STEPS FOR USING THE VIEWFINDER TOOL

Tips for Effective Use

  • LOAD AN IMAGE TO THE VIEWFINDER: Click on the Load Your Image button, it will take you to the computer’s image folder. Select the image that you would like to use and click Open to load it to the Viewfinder Tool.
  • ADJUSTING THE IMAGE TO THE VIEWPORT: There are three ways to adjust your image to the larger frame (viewport): 1.- Manipulate the Zoom slider on the right panel to zoom in and out of your image to make it fit in the larger frame, or 2.- Zoom in and out with your mouse, and 3.- Move the image around with your mouse.
  • ADJUSTING THE RULE OF THIRDS VIEWFINDER: Pull or push on the corners of the Rule of Thirds Viewfinder to adjust it to the proportion of your canvas (square, rectangular, portrait, or landscape) and making it the best size for your composition.
  • ADJUSTING THE VIEWFINDER COLOR GRID: The color of the viewfinder grid can be changed by clicking on the Grid Color blue bar and selecting a color from the color picker.
  • IMAGE BRIGHTNESS: Control the overall image brightness with the Brightness slider.
  • MASK OPACITY: For a better view of the viewfinder image, use the Mask Opacity slider to darken the frame around the image. The darker frame will help in concentrating on details within the Viewfinder.
  • FRAME THE COMPOSITION: Drag the Viewfinder with the built in Rule of Thirds around the image to get rid of superfluous details, and select the best composition. Make the viewfinder bigger or smaller by dragging on its corners
  • OBSERVE NEGATIVE SPACE: Pay attention to the space around your subject. This helps in understanding the composition better.
  • SAVE A COPY OF YOUR COMPOSITION: Once you are satisfied with your Viewfinder composition, click on Save Composition to save the composed image to your computer’s Download Folder.
  • DRAW WHAT YOU SEE: Find in the Download Folder your viewfinder’s generated image to guide your drawing or painting.

Sample Viewfinder Composed Images

Tips for Effective Use

  • EXPERIMENT WITH SHAPES: You can manipulate the viewfinder frame in different square or rectangular shapes in the proportions to suit your canvas.
  • PRACTICE REGULARLY: The more you use a viewfinder, the better you will become at using it and significantly enhance your artistic process by helping you focus on what truly matters in your composition.