In this tutorial I will show you how from just two photos create a beautiful summer poster. This technique is based on blend modes and filters. I’ll tell you about using blending modes and filters, working with color and composition. In this tutorial the final result variants a lot! Read this tutorial and Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of summer vacation!

What you’ll be creating

Many have a photo from vacation. But why did not the usual photos to add a little style and creativity to see them in a new way? In this tutorial Let’s start creating this picture by adding the basic elements and create the background. Then we will create a new kind of model, and add effects. At the end of this tutorial will work with the text and details. You can use your photos from vacation, a little creativity, good humor and Photoshop starting from CS version.

Tutorial Resources

• Hotel – Pixabay
• Model – xn3ctz

Step 1

So let’s start. The first thing we need is to create a new document. Go to File > New or use Cmd/Ctrl + N. Set up document to 1800 height, 1350 width and resolution to 150 pixels/Inch.

Step 2

Go to File > Place…/Place Embedded and open “Ms__Officer_by_xn3ctz” image. In Free Transform mode (Ctrl/Cmd+T or Edit > Free Transform) slightly increase the size with holding Shift key of the photo and position the model in the center of the working field.

Step 3

Take a Magic Wand Tool (W), set Tolerance to 10 and select background. In this case, to use this tool easier and faster to create selection (also add to selection white background). With active selection go to Layer panel and with holding Opt/Alt click on “Add a layer mask” icon to a model layer or go to Layer > Layer Mask > Hide Selection.

Step 4

Now create the background. First I add a gradient. Go to Layer > New Fill Layer > Gradient… or use “Create new fill or adjustment layer” icon. Select default Black & White gradient and set up following gradient #fef4da > #f5ca6c > #ecad2a > #e39a0a > #dd9302 and click OK. Set gradient Angle to 90 degrees, Scale to 100% and hit OK. This layer must be under layer with a model.

Step 5

Go to File > Place…/Place Embedded and open “swimming-pool-731886” image. With Free Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd+T or Edit > Free Transform) resize the layer like shown in the image below. Also use Perspective Tool (right click in transform mode > Perspective) to reduce lens distortion in the image.

Step 6

Now change layer Blending Mode to “Lighten”. The Lighten blending mode compares the color information for each pixel of the base and the blend color and applies the lighter color as the result. Duplicate this layer (Layer > Duplicate Layer or Cmd/Ctrl + J) and change Blending Mode to “Screen”. With Screen blend mode the values of the pixels in the two layers are inverted, multiplied, and then inverted again. Using these two modes complements the first photo with missing parts from the second, thus getting a nice bright image.

Step 7

Now create the texture in the image. I think that the lines would look interesting and give poster style to the image. So, create a new layer by using “Create a new layer” icon at the bottom of Layer panel or use Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + N. Set default background and foreground colors (D). Go to Filter > Render > Clouds. On a cloud texture apply filter “Mezzotint” (Filter > Pixelate > Mezzotint…). Set Type to “Long Lines” and click OK.