Learn how to use Photoshop to create this amazing photo manipulation using several clever techniques such as using the Liquify tool to bend twigs and branches. The most important part of this tutorial will show you how to use layer blending modes and the Shadow/Highlights adjustment to create an ethereal tone effect.
Preview of Final Results
Tutorial Resources
- Modern Style Dancer – ShutterStock
- Water Background – knightfall-stock
- Tutorial Resources – Provided by author
Step 1
Create new document (File > New or Ctrl/Cmd+N)
Use the Paint Bucket tool (G) and fill with the color #A1A1A1. Then, add a black to white gradient map by going to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Gradient Map.
Step 2 – Add Ground Layers
Add the ground layer (GROUND\IMG_6231). Scale the image using the Free Transform tool (Edit > Free Transform or Ctrl/Cmd+T). Now, I will change the shadows and light a bit. Because you never know how it will work with layers and which one will come later, you should convert your layer to a Smart Object. To do this, right-click on the layer and choose “Convert to Smart Object”. Now we are ready to use the Shadow/Highlights adjustment (Image > Adjustments > Shadows/Highlights).
Note: Every layer name will have the same number as the ones in the tutorial resources.
As you can see, the details of the rock has increased with the Shadow/Highlights adjustment..
Now I will add a layer mask and erase parts of the image that I don’t want. Click on the “Add layer mask” icon on the bottom of your Layers palette.
Info: Cienie / Podświetlenie mean Shadow/Highlights (Sorry about that, I use the Polish version of Photoshop)
Because the bottom of this photo is too blurry, I will add another ground layer. Add the next ground layer located in the folder Ground\IMG_6232. Using exactly the same step as before, I added a layer mask and painted on it with black.
Step 3 – Add Clouds layers
Now I will add some clouds using the exact same technique we did with the ground layers. Remember, you will get better results if you decrease your brush opacity; I usually work between 30-50%. First, I will add a new Gradient Map adjustment layer (Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Gradient Map). It will be the same gradient map as the previous layer so you can just duplicate the previous layer. To do this, select the layer then press Ctrl/Cmd+J to duplicate the layer. Move the layer to the top of your layer like shown in the image below.
- CLOUD 6022 – Folder CLOUDS\IMG_6022
- Blending Mode: Normal
- Opacity: 100%
- CLOUD 6011 – Folder CLOUDS\IMG_6011
- Blending Mode: Vivid Light
- Opacity: 100%
Copy Cloud 6011 then press Ctrl/Cmd+T to activate the Free Transform tool. Change the position and transform then press Enter or double-click on your image to apply the transformation. Set the layers blending mode to Overlay and opacity to 100%.
- CLOUD 6375 – Folder CLOUDS\IMG_6375
- Blending Mode: Normal
- Opacity: 100%
- CLOUD 6371 – Folder CLOUDS\IMG_6371
- Blending Mode: Normal
- Opacity: 100%
- CLOUD 6182 – Folder CLOUDS\IMG_6182
- Blending Mode: Normal
- Opacity: 100%
Here’s what our layers look like:
Step 4 – Dancer photo
Right-click on the Dancer layer and click “Convert to Smart Object”. I added a layer mask and erased part of the shoe. This isn’t necessary because later the image will be dark enough and the shoe will be covered.
Dancer photo from Shutterstock
On the Dancer layer, add a Gradient Overlay layer style (Layer > Layer Style > Gradient Overlay. Set the gradient to a black to transparent gradient like shown below. It will make the bottom of the Dancer layer a bit darker.
Step 5 – Roots
I’ll start now add roots, but first, I’ll explain how I created them. As you can see on the picture I prepared different shapes, they were cut out of the pictures of rocks. I did it with Lasso Tool (L). You can use any photo with interesting shapes like mountains, tree bark, rocks etc.
- Under you see screen of the ROCKS.psd
- Folder ROCKS / ROCKS.psd
I did not use them all, but maybe you will. To make them easier to find inside PSD I gave them the numbers.
Now I will explain how I transformed them. I will use Liquify (Filter/Liquify). I have to say that this is one of my favorite tools. On the next screen I showed in steps how I used this tool, as you can see it is really easy!
FEW EXAMPLES
Step 6 – Adding roots
Now I will start build roots.
More roots!
More roots!
Part in the red circle I want to put under the arm. I added a layer mask on root layer, then I selected Dancer layer. There are two ways to make such a selection:
- Right click on Dancer layer and chose Select Pixels
- OR Press Ctrl + click Dancer layer
Now go to root layer select Layer Mask then use Brush Tool (B) and paint with black #000000 part which you don’t want.
Now I will show which photo I used for roots marked in red.
