How to Create a Scene Above the Clouds Photo Manipulation Tutorial

“There came a day when the clouds drifting along with the wind aroused a wanderlust in me, and I set off on a journey to roam along the seashores.” In this Photoshop Tutorial, we will learn how to create a surreal scene above clouds. First, we added clouds background, then add mountains, man, circle, and buildings. Also added texture and birds. Blended it with Adjustment layers and for final use 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 the Background photo Go to File > Place and select Clouds. Then place it on our work canvas. Then 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.

Step 3

Next, place mountains Go to File > Place and select mountains, 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 the Soft Round brush tool(B) with the foreground color black and delete the bottom part of the image.

Step 4

Add Adjustment Layer "Color Balance"

Step 5

Add Adjustment Layer "Hue/Saturation" and press Ctrl/Cmd + I to invert and use Brush Tool(B) Soft Round with foreground color white and paint on the clouds.

Step 6

Create a new layer and change the Blend Mode to Linear Burn with an opacity of 40%. Then use a Brush Tool(B) Soft Round with the foreground color red #da9896 then paint.

Step 7

Next, we will open Man. After you open the image, use the Quick Selection Tool(W) and start selecting. After the selection area has been created, simply copy (Ctrl / Cmd + C) and Paste (Ctrl / Cmd + V) it to our work canvas. Then position the image with the transform tool (Ctrl / Cmd + T). Hold Alt + Shift and resterize like the image below. In Photoshop CC only hold Alt to resterize all sides together.