Question about some forum signatures I've seen in various places

[DangerousLlama]

I've seen a lot of forum signatures with a weird kind of filter on them. Makes the image look a lot more colorful. Any idea how this effect is achieved?

I hope that the person whose sig this is doesn't mind me using it in this post (message me if you do and I'll remove it, I stole it from the Marvin the Paranoid android fella i've seen around here)...

 but here is an example of what I'm talking about. Also one belonging to a friend of mine who has been away for quite some time. I use Photoshop CS4, if there's any way I could get this kind of effect it would be class, cheers. If I'm being way too vague/stupid then go ahead and tell me.

 

[s3my0n]

I think it has to do with contrast settings and also brightness. Play around with them with your layers.

[lucid]

I stole it from the Marvin the Paranoid android fella i've seen around here

Lol that's techb. He's one of the gmods. I'm sure he doesn't mind. He go that signature from someone who was active for a short time. That guy made a few signatures for people. He hasn't been active in a while and I know nothing about graphics design.

[hanorotu]

I could make you one like mine with your websites and colors etc

[DangerousLlama]

I could make you one like mine with your websites and colors etc

Thanks for the offer mate but it's funner to do things yourself. Even if I botch it at least I learn    I'm messing around with the contrast stuff now.

[hanorotu]

Oh ok, cool.

[techb]

Yeah I lucked out on mine, one of the perks of spreading love I guess. It was from a guy that doesn't come here anymore. I would say some kind of "sharpining" or RGB light enhancing type thing with a touch of sophia.

I'm not a computer graphics guy though so IDK. I don't mind you posting my Sig here on this site. But if it ventures to a graphic arts forum (hint hint, they will know how its done) all I ask is my name and/or blog is mentioned.

[Carbon]

If you want that effect simply use a photo filter, also mess around with the (Levels,Curves, and Contrast) You may even want to make your own lighting. (Ex: A large white circle brush painted on the top of the image-> on soft light -> opacity depends on the darkness of your image.)