The transformation was made of course with Liquify. Quick steps:
At this point all roots are in two folders
- ROOTS_01
- ROCKS_BACKGROUND
Step 7 – How to make image darker
This is good time make image darker, and of course add first lights. Between groups CLOUDS and ROCKS_BACKGROUND I created a new group called LIGHT (Layer > New > Group). Create a new layer (Layer > New > Layer or Shift+Ctrl+N). Set the blending mode to Color Burn and opacity to 100%. For the first layer I will use Gradient Tool (G) filled with black color #000000
Add new layer (Layer > New > Layer or Shift+Ctrl+N). Paint with black (#000000), use soft brush, opacity between 30-50%. Set the layer blending mode to Normal and opacity to 100%.
Add new layer (Layer > New > Layer or Shift+Ctrl+N). and paind with white #ffffff, use soft brush, opacity between 30-50%. Set the layers blending mode to Normal and opacity to 100%.
Add new layer (Layer > New > Layer or Shift+Ctrl+N). and paind with #d8d2cc, use soft brush, opacity between 30-50%. Set the layers blending mode to Normal and opacity to 100%.
At this point I have to say few words about colors, to be honest you can use only black and white, with diferent opacity, but I’m always try to experiment and this is why I used those strange colors. Also different colors will give you different strenght of light. Just give it a try please! OK let’s see what we have right now, I don’t like left part of the image, I mean there is not enough clouds, let’s add some.
- CLOUD 5513
- Folder CLOUDS / IMG_5513
- Set the blending mode to Overlay Opacity 100%
Press (Ctrl+U) and set Saturation to -100
Add new layer and fill with black color #000000. Set the blending mode to Soft Light and opacity 70%. Add layer mask, and use the Gradient Tool (G) on it. Set the gradient color black to white.
Step 8
At this point I want to make entire background darker. For this I will use Curves (Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves).
Step 9
The dancer is still too dark so I will use Shadow/Highlights tool (Image > Adjustments > Shadow/Highlights) to make him brighter. As you remember Dancer layer is a Smart Object right now, so you will be able change lights and shadows if it will be necessary.
Step 10
In this step, I will work on the lower part of the image, I will make it darken. Add new layer (Layer > New > Layer or Shift+Ctrl+N). Set the layers blending mode Linear Light and opacity 100%. Now use Gradient Tool (G). Use a transparent gradient on the bottom part of the image (Gradient color # 998f8a).
Add new layer (Layer > New > Layer or Shift+Ctrl+N). Now paint bottom part of the image with soft brush, brush opacity around 30-50%. Set the layers blending mode to Normal and opacity to 100%.
Add new layer (Layer > New > Layer or Shift+Ctrl+N). Set the layer blending mode to Color Burn and Opacity to 41%. Select the Gradient Tool (G) then add a transparent gradient on the bottom part of the image. The gradient color I used is #838597.
Add a black to white gradient map (Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Gradient Map).Set the blending mode to Normal and opacity to 35%.
Double click on this layer.
Press and hold Alt then move half of the slider to the right.
As you can see after this operation, the highlights are revealed. Open the PSD file and check how it works!
Step 11 – Adding bricks
In this step, I’ll add another ground picture. Also, I will add few floating bricks (BRICKS / MAIN_BRICK.psd)
BRICKS / IMG_5717 – I used Lasso Tool (L) to cut them.
Add MAIN_BRICK layer.
Add a few floating bricks.
Now I will change the shadows and highlights for the MAIN_BRICK and 02_BRICK layers. Right-click on your layer and choose “Convert to Smart Object. Now we’re ready to add some Shadows/Highlights (Image > Adjustments > Shadow/Highlights). Here are the settings for the 02_BRICK layer.
Settings for MAIN_BRICK layer:
To be honest, you should just play with sliders – don’t follow me directly!
Add shadows under the brick; just paint with a soft brush with the color #28242d. Set the layers blendign mode to Overlay and opacity to 80%.
Now I will make Dancer leg a little brighter. Add new layer (Layer > New > Layer or Shift+Ctrl+N). Use soft brush and paint with the color #ede5db. Set the layers blending mode to Normal and opacity to 20%.
Step 12 – Darkening image (continuation)
In this step, I will add a few adjustment layers which will help make the image look really dark. The first layer will be a Selective Color adjustment layer (Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Selective Color). Set the layers blending mode to Normal and opacity to 100%.
In the colors drop down menu, select black. Set the Yellow setting to -7%.
Next, we’re going to add a Levels adjustment layer (Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Levels). Set the blending mode to Normal and opacity to 100%.
Next, we’re going to add a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer (Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Brightness / Contrast). Set the layers blending mode to Normal and opacity to 100%. Here are the settings:
Step 13 – Adding roots
I decided to add more roots. The added roots are in folders ROOTS_02 and ROOTS.
Step 14 – Adding lights
Time to add lights! I will start with the very easy and useful technique. Add new layer (Layer > New > Layer or Shift+Ctrl+N). Now go to Edit > Fill, set the contents to 50% Gray, then click OK.
Set the layers blending mode to Overlay and opacity to 100%. Now use Dodge Tool (soft brush) and paint on this layer. For the brush settings, I used an exposure of around 20-50%.
