Learn how to create this surreal and dark photo manipulation. This tutorial will show you how to blend images together and transform them to create this image. You’ll also make use of some adjustment layers to complete the image.

Preview of Final Results

Magical Light Beam Photo Manipulation Photoshop Tutorial

Resources

• Solidified lava - CAStock
• Sea, Greece - evza11
• Sky 17 - sacral-stock
• Lake 62 - raindroppe
• crow 1 - peroni68
• Rock stock PirateLotus-Stock
• Pink Dress 1 Kuoma-stock
• Star Brushes kuschelirmel-stock

Step 1: Create a New Image File

Create a new file with a width of 3500 px and a height of 4500 px at 300 dpi (Dots per Inch). Background Contents should be White.

Step 2: Create the Background

First off, let's open the Lake 62 in Photoshop. We will be using this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas. Click the Lake 62 and press V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas and change layer name to "Background".

Next, let's open the Solidified lava in Photoshop. We will be using this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas. Click the Solidified lava and press V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas and change layer name to "Background 1".

The result should be similar to this:

Now,activate pen tool to make a selection around the image after that delete the highlighted area.

The result should be similar to this:

Let's start by creating a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("background 1" layer and Hue/Saturation) to make a mask.:

When the Hue/Saturation box opens, input the following:

The result should be similar to this:

Let's start by creating a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("background 1" layer and Hue/Saturation) to make a mask.:

When the Hue/Saturation box opens, input the following:

The result should be similar to this:

Now activate Erase tool (E) with these settings Now let's erase :

• Brush size: 400px
• Hardness: 0%
• Opacity: 40%
• Flow: 100%

The result should be similar to this:

Now,activate pen tool to make a selection around the image after that delete the highlighted area.

The result should be similar to this:

Step 3: Fix Sea

First off, let's open the Sea, Greece stock in Photoshop. We will be using the sea from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas. Click the Sea, Greece and then click V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas and change layer name to "sea".

The result should be similar to this:

Next, activate the Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd +T), then while the "Sea" layer is selected and then resize it as shown below:

The result should be similar to this:

Once again, activate the Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd +T), then while the "Sea" layer is selected and then resize it as shown below:

The result should be similar to this:

Now activate Rectangular Marquee tool (m) and make a selection.See as below and then activate Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd +T).

Press Enter

The result should be similar to this:

Let's create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("Sea" layer and Hue/Saturation) to make a mask.:

When the Hue/Saturation box opens, input the following:

The result should be similar to this:

Now Let's create a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("sea" layer and Brightness/Contrast) to make a mask.:

When the Brightness/Contrast box opens, input the following:

The result should be similar to this:

Let's create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("Sea" layer and Hue/Saturation) to make a mask.:

When the Hue/Saturation box opens, input the following:

The result should be similar to this:

Step 4: Fix Sky

First off, let's open the Sky 17 stock in Photoshop. We will be using the sea from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Click the Sky 17 and then click V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas and change layer name to "Sky".

The result should be similar to this:

Change the layer mode to "Overlay".

Reduce the opacity to 65% .

The result should be similar to this:

Now activate Erase tool (E) with these settings Now let's erase :

• Brush size: 400px
• Hardness: 0%
• Opacity: 40%
• Flow: 100%

The result should be similar to this:

Now create a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("Sky" layer and Brightness/Contrast) to make a mask.:

When the Brightness/Contrast box opens, input the following:

The result should be similar to this:

Now create a Curves adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("Sky" layer and Curves) to make a mask.:

When the Curves box opens, input the following:

The result should be similar to this:

Now create a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("Sky" layer and Brightness/Contrast) to make a mask.:

When the Brightness/Contrast box opens, input the following:

The result should be similar to this:

Now activate Brush tool (B) with these settings Now let's Paint :

• Brush size: 200px
• Hardness: 0%
• Opacity: 40%
• Flow: 100%
• Color: #FFFFF

The result should be similar to this:

Again activate Brush tool (B) with these settings Now let's Paint :

• Brush size: 600px
• Hardness: 0%
• Opacity: 40%
• Flow: 100%
• Color: #FFFFF

The result should be similar to this:

Step 5: Fix girl

First off, let's open the girl stock in Photoshop. We will be using the sea from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Click the girl and then click p to activate the Pen Tool and make a selection around the girl and drag the image to the main canvas and change layer name to "girl".

