperamental, at times. I wouldn’t recommend it for first-time use)

that gets us back to this lightness corrected gifset, which I’ll post again now

You can actually get a similar look by using just curves adjustments and their presets. Here’s what happens if you take three (3) layers with the same curves “lighter” preset (see above) and then one (1) curves layer with the “medium contrast” preset.

and the results are pretty similar

Each technique lends itself better to different scenes. And obviously with either method (or a combination of both as tends to be the case on super dark scenes - cough, mirror-universe episodes, cough) you can customize a lot from these presets to get the desired effect. They just give you a good jumping-off point…

Now the first thing I always notice about adding brightness to these scenes is that the tones get very warm and muddy, so from there I usually like to color correct next.

I like to bump my vibrance and saturation sliders up before color correcting, but I know a lot of people do it after. That’s really just a matter of personal preference.

There are a handful of ways to color correct, and, just like with the lighting methods above, I tend to mix and match the various adjustment layers. I’ll use Color Balance (as illustrated in my previous tutorial) and I’ll also now use Hue/Saturation layers and Selective Colors layers.

Honestly, color correcting / color grading alone could be its own tutorial so I won’t go very in-depth on that here. But just play around with the settings and find a method that works for you. (If you feel like you’d want a specific run through on that, just shoot me an ask and I can cover it some other time in more detail.)

My one recommendation to help you avoid the big rookie mistake I made when I first started doing this is that with the hue/saturation layers, never use the Master slider option; instead, click the drop down menu and work on each color individually.

So here’s where we’re at once I bumped up the saturation and then did my color corrected.

You may notice how sometimes color correction darkens an image and undoes some of the work you did earlier (in my experience, this usually happens when you have to add a lot of blue in the color balance layer) You’ve got two options here. Either go back in to the previous brightness adjustment layers and lighten up some of the contrasts, or put a new layer over top of latest color edits to add brightness back in over top. Again, this comes down to personal preference. Experiment with either version and do whichever works best for you.

Here’s after I brightened it back up a little again.

Subtle difference, but it’s how I prefer it for this scene. Plenty of times scenes don’t end up needing it at all.

So the gif is looking pretty solid from there. In some cases, I’d actually stop right here and just add the quote text to the bottom and call it a day. But if you really want to make it look HQ, there’s a few additional steps…

Firstly, it helps to keep the images smaller (a retread of something I said in that other tutorial too, I believe) but after that, there’s a way to sharpen all the layers and frames at once while also reducing “noise,” both of which improve the quality of a gif.

To do that, take your frames timeline at the bottom of photoshop and click the little icon that looks sort of like a funnel going through a bar graph…

If you have history window open, it’ll say “Convert to Timeline” after you’ve done this, and instead of frames you’ll see a bunch of short purple lines instead of the gif’s individual frames. Don’t panic! That’s supposed to happen.

From this point, go to your layers window and select all of the layers that are frames of your gifs, which you can do by clicking the first layer - holding shift - then scrolling up to click the final layer - then releasing shift. They should all have the little eyeball icon on next to them, indicating that they’re all active. Then, right click the top layer and from the pop-up menu click “convert to smart object”

When you do this, all of the layers compress into one Smart Object with the name of the top layer.

Again, don’t panic!, you didn’t lose the other layers they’re just now all going to be affected by the sharpen filter instead of having to be edited one at a time.

Now, go to the top ribbon in Photoshop and in the drop down menus, go “Filter” > “Sharpen” > “Smart Sharpen…” and click that.

A little window will pop up that gives you a preview of how this filter will impact your image.

**notice that the smart sharpen preview does not show color and lighting corrections; that’s fine & because we are not applying this smart filter to any of our adjustment layers.

And what you do from here is again a matter of personal preference. Raise the sharpening amount too much and the image starts to look crinkly, have the noise reduction too high and all the detail gets smudged away.

Here’s an example of what happens if youwere to crank both the sharpness and the noise reduction all the way up:

(still image)

And I guess there’s maybe a place and time where something with this aesthetic would work for a particular scene or edit, but generally, I like to keep the settings pretty low. Sometimes, less really is more…

For a 268x200px gif of an 80′s or 90′s Trek show, I keep Reduce Noise at 10% and have the sharpening anywhere from like 85-150, depending on how much I’ve cropped in on the original camera crop. But for this gif, where I didn’t zoom in very much at all and pretty much kept it how the original videography framed her, keeping it around 95-115 works nicely.

When you’re done, click OK.

