Programming Blog

Intro

In this photo manipulation tutorial we are going to digitally create a dream land using Photoshop. Along the way we will analyze lighting, incorporate a shattering effect, and use some brush tool properties.

Resources

This is a collage of images, so not surprisingly we’ll need to gather a lot of elements to make it work. If you are following along, you’ll want to grab the following.

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Step 1

Import Cloud Images 1 into your canvas, and name the layer ‘clouds 1′. Pay close attention to the light source. In this image the sun light is coming from the right side, which is depicted in the image by arrows. We will consider this the primary light source throughout the tutorial.

Step 2

Import Cloud Images 2, and name it ‘clouds 2′. Then, select the Soft Eraser Tool (E), and erase the edges of the ‘clouds 2′ layer.

Step 3

Having the ‘clouds 2′ layer selected, go to Image -> Adjustments -> Curves, and slightly adjust the curves as shown.

Step 4

Now import Cloud Image 3, and name it ‘cloud 3′. Just like the last step, erase the edges of the layer with the Eraser Tool (E).

Step 5

With the ‘cloud 3′ layer still selected adjust the curves as shown.

Step 6

Now open up Hammock 1, and extract it. To do so, draw a shape around the guy and the hammock image using the Pen Tool (P). Once the shape is finished, right click on it, and select ‘Make Selection’. Then, hold ‘Ctrl’ + click ‘J’ (Ctrl+J) to make the selection a new layer.

Step 7

Import the previously made layer into your Dream Land document, and name it ‘Hammock 1′. Then resize the image to fit the composition, using the Move Tool (V). Continue by going to Image -> Adjustments -> Exposure, and change the settings to: Exposure +1.06, Offset -0.0020, Gamma Correction 1.12.

Step 8

In the same way as the first hammock, extract Hammock 2 and place it in the work space. Then, move the image to the position as shown. Afterwards, go to Image -> Adjustments -> Exposure, and change the settings to Exposure +0.63, Offset 0, Gamma Correction 1.14.

Step 9

Now, select the ‘hammock 1′ layer, and extract the rope using the Lasso Tool (L) and pressing Ctrl+J to turn the selection into a new layer. Place the rope on the ‘hammock 2′ layer. Duplicate the rope layer, and drag it upwards using the Move Tool (V). Erase the knot in the duplicated layer, then merge both of the ropes layers, and name it ‘rope 1′. Now, duplicate the ‘rope 1′ layer, and place it on the other side of the hammock as shown.

Step 10

Having the ‘cloud 3′ layer selected, extract part of the cloud, and make it a new layer named ‘c3-1′. Now place the ‘c3-1′ layer above the ‘hammock 2′ layer.

Step 11

Using the Pen Tool (P) extract the Bruj Khalifa Building (which, by the way is the world’s tallest tower at this time). As mentioned in the first step, the light factor should be taken into consideration. The direction of light in the ‘Bruj Khalifa’ layer is from the left side, so flip it horizontally by selecting the layer with the Move Tool (V), then right click and select ‘Flip Horizontal’.

Step 12

Now import Bird 1, and place it on the left shoe of the man resting on the hammock 1, and flip it horizontally to match the light.

Step 13

At this point you can let your creative juices flow by adding additional elements throughout the composition. To give you an idea, I used elements such as hot air balloons, the Taj Mahal, pigeon, butterfly, and another bird near the hammock 2. Make sure that all these elements match the light.

Step 14

Use the pen tool to make a selection of the book like what is pictured below. Then make the selection a new layer, and name it ’shatter’. Transform the ’shatter’ layer by choosing the Move Tool (V), then right click and choose ‘Wrap’.

Step 15

Mask the ’shatter’ layer using the Magic Wand Tool (W), and add a layer mask. Now fill the layer mask with black. Paint the layer mask white with a grunge brush to get the shatter effect.

Step16

Now use the Moon Brushes 1 and Moon Brushes 2 to add some stars and moons throughout the composition. Be wary not to go overboard with this effect.

Step 17

Select a soft white brush sized at 3px, and go to Window -> Brushes (F5). Select the Scattering option, set it to 100%. Now brush on some white magic particles coming from the bird.

Step 18

Use the Bubbles Brushes, to subtley add a few bubbles where you desire. If the effect looks to intense, drop the opacity a bit.

Step 19

To complete the effect, I used a soft white brush along the edges of the composition. I also added the text ‘Dream Land’ and dropped it below the ‘cloud 3′ layer in the layers pallet. This is my finished artwork.

That’s A Wrap

That’s if for this tutorial. I’d love to hear what you think, drop me a comment using the below.

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