This is the layer set to Normal
Step 15 – More lights
In this step I will add a lot of lights layers. I like to work on multiple layers because it’s easier to make changes in the future. After every layer I will show Before & After, so you will see process of changing. As always paint with soft brush with an opacity around 20-50%. For the first layer, set the blending mode to Soft Light and opacity to 100%. The brush color is #d8cbb8.
For the second layer, set the blending mode to Normal and opacity to 100%. The brush color I used is white (#ffffff).
For the third layer, set the layers blending mode to Normal and opacity to 100%. The brush color I used is #fffefd.
The last layer in this step will be a shadow layer. Set the layers blending mode to Normal and opacity to 100%. I used a brush color of #71645a.
Step 16 – More lights
In this step, I will continue adding lights. Set your layers blending mode to Color Dodge and opacity to 100%. The brush color I used is #92877f.
Set the layers blending mode to Normal and opacity to 15%. Use the brush color #fffbd3.
Set the layers blending mode to Normal and opacity to 100%. Set your brush color to black (#000000).
Step 17 – More lights
In this step I will continue adding lights. Set the layer blending mode to Pin Light and opacity to 60%. The brush color I used is #d8cbb8.
Set the layers blending mode to Screen and opacity to 100%. For the brush color, use #92877f.
Set the layers blending mode to Overlay and opacity to 100%. For the brush color, use #9e9e9e.
Step 18 – More roots and rocks
In this step, I just made copies from the roots which I already had. Then, I built a few new ones (Folder ROOTS_FINAL). I also added a few floating stones (Folder: ROCK_SMALL). I used the Lasso tool (L) to make a cutout of them (ROCKS / ROCKS_01.psd).
Open the file ROOT_TOP – Folder ROOT / ROOT_TOP.psd. Use the Lasso Tool (L) to create a cutout of it.
Step 19 – Adding shadows and highlights on dancer
In this step, I will add some highlights to the dancer and shadows to the roots. Add new layer (Layer > New > Layer or Shift+Ctrl+N). Set the layers blending mode to Color Burn and opacity to 45%. Use a soft brush and paint it with the color #39362f. You’ll have to apply a shadow layer to the Dancer layer. To do this, press and hold Ctrl/Cmd and point your cursor above the red line. You will see an icon – click on it. Do this operation with all the layers shown in this step.
Make a copy of the SHADOW layer (Ctrl/Cmd+J) and move it to the arm.
Add new layer (Layer > New > Layer or Shift+Ctrl+N). Now go to Edit > Fill. Set the contents to 50% Gray then click OK. For this layer, set the blending mode to Overlay and opacity to 100%. Use the Dodge tool with a soft brush and paint on this layer. For the brush settings, I used an exposure between 20-50%.
This is the layer set to Normal.
Add new layer (Layer > New > Layer or Shift+Ctrl+N). Set the layers blending mode to Normal and opacity to 100%. Use soft brush and paint with white (#ffffff)
Step 20 – ROOK
In this step I will work on ROOK. The lower part of the tail does not look good. You have to add a few feathers.
But first use the Burn Tool (O) and make tail a bit darker.
Now use the Polygonal Lasso Tool (L) and cut feathers. Use the Burn Tool (O) and make feathers a bit darker. Prepare various size of feathers.
Build the missing part of the tail.
I use 16 feathers for this.
The ROOK is ready! Add it to your final image.
Step 21 – Last Clouds
In this step I will add the last layers with clouds. Actually, we already have them ready, they need only a small improvement.
Make a copy layer with Cloud 6182 (Ctrl/Cmd+J). Delete the layer mask (Right click on the mask layer then click Delete Layer Mask).
Move the cloud here:
Right click on your layer and choose “Convert to Smart Object”. Now we are ready to add some Shadow/Highlights (Image > Adjustments > Shadow/Highlights). Here are the settings:
Click on the “Add layer mask” icon on the bottom of your Layers palette. Use a soft black brush to paint on the layer mask. The brush opacity should be around 20-50%.
Now, I will make copies of this layer again. Then, I will move it to the left side of the picture where I will paint on the layer mask and cover parts of the cloud that I want to hide.
Step 22 – Last lights
Now I will add the last light layers. Create new layer (Layer > New > Layer or Ctrl+Shift+N). Set the layers blending mode to Overlay and opacity to 100%. Use a soft brush on it and paint it with the color #d1d1d1,
Step 23 – Final Colors
In this steps I will add some colors. Create new layer (Layer > New > Layer or Ctrl+Shift+N). Set the layers blending mode to Color and opacity to 100%. Use a large soft brush and paint with the color #45443c.
Add a Curves adjustment layer (Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves). Here are the settings:
I deleted one layer because it was too bright. Here’s the layer I deleted:
Step 24 – Extra color settings
Maybe someone will like them more. Create new layer (Layer > New > Layer). Set the layers blending mode to Divide and opacity to 25%. Use a large soft brush with an opacity of 50% and paint with the color #fff600.
I hope that you enjoy the tutorial. Best regards!
Download the PSD
Final Results
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