photoshop tutorial how to create a fantasy photo manipulation
TRANSCRIPT
How to Create a Fantasy PhotoManipulation
Step 1The first step is to choose the right pictures for your work. I chose just three stock images to keep it simple:Background, Tree, and you can look at through the following site for a suitable image of a Model.
Step 2The second step is to create a proper background. Use your imagination; don’t just use the backgroundpicture ast is. Click on the background layer and then Command + J to duplicate it. Next flip the backgroundyou just duplicated Edit > Transform > Flip Horizontal, and then overlap them covering just a bit of thepicture with the other.
Step 3Now Command-click on both layers and then press Command + E to merge them together. It looks strange,like in a mirror, but by using a brush and a clone stamp it will look quite natural. Select the Clone Stamp Tool
(S) and start cloning the trees and the grass until it looks natural, use the Brush Tool (B) and paint with blackat the trees roots. Then crop it so it won’t look symmetrical.
Step 4Next you need to add some clouds. You will create these clouds using a cloud brush; also you need to makethe clouds yellow. Yellow and orange clouds look good in a fantasy picture, and here are some Free CloudBrushes.
Step 5Next you need to add some birds on the sky. Again create the birds using brushes.
Step 6For this step you will add a moon or maybe you will add two, after all this is a fantasy illustration.
Step 7Last element you need to add is a tree in the right side of the composition. We do this just to get rid of thesymmetry. Look for a tree that matches your background.
Step 8You have just finished with the background. Now you need to work on your model. Use the Pen Tool (P) andcut out the model, then place it into a single layer called "model."
Step 9Every fairy has long hair, right? Just use the Lasso Tool (L) and cut out her hair. Make the selection and thenpress Command + J to copy it to another layer.
Step 10Next you need to move the part of the hair you just created lower then the "model" layer and using theSmudge Tool (R) and Transform Tool (T) you need to make the piece of hair look like it belongs there. Thefinal result might not look great, but we will go back to the hair later.
Step 11Now you need to create some shadows and lights on her skin. Go to Create a new fill or adjustment layer andselect Curves. Use my settings or just make the skin look darker.
Fill the layer mask with black. Next, pick a basic brush and with white draw on the layer mask over all thedarker areas of the models skin. Make sure to use a 0% Hardness for the brush, also you can use a lowerOpacity for the brush. This will help you build the effect gradually.
Step 12Repeat Step 11, but this time you need to use different settings for the curves. Also, when you draw over themask this time draw over the lighter parts on the model’s skin.
Step 13You are almost done with the model. You just need to create a bit of makeup and make the fairy look better.Create a new layer, pick a basic brush with smooth edges, use a black color and start drawing just a bit aboveher eyes. When you have finished set the Opacity to 60% or 70%.
Step 14So far so good. You have finished preparing the model, now move it into your document.
Step 15
them later if necessary.
Next you need to add the wings. The wings I used are free brushes you can find anywhere.I will make the wings yellow, same as the sky and place them each in different layers to move
Step 16Back to the hair. Chose the Smudge Tool (R) and set the Mode to normal, strength to 100, use a basic brushwith smooth edges and Diameter of 1px or 2px. Now start smudging the edges of her hair so the model willlook like she belongs in the background.
Step 17Next you need to bring in the tree. Before you do this you need to remove the background. The tree can becut using the Pen Tool (P), but at some point you will need to use the Quick Selection Tool (W). It does nothave to be perfect, for the moment we can use it as it is.
When you are finished cutting you need to use the Smudge Tool (R) again and smudge the edges of the tree.Finally, move the tree on the document you are working.
Step 18In this step we will create a flower in her hair. Make a new layer and chose the Brush Tool (B). Start drawingthe flower like the one in the image. Use these for the colors #989ba2 and #a58532 and then start addingsome shadows and highlights, just like you did with her skin. The flower does not need to be perfect as it willnot be very visible.
Step 19Place the flower over her hair. Also, using the brush you need to make create some hair and place it over theflower.
Step 20Next you need to use the Smudge Tool (R) on the grass. Now it is visible that the model has been cut andplaced on this background so to hide this we need to create some grass over her dress.
Step 21Now you need to change the colors a bit for the atmosphere. Go to Create New Adjustment Layers, choseGradient Map and make the settings as in the image below.
Step 22Now set the Opacity to 60%. Go to the layer mask, pick a basic brush with Hardness set to 0, set the Opacityof the brush to 40%, pick the black color and paint all the grass. The result should look like the image below.
Step 23Go to Create New Adjustment Layer again and chose Photo Filter. Chose #ec8a00 for the color and 25% forDensity, also make sure the Preserve Luminosity is checked. The difference is not very visible but there isone.
Step 24Next go to the Create new adjustment layer and chose Curves, make the settings as in the image. Then pick abrush with smooth edges and paint the layer mask as shown, so the curves won’t be visible in the middle.
Step 25Go to Create New Adjustment Layer and pick Curves again, then make the settings as shown below. Nowpick the same brush, and paint with black on the mask, as you see in the small image. This will give a niceeffect to the moon and it will look like it is shining on the girl.
Step 26Apply another Photo Filter as you did in step 23.
Step 27Now apply another gradient map. Make the settings as shown, and set the Opacity of the layer to 30%.
Step 28Next you need to press Command + A to select the entire work, then go to Edit > Copy Merged. Now thatyou have made a copy, go to Edit > Paste. This will paste the entire work you have done so far into a singlelayer with all the effects merged.
Step 29With the new layer selected you need to go to Filter > Render > Lens Flare. Position the lens as I did. It mustlook like the girl is looking at it. After you position it you must create a mask for the layer and try to mask theentire image except the middle part of the flare.
Step 30Now we’ll add a dreamy effect. Go to the adjustment layers and select Channel Mixer, then set the Channelto Blue. Next, set each as I did: Red at +7, Green at -13, and Blue at +94.
Go to Create New Adjustment Layer and go to Hue/Saturation and set the Lightness to -22 and press OK.Next, using a black to transparent Radial Gradient (G), make a black spot in the middle of the layer mask.
ConclusionIn the end you can apply more blur and lights on the sky and girl. You can view the final image below.
By Azmir Othman