Create an Eerie Mystical Lake Photo Manipulation in Photoshop

“You're stronger than you think you are. You can get through this, whatever happens, you can get through it. Just don't forget...the rain. It's an angel's tears. And every glass you've ever seen is half full. Don't let yourself forget that. I know what it does to a person... forgetting that hope is out there.” In this Photoshop tutorial, we will learn how to create a mystical scene. First, we added water, then place the background. Next blended it with Adjustment layers. After that add hand and mist, also for the final touch added Camera Raw Filter.

Preview of Final Image

Tutorial Resources

Step 1

Now, let’s start by creating a new image file, go to the Menu bar and click File > New, and then input the following values on their respective fields

Preset: Custom
Width: 3080px
Height: 3080px
Resolution: 300px
Color Mode: RGB Color 8 bit
Background Contents: Transparent

Step 2

Now, place Ocean Go to File > Place and select Ocean, then place it to our work canvas and position the image with the transform tool (Ctrl / Cmd + T). Hold Alt + Shift and rasterize like the image below. In Photoshop CC only hold Alt to rasterize all sides together.

Now create a layer mask and use Rectangular Marquee Tool(M) then select sky and crop (ALT + DEL). Layer mask must be selected and default color B&W.

Step 3

Add Adjustment Layer "Hue/Saturation"

Step 4

Now repeat the same process as in step 2. Place Lake Go to File > Place and select Lake, then place it to our work canvas and position the image with the transform tool (Ctrl / Cmd + T). Hold Alt + Shift and rasterize like the image below. In Photoshop CC only hold Alt to rasterize all sides together.

Now create a layer mask and use Rectangular Marquee Tool(M) then select birds and water and crop it (ALT + DEL). Layer mask must be selected and default color B&W.

Step 5

Add Adjustment Layer "Color Balance"

Step 6

Add Adjustment Layer "Hue/Saturation"

Step 7

Add Adjustment Layer "Curves"

Step 8

Now, go to File > Open and select Hand. Then use a Pen Tool(P) and start selecting. When we finish the selection press right-click on mouse and “Make Selection” then create a layer mask. The simplest path you can draw with the standard Pen tool is a straight line, made by clicking the Pen tool to create two anchor points. By continuing to click, you create a path made of straight line segments connected by corner points.

Select the Pen tool.
Position the Pen tool where you want the straight segment to begin, and click to define the first anchor point (do not drag).
Click again where you want the segment to end
Continue clicking to set anchor points for additional straight segments.
The last anchor point you add always appears as a solid square, indicating that it is selected. Previously defined anchor points become hollow, and deselected, as you add more anchor points
Complete the path by doing one of the following:
To close the path, position the Pen tool over the first (hollow) anchor point. A small circle appears next to the Pen tool pointer when it is positioned correctly. Click or drag to close the path.
To leave the path open, Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (Mac OS) anywhere away from all objects. To leave the path open, you can also select a different tool.

Right-click on a layer, then Convert to Smart Filter. Next, go to Filter > Noise > Add Noise and set Amount to 7%, and select Uniform.

Step 9

Add Adjustment Layer "Curves"

Step 10

Add Adjustment Layer "Hue/Saturation"

Step 11

Add Adjustment Layer "Color Balance"

Step 12

Add Adjustment Layer "Exposure"

Step 13

Create a new layer and use Soft Round Brush Tool(B) with the foreground color black and paint shadow. Blend mode change to Multiply.

Step 14

Go to File > Place and select Man, then place it to our work canvas and position the image with the transform tool (Ctrl / Cmd + T). Hold Alt + Shift and rasterize like the image below. In Photoshop CC only hold Alt to rasterize all sides together.

Blend mode change to Multiply with Opacity to 4%.

Step 15

Create a new layer and select a Brush Tool(B) and right-click on the background. Now click on the gear icon and Import Brushes (Select a downloaded brush). Now use a cloud brush and paint like a mist, color of brush set to Gray #808080.

Blend mode change to Overlay.

Step 16

Now repeat the same process, create a new layer and use Brush Tool(B) Soft Round with foreground color Gray #808080 and paint on the sky. Blend mode change to Color Dodge.

Step 17

When we finished all this, now merge all layers into one. Select the last layer and hold CTRL/CMD + SHIFT + ALT + E. Now we have a final layer, right-click on mouse and select Convert to Smart Object. Then go to Filter > Camera RAW Filter. At its most basic, the Photoshop Camera Raw filter allows you to use the functions of the ACR interface at any time within Photoshop.