The Arch Photoshop Tutorial

In this lesson I will explain to you some main principles of creation of a collage, as “The Arch”. We will use photos which we have found in the Internet.

Arch: http://Mehrunnisa_stock.deviantart.com/

Arch texture: http://lady-dementia-stock.deviantart.com/

Background: http://jesuisautre.deviantart.com/

Step 1. The background is basis to all. Therefore the photo with background should be of a high quality and the suitable sanction. We open it in Photoshop and we start to work.

Step 2. As our landscape will be more fantasy, than real - that we will make the image softer and bewitching. For this purpose we will copy a layer, and we will apply to the copy filter Blur - Motion blur(the picture should be smeared exactly horizontally).

Step 3. Then we use filter Blur - Gaussian Blur and we will smear the picture even more strongly.

Step 4. In adjustments of the layer we will lower Fill up to 50%.

Step 5. By means of the Eraser tool we will erase area, which covers clouds to return to them initial clearness. As a result we should receive a picture, as on picture, with soft and a gentle luminescence. WeMerge Down the layers.

Step 6. We pass to the sky. Into the center of work we insert a picture with the image of a planet.

Step 7. Let’s change Blending Mode of the layer to Screen. The background became transparent, but because of a dust and stars the picture seems pasted. We will correct by means of Eraser tool.

Step 8. We choose Dodge tool (Highlights, 100%), and clarify the bottom part of the planet.

Step 9. Let’s add a little radiance. We’ll take a simple brush of white color, and on a separate layer we will draw a white spot.

Step 10. With Smudge tool we will smear it on a circle of a planet. Not on all circle, but only by that part on which rays of light fall.

Step 11. We use filter Gaussian Blur. The radiance is ready.

Step 12. Let’s return to the Dodge tool (adjustments it is not changed). With its help we will make a moon path (reflection of light of a planet) on a pier.

Step 13. We choose Burn Tool, and we black out the pier on each side.

Step 14. Not changing adjustments, we will make darker the top part of a firmament.

Step 15. As because of blackout quality of a picture places has suffered, it is necessary to correct it. We will select the sky and we will copy on a new layer. We’ll apply filter Gaussian Blur, and we’ll lower Fill up to 75%.

Step 16. Let’s take a usual brush, and, changing the size from 1 up to 3 pixels, we draw stars.

Step 17. We start with the Arch. For the beginning it is necessary to find a photo of the suitable size and quality. We’ll insert it on a new layer.

Step 18. Now it is necessary to get rid of superfluous details. I used direct hands and the Eraser tool. You can make it any other convenient way.

Step 19. Let’s move it, that it would be exactly in the middle. We’ll extend the basis for a layer, and by means of Eraser tool we’ll mop up those parts which the pier should close.

Step 20. Let’s make the duplicate of a layer. We’ll change Blending Mode of the layers: at top - onLuminosity, at bottom - on Screen.

Step 21. To make an arch more detailed – we’ll apply a texture. For this purpose we’ll find suitable, and then insert on a new layer. Accurately mop up superfluous, leaving for an arch.

Step 22. Blending Mode of the layer with a texture we’ll change on Overlay. We lower up Fill to 52%.

Step 23. Let’s come into Blending Options of the layer, in menu Drop Shadow, and we’ll change them on such, as in picture. It will make an effect of an easy magic luminescence of the Arch.

Step 24. By means of a simple brush, with a transparency of 15 %, we shall draw reflects from an arch on a pier. As an arch high, it is not visible to us of reflection of its top.

Step 25. Let’s draw a white line on a circle of the top part of the arch, from below. So falls light from the moon.

Step 26. We choose Burn Tool (the same adjustments) and we black out edges of the collage.

Step 27. To continue, we need to keep work in a format jpg, and to open it. In menu Image - Adjustments - Brightness/Contrasts, we will raise contrast on +10, and brightness we will reduce on -10.

Step 28. Last touch. We open menu Image – Adjustments – Shadow/Highlight, and we put the adjustments shown on pictures.

It is ready. I hope, this lesson is useful to you.