How to Create a Surreal Deer Photo Manipulation with Adobe Photoshop

How to Create a Surreal Deer Photo Manipulation with Adobe Photoshop
How to Create a Surreal Deer Photo Manipulation with Adobe Photoshop

Step 9

Create a Levels adjustment layer to bring more light to the top middle as we aim to make the main light there. On this layer mask, paint on the rest so it won't be affected by this adjustment layer. 

Step 10

Add a Color Fill layer and pick the color #085b83. Lower the opacity of this layer to 60% and on this layer, use a soft black brush to erase most of the canvas, leaving the mist visible on the top middle only.

Step 11

Create a new layer on top of the layers and use a soft brush with the color #89c2e2 to paint in the middle. Change this layer mode to Soft Light 100%.

Step 12

Open the moon image and cut out the moon from the dark background. Place the moon on the top middle of the main canvas and change this layer mode to Screen 100%.

Step 13

Double click this layer, choose Inner Glow. Set the color of glow to #99c7d2.

Step 14

Make a new layer and use a soft brush with the color #bdd3e0 to paint around the moon. Change this layer mode to Overlay 100% and add a mask to this layer. Use a soft black brush to reduce the light effect  around the top middle. 

Step 15

Add a new layer and use the same brush to paint on the middle of the ground to add some light there. Alter this layer mode to Soft Light 100%.

Step 16

Isolate the deer and place him in the middle of the ground. Convert this layer to a Smart Object.

Add a mask to this layer and use a small hard black brush to hide some unwanted details around the deer's contour.

Step 17

Go to Edit > Puppet Warp and use the pins to change the pose of the deer, especially the horns to make them higher. 

Step 18

Make a new layer above the deer layer and set it as Clipping Mask. Change this layer mode to Overlay 100% and fill with 50% gray:

Activate the Dodge and Burn Tool (O) with Midtones Range, Exposure about 10-15% to refine some details on the deer. You can see how I did it with Normal mode and the result with Overlay mode.

Step 19

Create a new layer (set as Clipping Mask) and use the Clone Tool with the opacity about 50% to reduce the visibility of a part on the deer's back.

Step 20

Create a new layer and use a small brush with the color #623726 to paint some small furs to fill in the dark part on the bottom of the deer's body.

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4 comments on “How to Create a Surreal Deer Photo Manipulation with Adobe Photoshop”

  1. I don't understand step 23 and 24 about the Curve layer, it darken the whole picture. I try to clipping mask step 23 but I don't know how to do step 24, it make the whole picture dark with curve

    1. If it makes the whole image darker, it means it's not being clipped to a layer. The curve adjustment layer should be positioned above the deer. You can download the PSD to check the layer positions.

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