The result should be similar to this:

Next, activate the Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd +T), then while the "girl" layer is selected and then resize it as shown below:

The result should be similar to this:

Now create a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("Girl" layer and Brightness/Contrast) to make a mask.:

When the Brightness/Contrast box opens, input the following:

The result should be similar to this:

Now create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("girl" layer and Hue/Saturation) to make a mask.:

When the Hue/Saturation box opens, input the following:

The result should be similar to this:

Now create a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("Girl" layer and Brightness/Contrast) to make a mask.:

When the Brightness/Contrast box opens, input the following:

The result should be similar to this:

Now create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("girl" layer and Hue/Saturation) to make a mask.:

When the Hue/Saturation box opens, input the following:

The result should be similar to this:

Now create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("Girl" layer and Hue/Saturation) to make a mask.:

When the Hue/Saturation box opens, input the following:

The result should be similar to this:

Now create a curve adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("Girl" layer and curve) to make a mask.:

When the curve box opens, input the following:

The result should be similar to this:

Reduce opacity to 95%

Step 6: Add shadow to the ground and girl

Make a new layer below girl layer and name it "ground shadow".Now activate Brush tool (B) with these settings :

• Brush size: 400px
• Hardness: 0%
• Opacity: 40%
• Flow: 100%

The result should be similar to this:

Make a new layer below girl layer and name it "girl shadow".Now again activate brush tool (soft bush) with these settings:

• Brush size: 400px
• Hardness: 0%
• Opacity: 40%
• Flow: 100%

And paint the highlighted area.

The result should be similar to this:

Make a new layer above girl layer and name it "Girl body shadow".Again paint the highlighted area.

The result should be similar to this:

Reduce girl body shadow's opacity to 95%. The result should be similar to this:

Now activate Erase tool (E) with these settings Now let's erase :

• Brush size: 400px
• Hardness: 0%
• Opacity: 40%
• Flow: 100%

The result should be similar to this:

Step 7: Fix rock

First off, let's open the Rock stock in Photoshop. We will be using the sea from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Click the Rock stock and then click p to activate the pen Tool and make a selection around the rock and drag the image to the main canvas and change layer name to "rock".

The result should be similar to this:

Now, activate clone stamp tool (s) see as below.

The result should be similar to this:

Activate move tool (v) and move rock to the other place.

Now create a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("Rock" layer and Brightness/Contrast) to make a mask.:

When the Brightness/Contrast box opens, input the following:

The result should be similar to this:

Now create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("Rock" layer and Hue/Saturation) to make a mask.:

When the Hue/Saturation box opens, input the following:

The result should be similar to this:

Now create a Curve adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("Rock" layer and Curve) to make a mask.:

When the Curve box opens, input the following:

The result should be similar to this:

Now create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("Rock" layer and Hue/Saturation) to make a mask.:

When the Hue/Saturation box opens, input the following:

The result should be similar to this:

Now activate Erase tool (E) with these settings Now let's erase :

• Brush size: 400px
• Hardness: 0%
• Opacity: 40%
• Flow: 100%

The result should be similar to this:

Now activate Brush tool (B) with these settings :

• Brush size: 400px
• Hardness: 0%
• Opacity: 40%
• Flow: 100%
• Color: #FFFFF

The result should be similar to this:

Step 8: Fix crow

First off, let's open the crow 1 stock in Photoshop. We will be using the sea from this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas. Click the crow 1 and then click V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas and change layer name to "crow".