Now that Smart Object looks like this

And that’s pretty much it! Now, when you export your gif from Photoshop, it’ll look something like this:

The one thing you have to remember about this technique (and this is something that still trips me up from time to time, myself) is that when you export, it doesn’t automatically set the gif to loop forever. Instead, it’s set to “Once.” To fix that, when you click through “Export” > “Save to Web (Legacy)” and the Web window pops up, go to the bottom right corner and above the “Save” button there’s a drop down menu in the “Animation” section. Click there and switch from Once to Forever.

And there you have it! Start to finish, that’s how I make my HQ gif sets!

I know it seems like a ton of work for one lousy gif and super overwhelming at first and hard to remember, but once you get into the swing of things it all becomes very second nature.

So thanks for asking and thanks for reading. Hopefully this was helpful, please let me know if you got anything out of it.

And, of course, feel free to reach out with any other questions or requests. I’ll always try to do the best I can and answer. ♥

#gif tutorial #gif making #photoshop #photoshop tutorial #ds9 #tutorial #answer #gif making tutorial #hq gifs tutorial #maylovelies

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dracoslittleangel · 2 years

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I posted 1,480 times in 2022

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You should do like reader is very talkative and she talks to Draco a lot and Draco is just always quiet when she talks or just nods his head and stuff she thinks he doesn’t listen so she just stops talking to him and ignore him cause she thinks she aggravated him but she really didn’t and Draco really was listening so he talks to her and tells her he listens and literally just repeats everything she used to say to him like her favorite color, pets, things to eat and drink and just random things if it makes sense

Annoying

"Oh and what do you like the most for breakfast? Honestly, I love pancakes but they usually dont serve pancakes for breakfast here. Oh and do you like puppies or cats more? I think cats are cute but puppies are my personal favorite. Nevermind, I was gonna ask you what color should I buy my Yule Ball dress? I can get a green one if you'd like because you are in slytherin but blue is my house color but I really want to get a red one because it suits me. What do you think?", Y/N looked at Draco, only to see him busy reading his potions textbook.

She doubted he even heard a single word that came out of her mouth and she sighed. They were currently at the black lake, sitting against their favorite trees. They had been dating for about 6 months and they were both very happy.

Except, Y/N didn't think so. Everyone knew she was very talkative and could talk for hours about anything and everything. And everytime she ranted to Draco about her day or in general, she noticed that he only kept nodding at her words without looking at her or responding. She wondered if she was annoying him by talking too much.

She was about to ask him if he was even listening when someone called her name. It was Luna.

"Hey Y/N!"

"Hey Luna. You wanted something?", she smiled at her bestfriend.

"Oh yeah. I was wondering if you wanted to come with me to the library to study?", she asked in her dreamy voice.

"Of course.", she smiled.

She then turned to her boyfriend.

"Draco, I am gonna go with Luna. See you later?", she placed a kiss on his cheek but he only nodded, eyes still on the potions book.

Y/N sighed and got up. They both were about two steps apart from Draco when she heard him mutter a quiet "thank god" and her eyes widened and welled with tears.

So it was true then. She really was annoying him. Why didn't he straight away tell her? Then maybe he didn't want to hurt her feelings? She was lost in her own thoughts.

Luna obviously noticed this and asked her if she was fine, to which she responded with a weak "I am good."

That night, she couldn't sleep. Her thoughts kept wondering to that day's events. Maybe she really was annoying.

She had been told off a couple of times for talking too much. Be it her friends or parents, she had been called off for talking too much,due to which, she grew a bit insecure and stopped talking at a point. But when she met Draco, her habit of talking came back because Draco always listened to her, which she was very thankful for. But now, she doesn't think so anymore

So, she finally decided to talk less and stop ranting to Draco. If that would make him happy, she was willing to do so. Only if she knew what Draco really meant by that phrase of his....

For the next few days, she only gave short responses to Draco and went early to bed to avoid him because she knew she would not be able to stop herself if she were anywhere around him. She even cancelled plans to hangout saying she had to study.

Draco obviously noticed this change in behaviour and was not quite happy to say the least. He loved when she told him about her day and he found it adorable when she would rant about things.

He missed her to say the least. So, he approached her when he saw her sitting alone against their tree near the black lake.

"Hey, darling", he smiled while sitting down and pressing a kiss to her forehead in the process.

She weakly smiled back and just pecked him on the lips in return.

Draco sighed.

"Y/N, tell me what's wrong ,love.", he said while snatching the book she was reading from her hands.

She frowned and looked at him.

"Nothing is wrong, Draco."

"No, I know something is wrong. You haven't been yourself. You haven't been talking to me properly and you cancel plans when I ask you to hang out. Please tell me what's wrong.", he asked with pleading eyes.

