Create a Sci-Fi Chamber Photo Manipulation in Photoshop

Here is the result after masking. The masked part is supposed to be the entrance of the chamber.

Step 8

Now we will add some cloud texture behind the entrance. Create a new layer again (Shift+Ctrl+N) below the solid color layer. Go to filter > render > cloud to create cloud texture.

Then give this cloud another filter, surface blur to smooth the texture. Go again to filter > blur > surface blur.

Duplicate (Ctrl+J) this cloud layer on time. Set this duplicate to exclusion blending at 100% opacity.

This cloud texture will be not entirely seen because its position is below the solid color layer. It is just visible in the masked part of the solid color.

Step 9

Now we will add another object to the scene. Open the stock image in photoshop. Take the pen tool (P) to cut out the iron handle from the image.

Add the cut out to the main scene.

Step 10

Now we will add light coming from the right side behind the right wall shining through the entrance. To do this, create another new layer (Shift+Ctrl+N) above the two cloud layers. Take the brush tool (B) use the settings in the image below.

With white color, stroke the brush repeatedly from the top right side of the entrance down to the bottom.

Step 11

Referring to the light source, there should be some light cast on the left wall. So we will give some highlights to it. Go select again the left layer. Create a new layer with a clipping mask above it. Take a very soft round brush (0% hardness) set at a very low opacity of about 10-15%. On this layer, paint soft white to add some highlight on the left wall.

Step 12

Proceed to give the whole scene color adjustment layer. Firstly, go to layer > new adjustment layers > brightness/contrast. Make sure to position this adjustment layer above the other layers. Set this layer to normal blending at 100% opacity

Give the second adjustment layer: color balance. Position this layer above the brightness/contrast layer set to normal at 100% opacity.

Select the two adjustment layers. Hit Ctrl+ G to group them in a folder. Name this folder adjustment. Go to layer > layer mask > reveal all to give this folder a layer mask. Mask areas around the entrance.

Step 13

Now we will give some shadow and highlight to the walls. We start to this on the right wall. Select the layer again and create another new layer with a clipping mask above the brick texture. Take a very soft round brush ( 0% hardness) set to about 10% opacity. With the combination color of black and white, paint the shadow and highlight where needed.

Do the same way to add some shadow and highlight to the other walls.

Step 14

Next, create a new layer again (Shift+Ctrl+N) above the adjustment folder. On this new layer we will add more shade and highlight to the overall scene. Take the brush tool again (B). Paint soft combination of black and white to areas where needed. Here is one for your reference - set in white background.

Referring to the given color, here is the result set to normal at 100% blending.

And this is the result set to normal at about 75% opacity.

Step 15

In this step, we will still add some more shade on the area around foreground walls and floor. Create another new layer (Shift+Ctrl+N) above the previous shade layer. Take the gradient tool. Set foreground color to black. Choose a linear gradient set to above 10-15% opacity. Click-hold and drag the tool from the lower bottom upward as indicated by the orange arrow.

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.