This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.
00:00:00 – 00:16:11
The video focuses on the significance of creating high-quality YouTube thumbnails to boost views, emphasizing using Adobe Photoshop for this task. The creator provides a comprehensive tutorial covering various techniques to enhance thumbnail appeal, including using customizable templates, editing backgrounds, adding text, applying visual effects, and performing color corrections. Important steps include isolating subjects, scaling, adding and styling text, creating glow effects, incorporating particle effects, and adjusting overall color settings for professional results. The tutorial also highlights the availability of pre-made templates offering both time-saving and professional outcomes for creators.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, the creator emphasizes the importance of thumbnails in boosting YouTube views and promises to teach viewers how to create high-quality, unique thumbnails step by step. They introduce the necessity of using Photoshop for this task and mention that they have created seven customizable thumbnail templates available for download. These templates can save time and ensure professional results. The tutorial begins with the basic steps of using Photoshop: creating a new project with specific settings, taking a screenshot for the thumbnail, using the quick selection tool to isolate the subject, refining the selection, and applying a mask. The creator also explains how to scale objects and suggests sourcing background images from Google.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the presenter demonstrates how to edit a photo background and add text using various tools. Key actions include moving the background layer under the photo layer, converting the background to a smart object, and applying Gaussian blur with a radius of 2. To make the photo stand out, the presenter lowers the background exposure. Then, text is added using the horizontal type tool, scaled properly using control (or command) T, and resized by dragging the mouse. The font is changed by selecting from available options, and multiple text layers are duplicated using the option (or alt) key. The text is edited to read “how to make YouTube thumbnails,” resized, aligned, and colorized using color overlay with specific colors and settings. Further enhancement includes applying bevel and emboss effects and adjusting opacity, angle, and depth settings before adding a drop shadow.
00:06:00
In this segment, the video demonstrates how to apply various visual effects to a thumbnail. The presenter first adjusts blend modes, angles, and colors, then copies these settings to other layers by using shortcuts (holding ‘alt’ or ‘option’ and dragging). The video also covers editing white tags, tweaking the bevel and emboss settings, adding and adjusting drop shadows, and arranging text layers. Further, the presenter utilizes the brush tool to create lighting effects, adjusting size and hardness, and using ‘hard light’ blend mode. They also show how to create a glowing effect by applying and copying outer glow settings to multiple thumbnails.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, the creator explains how to make a glow effect around an object using a photo editing program. The process begins by creating a new layer and using the paint bucket tool to fill it with black. Another new layer is created and connected to the black layer using the Alt or Option key. A gradient map is then added, and its colors are adjusted to various shades of blue. The black layer’s blend mode is changed to “Screen.”
Next, a white brush is used to paint the glow effect over the edges of the object in the photo, which is placed under the layer with the glow effect. The brush’s size is adjusted to 25 pixels, and the glow is painted around the photo’s edges. To enhance the effect, the brush tool, smudge tool, and eraser tool are mixed and their sizes adjusted to create a unique style. The process is sped up for viewers to see how the glow effect is applied, including a smaller glow on the face and additional glows on clothes.
00:12:00
In this segment, the focus is on enhancing a thumbnail with a glow effect, color correction, and additional effects like particles. The speaker explains how to find and add particle effects by downloading them online and incorporating them into the project. They demonstrate placing the particles under the main photo and changing their color using the hue and saturation settings. Motion blur is added to the particles by converting them to a smart object and applying a Gaussian blur with a specified radius. A detailed color correction process is then applied to the photo using the Camera Raw filter, adjusting sharpening, noise reduction, texture, clarity, vibrance, and saturation. Finally, an overall color correction is conducted across all layers for a professional look, using a combination of shortcut keys and smart objects to fine-tune the texture, clarity, sharpening, and noise reduction.
00:15:00
In this part of the video, the creator discusses enhancing thumbnails using color correction techniques in Photoshop. They suggest adjusting the color mixer, adding saturation to certain colors like oranges, and tweaking contrast. The creator emphasizes that color correction will vary based on different cameras and individual preferences. They also mention pre-made customizable thumbnail templates that can save time, which are available via a link in the description.