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988 notes - Posted January 22, 2022

oKAY hmmm draco teasing you in class because you're doing some cute habit (i.e. sticking your tongue out while writing, or bouncing your knee)? i know that's not really specific aaa tell me if you want more detail lol

a/n: mwahahaha guess who's back👀 yessir! wi here, is back(probably) andddd I was gonna start with some angst but decided against it coz why not? anywayyy, hope you all like this, it's been so long since I last wrote🥺also, it's gonna be a headcanon.

y'all would be sitting in class waiting for Professor Sprout to show up. Draco is sitting beside you ofcourse.

Professor Sprout is going to take a test and let's just say herbology is not your best subject. You wait for her anxiously and start fidgeting with your hands.

draco notices this and takes a hold of your right hand and brings it up to his lips and places a chaste kiss on your knuckles, looking at you straight in the eye.

he then leans closer and whispers,"you will be alright, darling." you'd be blushing like hell by this point. even after about a year of dating, this boy makes you feel so many new things everyday.

you look down to hide the rose tint covering your face and he chuckles and kisses your cheek.

Professor Sprout eventually arrives and handovers the question parchments and you start writing.

when draco is finished with his test, he looks towards you to see you still writing. he almost chuckles when he sees your tongue dart out which draco has noticed happens when you're doing something with full concentration.

he doesn't disturb you at that time.

when you finish your test, you look at him and he darts his tongue out too as a way to tease you pout and look the other way to hide your smile.

"you look cute when you're concentrating",he whispers into your ear considering students are still writing the test.

"you,draco malfoy, are a flirt", you squint your eyes at him, trying your best to hide your blush.

"only for you", he winks at you and looks forward to see if Professor Sprout was looking before stealing a kiss on the lips, leaving you like a mess.

a/n: how was ittttttt. so long since I last wroteeee

tags: @slytherin-princess247 @thehalfbloodedwitch @siriusblackstwin @you-bloody-shank @sabbbyn @niktwazny303 @johannelis2302nely

1,002 notes - Posted September 1, 2022

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1,349 notes - Posted January 23, 2022

attention seeker

A/N: first of all, to the ones whose requests have been pending-I'm so sorry. I am having a tight schedule recently and I have my exams starting next week. I will try to complete all the requests this week but no promises, sorry again. secondly, sorry in advance if its bad coz I rarely write fluff so I may not be that good at it. warnings: nothing, just me writing fluff.

The door to Draco's private dorm burst open and in came Draco himself. He was all muddy, droplets of sweat prickling down his hair, face red and breathing uneven. This was normal as he just came back from his quidditch practice.

He looked towards his bed, where his beautiful girlfriend was sitting, her back against the headboard, knees to her chest and a book in her hands. A smile grew onto his face instantly. Y/N didn't have to look up from the book to know it was Draco. She heard his heavy yet graceful footsteps come up the stairs. "How was practice?", she smiled, eyes on the book in front of her. "It was fine.", Draco replied softly. She nodded while sparing him a quick glance and returned to her book. Meanwhile, Draco took his uniform off and got ready for a shower. "I am going to take a shower.", he announced in hopes that his girlfriend will ask him to join. "Okay", she replied while he rolled his eyes. "care to join?", he raised his eyebrows with a hopeful look on his face. "No thanks. I had one before coming here.", she said uninterested while Draco's face fell. "Fine", he sighed.

