Create unusual Photo manipulation small and invisible worlds and fascinating moments of life of small inhabitants of the forest! In this tutorial, you will learn how to work with adjustment layers and learn how to work with lighting, overlay of light and shadow and much more!

What you’ll be creating

We'll start with the lesson arrangement beetles and create lighting. Then create the darkness of which overlook the other inhabitants of the forest. Paying attention to the correct formulation of lighting and work with textures. At the end, add adjustment layers and special effects.
You’ll need any version of Photoshop, inspiration, good mood, turn on your favorite music and take a cup of tea :)

Tutorial Resources

• Snow – rawrpotato
• Time – inferno-sensus
• Bugs – mariasemelevich
• Beetle bug - kayne-stock
• Cicada Wings - serp-stock

Step 1

Before you start, download all the material in one place. So it will be easier to work with them. Open Photoshop and start by creating! Create a new document. Go to File > New or the short key Cmd /Ctrl+ N. A blank document with size of 3000 pixels wide and 2000 pixels high. I named the document “Moment”.

Step 2

Now I have added a picture of the clock. Go to File > Place and select the image of the clock. This will be our main atmosphere. I loved this photo of his uniqueness and contrast.

Step 3

After addition of the landscape with clock, transform it, to fit the document. When you put the picture it automatically in the transformation. But if not, transform the landscape, press Cmd /Ctrl+ T or go to Edit > Transform > Scale or to Edit > Free Transform. Pull the black cubes in the corners formed frame.

Step 4

Now let's start creating our main landscape. Create a new group by clicking on the icon of the group in the Layers palette and name it "bugs".

Step 5

Open the image beetles. Go to File > Open or the short key Cmd /Ctrl+ O and select image with beetles.

Step 6

Select the Quick Selection Tool (W).

Now select the mantis. Keep mantis legs be selected and that have not been put into the selection parts of the other insects.

Step 7

Select the Move Tool (V). Grab the selection and drag it into the document.

Step 8

Repeat the same (steps 6-7) with the other insects. All the insects must be in one group “Bugs”. Ignore the mask layers in my file. I have done for you especially ready-insects. You can use other insects, or change the location of these, because creating photo manipulation completely creative process.

Step 9

Now you need to remove some caterpillars for realism. Caterpillar looks out of the backside of the stone. So add a layer mask to the layer with caterpillar. Go to the Layers panel. Select the layer with a caterpillar and click on the Layer mask icon.

Step 10

Select the Brush Tool (B) on the toolbar. Set it to the following settings: Size: 50px. Hardness: 100% Opacity: 100% flow: 100%. Be sure to set the background color (the color that you will work) to black by pressing D on keyboard.

Now remove the lower part of the caterpillar as shown in Figure.

Step 11

Now create shadows from insects. To do this, create a new layer the short key Cmd /Ctrl +Shift + N or click on icon New Layer on Layer panel.

Step 12

Now we need to add shadow of all the insects besides mantis and caterpillar. To do this, hold on Ctrl+ Shift and click on each layer with insect. When you click with Ctrl you select an object. If we add the hold Shift then new object selection added to the previous selection.

Step 13

Click on the created new layer. Select the Paint Bucket Tool (G) on the toolbar. Be sure to set the background color (the color that you will work) to black by pressing D on keyboard.

Step 14

Fill selection bugs. With this select not worry spoil the whole picture because the brush will work only in the selected area. To deselect, click Ctrl+ D. Place the shadow layer below the group of insects. Now using the Move Tool (V) lower, the shade down a bit just grabbed it anywhere.

Step 15

Select the Brush Tool (B) on the toolbar. Set it to the following settings: Size: 80px. Hardness: 0% Opacity: 40% flow: 100%. Be sure to set the background color (the color that you will work) to black by pressing D on keyboard.

Draw a shadow around the clock. We therefore emphasize the importance of the element picture.

Paint some shadows under mantis. Shadows will be more near the wings and little outside of the trunk and legs. Draw the shade and near a caterpillar. Just a little.

Step 16

Select the Ereser Tool (E) and remove part shade with dragonfly wings, as shown in Figure.

Step 17

Now blur the shadow so that it looked realistic. Go to Filter> Blur > Gaussian Blur… and set the settings: Radius: 6.0 px.

Step 18

That's it. Constructible with shadow, start working on insects, and more specifically to its appearance. First, add an adjustment layer to a group of insects and make them not so bright that they harmoniously. Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Levels… or click on icon New Adjustment Layer and in list, select Levels…

We need to make light shades darker, so move the white marker to the left or set the output levels value to: left (dark): 0, right (white): 198.

Step 19

Here's how it happened. Note that the adjustment layer affects only the group “Bugs”. If you do not like the picture, then select the adjustment layer, hold Alt and click on group “Bugs”. On the adjustment layer should appear an arrow pointing down.

Step 20

Now we need to apply the right amount of light on insects. To do this, create a new layer by clicking Cmd/Ctrl+ Shift+ N and set the settings as show in Figure.

Note that this layer must be above all others.

Step 21

Now use Dodge Tool (O) for make light and Burn Tool (O) for shadow.

