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 21

Make a new layer and use a soft brush with the same color and the opacity about 22% to paint more fur on the lower part of the deer's body to reduce the contrast there.

Step 22

Make a Color Balance adjustment layer and alter the Midtones values:

Step 23

Add a Curves adjustment layer  and reduce the lightness. On this layer mask, use a soft black brush to erase the contour of the deer to reveal the light there.

Step 24

Create another Curves adjustment layer to reduce the contrast on the deer. On this layer mask, paint on the deer's contour to keep the light there.

Make a Photo Filter adjustment layer and pick the color #0196ec to make the deer's color fit the background.

Step 25

Add a new layer and use a small brush with the color #94e0e3 to paint bright furs on the front of the deer. 

Step 26

Create a new layer and use a soft brush with the color #96d5c6 to increase the light on the deer. Change this layer mode to Overlay 100%.

Step 27

Add a new layer below the deer's one and make shadow for the deer as done with the trees. I've lowered the shadow's layer to 40%.

Step 28

Place the underwater image onto the horns and change this layer mode to Hard Light 100%

Add a mask to this layer and use a hard black brush to erase the part outside the horns.

Step 29

Make a Color Balance adjustment layer and change the Midtones settings:

Step 30

Create a Curves adjustment layer to darken the left of the underwater part. Paint on the rest to keep its contrast.

Add another Curves adjustment layer to brighten the middle of the underwater part. The selected areas show where to paint on the layer mask.

Step 31

Open the sea image and use the Rectangular Marquee Tool (M) to select a part in the middle of the sea to add to the top of the horns. Use Ctrl+T to make this part thinner and add a mask to this layer. Use a hard black brush to remove the part outside the horns.

Step 32

Create a Color Balance adjustment layer to change the color of the sea's surface.

Step 33

Add a Curves adjustment layer to bring more light to the sea part. On this layer mask, use a soft black brush with  the opacity about 5-10% to reduce the light on the details which are too bright.

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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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