Draco came out in a t-shirt and sweatpants after sometime to see Y/N still reading the book. He was annoyed and he wanted attention but he would never verbally say that or even admit it to himself. "What are you reading, darling?", he walked towards her and placed a kiss on her head. " A book", she teased while Draco rolled his eyes. She knew what she was doing and also what he was trying to do. But, she wanted him to admit it himself. He walked towards the other side of the bed and sat there doing nothing. He looked towards Y/N who was totally absorbed in the book. He crawled towards her and sat directly beside her while placing a kiss on her temple. She didn't even bulge. He sighed and hid his face into the crook of her neck, kissing it softly. She still didn't seem to notice him. He sighed for what felt like the millionth time and started placing kisses up her jaw to get any sort of reaction from her. Nothing. Y/N on the other hand was enjoying this too much. This has obviously happened before but she usually took the clue and gave in. He was too hard to resist, especially when he was being such a cutie. But she wanted him to ask for it this time. It was becoming very hard for her to hide her smile so when Draco pushed her knees down and laid his head in her lap, she couldn't contain it. She put aside her book to look at him and chuckled when she saw him looking at her with a cheeky grin plastered on his face. "You are such an attention seeker, Draco.", she chuckled while running her hand through his hair whereas Draco's smile disappeared. He sat up from his position and pouted. "I am not an attention seeker!", he exclaimed with furrowed eyebrows while Y/N raised hers in amusement. "Oh really?", she teased but he wasn't having it. "Yes!" "Well, whatever sails your boat then.", she shrugged and picked up her book again while hiding her smirk. She knew Draco wouldn't be able to last long. Draco was not happy. Yes, he wanted attention but his pride wouldn't let him admit it. Or so he thought... He returned to his position on his side of the bed and laid down, staring at the ceiling. He took a glance at Y/N who was busy reading and sat back up ,back against the headboard and legs sprawled out, now staring at the wall. He yet again looked towards his girl who showed paid no attention, according to him. Y/N, however, was fully aware of what he was doing and smiled to herself. After a few minutes, Draco got up from the bed and towards his desk. Might as well complete his homework. He opened his books to see his work already done. Oh yeah, he completed his essays last night in order to spend time with Y/N. With an annoyed sigh, he closed his books and sat there on his chair, arms crossed and a pout on his pink lips. Y/N, who was watching all this couldn't help but let out a slight giggle which she tried to cover with a cough but was unsuccessful. Draco had already heard her and huffed. After a few more insufferable minutes, Draco got up from his chair and made his way towards Y/N. He then snatched her book and slammed it on her bedside table. Y/N looked at him in surprise. "Draco-", she let out a yelp when he rolled her over to the center of the bed. "Draco what-", she got cut off again, but this time it was by him crawling on top of her. He hid his face in her chest and his arms went around her waist. "I want attention.", his voice was muffled by the fabric of her top.Y/N's heart swelled at his soft tone of voice. Her hands instinctively went to his hair and he let out a sigh of relief. "Not so hard now, was it?", she teased but he just held her tighter. They remained in that position for some time before Draco lifted his head from her chest and looked at her with puppy eyes. "I am sorry if I irritate you sometimes.", he spoke with such softness. Y/N almost cried at how adorable he was being. "Draco Lucius Malfoy, you can never irritate me, especially when you are being such a softie.", she giggled while kissing his forehead. "I am not a softie!", he spoke firmly. She raised her eyebrows as if to say "really?". He groaned

and snuggled into her chest once again to try to hide the smile that grew on his face. She kissed his head and shook her head while chuckling. "I am so in love with you, Malfoy.", she whispered. A huge smile grew on Draco's face as he replied with- "I am so in love with you too, future Mrs. Malfoy.", she could hear the cheekiness in his voice but that didn't stop her cheeks from growing red. Draco briefly looked up at her and laughed softly at her blushing cheeks. She smiled at the sound of his laughter and looked down at the blonde in pure admiration until- "DRACO!", she gasped when she felt his very cold hands on the skin of her stomach as Draco's laughter echoed throughout the room.

They were so whipped.

tags: @ayeshaikram03 @hufflepuffbyotch @katebishopisaguybro

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1,439 notes - Posted February 9, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

cuddling for the first time with draco malfoy(hc)

a/n: this is my first headcanon :)

you and draco have been dating for about 3 weeks when he insists that you spend the night in his private dorm.

he didn't ask you to stay for the night earlier because he was quite shy as he hadn't done anything like this before.

he would give you his shirt(which is very lose on you) to wear for the night

at first, you both would be laying on your sides of the bed looking at each other.

he so badly wants to hold you but is very awkward and hesistant, afraid you would be uncomfortable.

after the staring contest, you would bid him goodnight and turn away from him, your back facing him.

"fuck it", he whispers under his breath.

you feel him moving closer to you.

you feel his fingers brush your back a few times before he wraps an arm around your waist from behind.

you both would be red by this point and you couldn't hide the smile that grazed your features.

he would bury his face in the crook of you neck and plant a kiss as soft as a feather there.

if you weren't red before, you are definitely a tomato now.

he slips his hand under your shirt and rests it on your stomach.

he feels your breath hitching and slightly smirks.

"is this okay?", he would whisper against your neck, afraid it might have gone too far.

when he hears your affirmative response, he feels his body relax and unconciously starts rubbing small circles on your skin, ones that could make you shiver.

you both fall asleep into a deep slumber, tangled with each other.

THIS WAS SO LONG IM SORRY !!!!!!

tags: @siriusblackstwin @hufflepuffbyotch

@ayeshaikram03 @johannelis2302nely @carnationbasement @pottahishotasf

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3,338 notes - Posted March 8, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

#tumblr2022 #year in review #my 2022 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review

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