Set the following settings.

Draw, in accordance with natural light, light and are darkened space insects. Light goes from caterpillar. So all the insects on the left side more lighted, on the right is darker. Here's how I did this shadow.

Set the Opacity to this layer to 50%.

Step 22

That’s result after drawing of light and shadow.

Step 23

Now wanted to create the effect of mystery and curiosity. For this, I made ??the circuit of insects peeking out of the shadows. First, create a new layer, clicking on layer icon in Layer panel.

Select the Brush Tool (B) on the toolbar. Set it to the following settings: Size: 700px. Hardness: 0% Opacity: 100% flow: 100%. Use black color (D).

Draw the dark, as shown in the figure. Be sure to draw the edges of the image, but do not touch the top of the image.

Step 24

Now add a layer mask to this layer.

Set the following settings for the Brush Tool.

Set black color main (D), select the layer mask and remove the darkness, as shown in Figure.

Step 25

Now we need to make the shadows of insects. Go to the group “Bugs”, then click on the cicada, spider and blue beetle with the Ctrl key held, and duplicate them (the short key Cmd /Ctrl+ J). Then, combine them into a group (the short key Cmd /Ctrl+ G) and drag the group under the darkness.

Duplicate the layer with the cicada 1 times.

Step 26

Now place the insects as shown in Figure. Second blue beetle (left) reflected horizontally for do this, go to Edit> Transform> Flip Horizontal

Second blue beetle (left) reflected horizontally for this go to Edit> Transform> Flip Horizontal.

Step 27

Now add the beetle with jaws. Open picture with beetle the short key Cmd /Ctrl+ O or go to File > Open.

Step 28

Select the Quick Selection Tool (W) . Select all the white background and inscription below photo.

In this case, we are not very important kind of beetle, but important path. In the future, we repaint it.

Step 29

Invert the selection the short key Cmd /Ctrl+ Shift+ I or go to Select> Inverse.

Using the Move Tool (V) and move beetle into tab with our photo manipulation.

Step 30

Reduce the size of the beetle the short key Cmd /Ctrl+ T or go to Edit> Transform> Scale.

Duplicate (the short key Cmd /Ctrl+ J) and place both beetles as shown in Figure.

Step 31

Add wings to our work. Open picture with wings (the short key Cmd /Ctrl+ O or go to File > Open).

Step 32

Select the Quick Selection Tool (W) . Select wing and using the Move Tool (V) and move it into tab with our photo manipulation.

Step 33

Repeat the previous step with steel right wing. Now, place them as shown in Figure. To Flip Horizontal wings, go to Edit> Transform> Flip Horizontal.

Step 34

Now we need to paint over all the elements of this group, so they were like shadows. Add an adjustment layer to a group. Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Gradient Map… or click on icon New Adjustment Layer and in list, select Gradient Map…

Step 35

In the window that appears, click on the gradient and gradient settings window appears. Set the color of the left marker #121012 and the right marker #030303. Do not forget to set the application of the adjustment layer only to the group.

Step 36

Set the opacity of the adjustment layer to 90%

Step 37

That's how I came up. Shadows get a little visible and I liked it. Only hint at present there are insects.

Step 38

The next part of our work is to add a sweet texture. This work is very refresh, give it magical, and ease. Place picture of snow texture. Go to File > Place and select file with snow texture.

Step 39

Transform the texture so that it covers the whole picture. Do not stretch much texture. I frame when transforming quite a bit beyond the work area.

Step 40

Duplicate texture (the short key Cmd /Ctrl+ J) 2 times. Select all three layers of texture (hold Ctrl and click on each layer) to join them in the one group.

Step 41

Now I purposely hidden layers with a texture that you can monitor changes and was more clear with what we are working layer. We will change each texture layer, starting with the lowest texture layer. Lower the lowermost layer with a texture as shown in Figure (use Move Tool (V)).

Step 42

Then change the blending mode for it. Go to the Layers palette and go to Blending Modes. Select in list “Screen”.

Set the opacity of the layer to 30%.

Step 43

Now you need to change the texture so that it was not monotonous. Flip Vertical, go to Edit> Transform> Flip Vertical.

Step 44

Add a layer mask to this layer with texture. Click on the layer mask icon in the Layers panel.

Select the Brush Tool (B) on the toolbar. Set it to the following settings: Size: 150px. Hardness: 0% Opacity: 60% flow: 100%. Be sure to set the background color (the color that you will work) to black by pressing D on keyboard.

Remove line texture. Make a smooth transition.

Step 45

Now we proceed to the second layer. Set the opacity of the layer to 35%. Then change the blending mode for it. Go to the Layers palette and go to Blending Modes. Select in list “Soft Light”.

Step 46

Now the last layer! Set the opacity of the layer to 20%. Then change the blending mode for it. Go to the Layers palette and go to Blending Modes. Select in list “Soft Light”.

Step 47

To our texture looked realistically need to remove some parts of it. Do not need to on a black vignette was too much texture. Add a mask to the group with the texture.

