In this tutorial, I'll show you how to create a ruined landscape using standard photo manipulation techniques. You'll learn how to combine different landscapes and blend them together using adjustment layers, masking, and brushes. You'll also learn how to adjust color and contrast, enhance the mood, lighting, and more.

Preview of the Final Result

Tutorial Resources

• Landscape 1
• Landscape 2
• Landscape 3
• Rock 1
• Rock 2
• Rock 3
• Ruin 1
• Ruin 2

Step 1

Create a new 3000x1500 px document and fill it with white. Open the landscape 1 image and drag it into the white canvas using the Move Tool (V).  Convert this layer to a Smart Object. 

Step 2

Go to Filter > Noise > Dust & Scratches and fill in the following settings. 

On this filter mask, activate the Brush Tool (B) and select a soft round one with black color. Use this brush to erase the foreground and midground.

Step 3

Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation and set it as Clipping Mask. Reduce the Saturation values to -91:

Step 4

Open the landscape 3 image and use the Rectangular Marquee Tool (M)  to select the lower part of the image to add to the ground of the working document.

Click the second icon at the bottom of the Layers panel to add a mask to this layer. Use a soft black brush to remove the rock part and most of the foreground.

Step 5

Make a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer and bring the Saturation settings to -87 to blend the new ground part with the existing one.

Step 6

Open rock 2 image and isolate the rock and the ground from the background using your own method.  Convert this layer to a Smart Object and place the rock onto the right of the existing ground.

Add a mask to this layer and use a medium-hard black brush to remove the ground.

Step 7

Activate the Lasso Tool (L) to select the lower part on the left of the rock and go to Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask and fill in the following settings:

Step 8

Create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer (set as Clipping Mask)  and bring the Saturation values to -88.

Step 9

Make a Curves adjustment layer to reduce the lightness. On this layer mask, use a soft black brush to erase the dark effect on the contour of the part sharpened in the step 7.