How to Create a Retro Surreal Photo Manipulation using Photoshop

How to Create a Retro Surreal Photo Manipulation using Photoshop
How to Create a Retro Surreal Photo Manipulation using Photoshop
  • Brightness: -27
  • Contrast: 5
image052

Next we would need to darken the sides of the “mouth” layer to give it some shadow and make it more realistic – make it look like it really is inside the frame. Start by creating a new layer (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N); name this layer “Darken” and put it above the mouth layer. After that, right click on this layer to bring up the contextual menu. Once the menu is active click on “Create clipping mask”. Clipping masks make sure that the “paint” you’re going to brush in wouldn’t scatter to other layers.

Now activate the Brush tool (B) and input the following:

  • Brush size: 125px
  • Hardness: 0%
  • Opacity: 15%
  • Flow: 100%

Note: Use the default brushes and not the previous ones.

Now, let’s paint:

image053

The result:

image054

Step 10: Add the textures

In this step, we will be adding some textures to give our image a grungy feel. Let’s open the first texture: “Paper Texture 1” by Wojtar Stock. Once opened, activate the Move tool (V) and drag this to our canvas. Position it this way:

image055

Now, transform it to this size:

image056

Once that is done, change its Blending Mode and Opacity to the following:

  • Blending mode: Soft Light
  • Opacity: 70%
image057

The result of that would look like this:

image058

Next, let’s open the “Old Paper 37 stock” by ofruin stock Move it to our canvas using the Move tool (V) and transform it to the size of our canvas.

image059

After that, change the Blending mode and Opacity values to the following:

  • Blending mode: Color Burn
  • Opacity: 50%
image060

Step 11: Adjust the feel of our image

Now we’re going to enhance the colors of our work. Let’s start by creating a Solid Color adjustment layer. To do that, click on the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button located on the Layer Window. See image below:

image061

After clicking on the Solid Color adjustment layer, the Color Picker box would appear. Once it appears, input the following:

  • #: 070937
image062

Once you’ve done that, use the following:

  • Blending Mode: Exclusion
  • Opacity: 50%
image063

After that, create a new Solid Color adjustment layer and input the following:

  • #: 503929
image064

Apply the following:

  • Blending Mode: Soft Light
  • Opacity: 30%
image065

Create a new Solid Color adjustment layer again, input the following:

  • #: d68230
image066
  • Blending mode: Soft Light
  • Opacity: 10%
image067

Now, let’s create a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer from the Create New Fill/Adjustment layer button. See image below:

image068

Once the box opens, input the following:

  • Brightness: -15
  • Contrast: -5

The image should now be looking like this:

image069

Now, let’s create a Gradient Map adjustment layer:

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5 comments on “How to Create a Retro Surreal Photo Manipulation using Photoshop”

  1. I know this tutorial is an old tutorial and that some of the stock photos are gone, but I really like the tutorials on this website by Michael Manalo. I can follow along using other stocks and the artworks are beautiful.

  2. It would have been much more helpful as a beginner if I could see what the layers looked like on the right side of the screen. As it was, the lasso tool at the very beginning working with the water lost me. Please don't assume you're dealing with experts when directing these tutorials!

  3. I'm beginner , so I'm stuck on sky. When I put them on main picture (canvas) they are so small , and when I resize sky, resolution is changed and it looks really ugly. Any help ?

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