Create a Sci-Fi Chamber Photo Manipulation in Photoshop

Learn how to create a sci-fi photo manipulation of a mysterious chamber with amazing light flares and a great entrance with Photoshop. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to construct your own chamber with textures, place a model in front of the entrance and then complete it by adding realistic shadows and lighting effects Throughout the tutorial, you'll learn techniques that will help you create better photo manipulations.

What you'll be creating

On this tutorial we will create a sci-fi scene of a mysterious chamber with flares and an astonishing great entrance. We will use some essential techniques in doing photo manipulation. We will use masking, brush tool, some filter, color adjustments, and textures all through the steps in this tutorial. Use Adobe Photoshop CS3 or higher, don’t forget a glass of coffee and optionally a pack of cigarette for your companion. Ready..?

Tutorial Resources

Texture - cgtexture
Model - Pixabay
Brick Floor 04 - camarogirl666
Passage in Duinos Castle I - brunilde stock

Step 1

Let’s start by creating a new document (Ctrl+N) in photoshop with size shown in the screenshot below:

Then, proceed to create the first new layer on the document (Shift+Ctrl+N). On the new layer pop-up window, name this layer "solid color". While we are being active on the solid color layer, hit Shift+F5 to fill this layer with color. Choose light brown (#6a5c45)

Step 2

Create a new layer (Shift+Ctrl+N) above the solid color layer. Take the pen tool (P). With this tool, create a square path as the one highlighted in orange color.

After creating the path, right-click on the document to show the path option window. Choose Fill Path. Then, fill it with a solid color of any color we prefer or we can fill it with a given color of #312f29 as shown in the screenshot. Finally, delete the path. Name this new layer right.

Step 3

On another new layer (Shift+Ctrl+N), create another color-filled square path. Take a look at the screenshot below for our reference. Name this new layer left.

In the same way, create the other two color-filled square paths on two different new layers.

So we have four color-filled squares. The first and second are right and left. Let’s name the third middle foreground and the fourth left foreground. The four squares are supposed to be walls of a chamber.

Step 4

Now we will add a floor for the chamber. Open the brick floor image in the document. Make sure to place this floor layer between the four wall layers and the solid color layer in the layer panel. Take the move tool (V). Move the floor image to the position where needed.

Finally, change this floor layer to soft light blending at 100% opacity.

Step 5

Next, we will give a brick texture to the four walls. We do this for the right wall first. Open the brick texture. Position this texture layer above the right layer in the layer panel. Activate the free transform tool (Ctrl+T). We will alter the position and perspective of this texture to fit the right wall. Right-click on the document to show transform option. Firstly, rotate the image 90 CCW, then flip it vertically.

Finally, change the perspective of this image by hold-click and drag down the right corner transforming point.

After getting the desired position, give this texture layer a clipping mask (Alt+Ctrl+G)

Step 6

Do the same ways to add textures to the other walls.

Step 7

Now we will clean up the solid color behind the edges of the right and left walls To do this purpose, we will give the mentioned part some masking. Go select the solid color layer created in previous step 1 to be active on it. Go to layer > layer mask > reveal all. Take the brush tool (B), choose a soft round brush. With black color, stroke the brush on the mentioned part as indicated in red highlight:

14 comments on “Create a Sci-Fi Chamber Photo Manipulation in Photoshop”

Emilio says:

June 17, 2021 at 7:17 pm

Excelente tutorial ....gracias

Linda A Perdue says:

May 26, 2020 at 5:18 pm

Little lost on step 18 - what layer is the masking suppose to be done on?

1. Photoshop Tutorials Staff says:
  
  May 26, 2020 at 7:36 pm
  
  I believe on the brightness/contrast layer. You can double-check this in the PSD file at the end of the tutorial
Linda A Perdue says:

May 26, 2020 at 5:11 pm

Thanks for providing the new link. I don't see any information on how to create the shadow for the person and I know this is something that I need to learn. Do you have any info on that?

1. Photoshop Tutorials Staff says:
  
  May 26, 2020 at 7:37 pm
  
  Try using the Brush tool and manually painting the shadow on a new layer.
Linda Perdue says:

May 25, 2020 at 4:48 pm

The link for the 'texture' doesn't appear to be valid anymore.

1. Photoshop Tutorials Staff says:
  
  May 25, 2020 at 4:50 pm
  
  Thanks for letting us know! The link has been fixed. Here's the new link: https://www.textures.com/download/brickmedievalblocks0059/7301
SEBASTIEN says:

April 7, 2018 at 10:19 am

Very good tuto even for a beginner like me, many thanks.

Dan says:

February 20, 2017 at 11:50 am

Thanks so much for this - great tutorial - shame about not explaining the girls shadow BUT I managed to do it. It looks like you just drew one in, but what I did was copy the girl to a new layer and manipulate it and set it to overlay and got a good shadow from this.

Vector Designs says:

October 2, 2016 at 12:30 pm

I always love anything like this

Vector Designs says:

October 2, 2016 at 12:30 pm

Absolutely love everything like this

Colin says:

May 18, 2016 at 7:14 am

This is cool!

Amon says:

March 7, 2016 at 4:27 am

Nice one

susan says:

February 1, 2016 at 1:42 pm

Very nice composite but forgot to show how to make a shadow for the little girl. Just a thought.