Step 48

Select the Brush Tool (B) on the toolbar. Set it to the following settings: Size: 200px. Hardness: 0% Opacity: 40% flow: 100%. Be sure to set the background color (the color that you will work) to black by pressing D on keyboard.

And get with a dark vignette partially texture. No need to clean up everything, just some of the places do not stand out so.

Step 49

Now change the texture contrast to make the background invisible, and circles a precise bright. Add an adjustment layer to a group. Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Brightness/Contrast… or click on icon New Adjustment Layer and in list, select Brightness/Contras. In window that appears, set the following settings: Brightness: 63, Contrast 100.

Step 50

Now I want to make the color deeper texture with blue tint. I believed that in the picture lacking blue tones. Next adjustment layer is Color Balance... Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Color Balance... or click on icon New Adjustment Layer and in list, select Color Balance...

Step 51

Now I want to make the color deeper texture with blue tint. I believed that in the picture lacking blue tones. In the window that appears, select the settings for Shadows, Highlight and Midtones as shown in Figure.

Step 52

Here's a get results after applying adjustment layers.

Step 53

Now we need make more light on insects. To do this, create a new layer by clicking Cmd/Ctrl+ Shift+ N and set the settings as show in Figure.

Now use Dodge Tool (O) for make light and Burn Tool (O) for shadow. More subtle elaboration of light and shadow. I'll focus on the caterpillar and beetle blue in foreground.

Step 54

I want to make the image bluer further to make the transition shades. So add another adjustment layer. Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves... or click on icon New Adjustment Layer and in list, select Curves...

Step 55

To help us make the colors bluer need to put the point the blue channel in the middle of the curve and move it slightly upwards. To make softer shade of blue, go to the red channel. A dot on the middle of the curve and move it quite a bit to the right and down.

Note that this layer applied to the whole document!

Step 56

Now we change our background color. It seemed to me that a shortage of work more vivid and mysterious colors, which are in the woods. So, I corrected the background with help of curves.  So, add adjustment layer to background layer. Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves... or click on icon New Adjustment Layer and in list, select Curves...

Step 57

Now in the window that appears, click the blue channel and the upper point lower so that it almost touched the midline. Then there are bright colors blue gray, we do, because the middle curve is the midtones.

Do not apply this adjustment layer to the background.

Step 58

Select the Brush Tool (B) on the toolbar. Set it to the following settings: Size: 200px. Hardness: 0% Opacity: 70% flow: 100%. Be sure to set the background color (the color that you will work) to black by pressing D on keyboard.

Remove some of the adjustment layer with stones, watches (image center) draws a black mask on the adjustment layer.

Step 59

Next adjustment layer is Hue/Saturation... Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation... or click on icon New Adjustment Layer and in list, select Hue/Saturation...

Step 60

Need to make the colors more vivid and contrast. Set the following settings: Hue: +20, Saturation: +12, Lightness: +2.

Step 61

Place this layer under the curve. Hold down Alt, click on the background layer to apply an adjustment layer to the background.

Step 62

Select the Brush Tool (B) on the toolbar. Set it to the following settings: Size: 200px. Hardness: 0% Opacity: 70% flow: 100%. Be sure to set the background color (the color that you will work) to black by pressing D on keyboard.

Now remove the effect of the adjustment layer on the layer mask, as shown in the figure.

Step 63

I decided that the blurred edges of the image will not distract the viewer and focus on the main idea. Getting to the final effect! So, first select all the layers except the white background that we created at the beginning (I deleted it) and duplicate them (the short key Cmd /Ctrl+ J)

Step 64

Now you want to merge the selected layers into one. Press the short key Cmd /Ctrl+ E or go to the Layers palette. The upper right corner is an icon setting. Click on it and the drop-down list select Merge Layers.

This layer must be above all others.

Step 65

Now blur this layer. Go to Filter> Blur> Gaussian Blur…

Step 66

In the window that appears, set the following settings: Radius: 6.0px.

Step 67

Now add a layer mask to this layer clicking on the layer mask icon in the Layers panel.

Select the Brush Tool (B) on the toolbar. Set it to the following settings: Size: 200px. Hardness: 0% Opacity: 70% flow: 100%. Be sure to set the background color (the color that you will work) to black by pressing D on keyboard.

Step 68

Remove the blurred image of the center, beetles and started the dark shadow. Should left on the edges of the image blurring, mantis and dragonfly wings, in the dark corners in the background.

Step 69

Little supplement the lesson. You can use it if you want. I clock the original image in black and white. It is not immediately noticeable, but still I decided to add this step. Do it if you want. Create a new layer and place it as shown in Figure.

Step 70

Select the Brush Tool (B) on the toolbar. Set it to the following settings: Size: 200px. Hardness: 0% Opacity: 100% flow: 100%. Set the white color # ffffff.

Step 71

Put a white spot on the clock.

Now change the blending mode for this layer to “Color”.

Step 72

That is completely ready to work with all layers. Look at the location of the layers and check if everything is in place. I hope you enjoyed my tutorial and you had a good time! Remember, you - the artist and can make your choice! Go ahead and good luck!

Final Results

Download the PSD

Bugs.zip

Tutorial by Maria Semelevich.