The result should be similar to this:

Next, activate the Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd +T), then while the "Crow" layer is selected and then resize it as shown below:

The result should be similar to this:

Now create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window Press Alt+left click in between 2 layer's ("Crow" layer and Hue/Saturation) to make a mask.:

When the Hue/Saturation box opens, input the following:

The result should be similar to this:

Step 9 : Make a pearl

Activate elliptical Marquee tool (m) and make a circle and fill it with White color (#FFFFF).

Now add some gradient overlay.

The result should be similar to this:

Now Add some inner shadow.

The result should be similar to this:

Now add some Outer glow.

The result should be similar to this:

Now activate Erase tool (E) with these settings Now let's erase :

• Brush size: 400px
• Hardness: 0%
• Opacity: 40%
• Flow: 100%

The result should be similar to this:

The result should be similar to this:

Step 10: Add Source beam

Now activate Brush tool (B) with these settings :

• Brush size: 400px
• Hardness: 0%
• Opacity: 40%
• Flow: 100%
• Color: #FFFFF

Paint see as below.

Now Go to Filter > Blur > Motion blur .See as below :

The result should be similar to this:

Now activate a Rectangular marquee tool and draw a rectangle.See as below :

Fill it with white color.

Now go to Select > feather Press enter .

Now invert the selection (Ctrl+shift+i) and pass delete for twice.

The result should be similar to this:

Now add Outer glow.

The result should be similar to this:

Now add Inner glow.

The result should be similar to this:

In this step, we will add stars to our image . To start, create a new layer (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N) and name it "stars". Now, activate the Brush tool (B) and open the brush set: "Birds of a Feather" . To load them, simply, right click on our canvas through any layer and then click on the drop-down button as shown below:.

This will prompt the contextual menu to pop up and once you see that, just click on Load Brushes.

You will now be prompted to this directory: Adobe Photoshop > Presets > Brushes so make sure that you have put the brushes within this folder. Now locate the brush set and click OK. Right click on the canvas again using your Brush tool (B) and now you'll notice that you have lightning brushes. Now, let's choose a brush:

Now Paint.

The result should be similar to this:

Now go to Filter > blur > Radial blur and put these settings below :

The result should be similar to this:

Now again activate Brush tool (b) with these settings :

• Brush size: 150px
• Hardness: 0%
• Opacity: 100%
• Flow: 100%
• Color: #FFFFF

The result should be similar to this:

Step 11: Give the image a dark and dreamy feel atmosphere with adjustment layers

Now create a Solid color adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window .

When the Solid color box opens, input the following:

The result should be similar to this:

Change the layer blending mode to Soft light. The result should be similar to this:

Reduce opacity to 40%. The result should be similar to this:

Now create a Color balance adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window. When the Color balance box opens, input the following:

The result should be similar to this:

Now create a Photo Filter adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer. When the Photo Filter box opens, input the following:

The result should be similar to this:

Reduce opacity to 50%. The result should be similar to this:

Step 12: Create a Vignette

In this step, we will learn how to create a vignette which will help enhance the focus on our subject.Create a new layer name it "vignette". Fill it with white. Now go to Filer > Distort > lens correction.

Now use these settings:

Vignette amount: -100

Midpoint: +20

The result should be similar to this:

Now change the layer mode to "multiply". The result should be similar to this:

Reduce the opacity to 65% The result should be similar to this:

Now create a Color balance adjustment layer which can be found by pressing on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button shown on the layer window. When the Color balance box opens, input the following:

The result should be similar to this:

Final Results

Finally, when you save in the JPEG format, it is advisable to save it in the highest quality which is 12. Through this tutorial we have learned so many advance tips of doing a art work.always go with Adjustments from layer palette. Always try to avoid using erase tool in spite of erase tool use layer mask. Hope you all like my tutorial and learn something from this.

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