Learn how to create this photo manipulation using a combo of different stock photos and artworks. You’ll learn how to create a soft photo effect, add moss to rocks, and enhance a pool of water with some water lilies.

Preview of Final Results

Outdoor Fantasy Manipulation Photoshop Tutorial

Resources

• Model - jaymasee
• Waterfall - elenadudina
• Trees - deviantart.com
• Moss - shardinite
• Pond - sxc.hu
• Fishes - tracie76stock
• Flower - elvensheepstock

Step 1 - Choosing the stocks

Choose the stocks you are going to use.

Step 2 - Cut outing the model

Cut out the model with the tool you prefer, you can use Polygonal Lasso Tool, Magnetic Lasso Tool, Quick Mask, Quick Selection Tool, Eraser, etc. In this case I used Polygonal Lasso Tool.

Step 3 - Creating the image to put a new Background

Put the model in a new file with the following size:

Step 4 - Removing the saturation

Duplicate the model's layer pressing ctrl + j. and to change the saturation press ctrl + U and desaturate the layer -55.

Step 5 - Working with the scenery

Then find a background. I like to mix different images to create a background, in this case the picture I used as a "base" was this one.

Step 6 - The power of the Gradient Tool

Add a new layer and make a gradient in that layer with green and white. And the choose opacity as 80% also fill 80%.

Step 7 - A touch of Gaussian Blur

Add another layer with a waterfall and trees in screen mode and add Gaussian blur to get this result. In this image I used more Gaussian so you can see the difference, but you can use less.

Step 8 - Adjusting of lighting

Add a new green layer and put it in screen mode with 50% of opacity to make the background brighter.

Step 9 - The textures

Now I'm going to show you how to add some moss to the stones using a texture in soft light with 80% of opacity.

Step 10 - The model skin is important!

Work with the model's skin. To start with that you should make a selection with lasso tool in the model's original layer. Doesn't have to be perfect, but you got to select every piece of skin. Cause then you can erase the parts you need.

Step 11 - More of skin, I said it was important

Duplicate the selection twice pressing ctrl + j to create two new layers, and in the second layer you made use "screen mode" with 50% of opacity to make the skin look brighter.

Step 12 - Add some hair

to make the hair I used brushes, until I get the result I want, also you can used the pen tool to create hair.

Step 13 - The Pond

To make the pond we used a soft light layer like this:

Step 14 - Foggy is awesome!

Then we add a foggy layer to create more light using the layer in soft light.

Step 15 - A little of life would be great.

Also you can add some fishes or plants in 80% of opacity, or even less if they are more away you can used less opacity to make then look blend into the pond.