How to Create a Cyborg Photo Manipulation with Adobe Photoshop

In this tutorial, I'll show you how to create a sci-fi artwork featuring a cyborg woman. You'll learn how to build a technological background, make a cyborg woman, create some sci-fi effect, enhance the color and lighting and more.

Preview of the Final Result

Tutorial Resources

Step 1

Create a new 3000x2000 px document in Photoshop and fill it with white. Hit Ctrl+Shift+N to make a new layer and hit G to select the Gradient Tool. Select Radial Gradient with the colors #6ec1d6 and #c9eff7. Drag a line from the middle to the left or right, remembering don't make a long line. Here is the result I've done:

Step 2

Drag the background 1 image into our canvas and change the mode to Soft Light 100%.

Step 3

I want to remove some text on the background. Make a new layer and use the Rectangular Marquee Tool (M) to select the area with 04 and fill this selection with the color #89d2e3.

Do the same with the text BAY on the right but change color to #b2e6f1.

Step 4

Place the background 2 image into our main document and change the mode to Soft Light 100%.

Do the same with the background 3 image. Click the second icon at the bottom of the Layers panel to add a mask to this layer. On this layer mask, activate the Brush Tool (B) and select a soft round one with black color. Use this brush to remove the detail on the left.

Step 5

Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves and increase the lightness. On this layer mask, use a soft black brush to paint around the edges of the canvas, leaving the light visible on the middle.

Step 6

Cut out the model 1 from the background and place her in the middle.

Step 7

Create a new layer above the model one and set it as Clipping Mask. Use a soft brush with the color #99918e to paint on the model's lips to change their color. Alter this layer mode to Color 60%.

Step 8

We'll remove the model's eyebrows . To do it, on the model layer, use the Lasso Tool (L) to select a skin area on her right cheek (from the viewer) and hit Ctrl+C to copy this selected part. Make a new layer above the lips' layer (set as Clipping Mask). On this layer, hit Ctrl+V to paste this part onto it. Move it onto the right eyebrow and use the Free Transform Tool (Ctrl+T) with the Warp mode to bend this part following the form of the eyebrow.

Add a mask to this layer and use a soft black brush to remove the hard edges and blend it with the existing skin.

Step 9

Duplicate this layer and move it to another eyebrow. Flip it horizontally by clicking Edit > Transform > Flip Horizontal.

Step 10

Create a new layer and select the Clone Tool (S). Use this tool to remove the wrinkles below the eyes.

Step 11

Make a new layer and use a soft brush with the color #6a4c46 to paint below the eyes to make shadow for them. Change this layer mode to Multiply 100% and use a layer mask to reduce the opacity to make it more natural.

Step 12

Create a Color Balance adjustment layer and alter the Midtones settings. On this layer mask, paint around the white parts and outside the eyes to remove the cyan cast on these details.

4 comments on “How to Create a Cyborg Photo Manipulation with Adobe Photoshop”

Help me says:

August 8, 2021 at 6:38 am

I can't do step 22 with the pen stroke, I waste too much time on how to do it, I give up.

Erin James Carney says:

June 27, 2021 at 1:01 pm

I love this tutorial but I wish we didn't have to pay for the images... :(

Tradexcel Graphics says:

August 24, 2020 at 1:49 am

Great editing photos I ever saw. Nice retouching for this picture.

Richard Thiel says:

August 23, 2020 at 11:04 am

Tener que comprar las fotos para el tutorial, no me parece correcto.