Adobe-Photoshop-Tutorials: Create a Moody Landscape Photo Manipulation in Photoshop

Learn how to create a dark and dreamy photo manipulation by blending images seamlessly and applying a color effect using several adjustment layers. You’ll also learn how to use textures, apply lighting effects, and more.

Preview of Final Results

Create a Moody Landscape Photo Manipulation in Photoshop

Resources

Birds of a Feather - midnightstouch (Brusheezy)
Star Brushes - kuschelirmel-stock
Vintage 02 - FructisIndia-Stock
landscape 45 - night-fate-stock
desert mountain - night-fate-stock
Ol' Buttermilk Sky - xDante-stock
old tree - stock.xchng
Midnight Scratches - pelleron
barbwire - angeltouch1
bench - angeltouch1
rose - angeltouch1

Step 1: Create a New Image File

Create a new file with a width of 2000 px and a height of 1333 px at 300 dpi (Dots per Inch). Background Contents should be White.

Step 2: Create the Background

First off, let’s open the landscape 45 stock in Photoshop. We will be using the ground on this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.
Click the landscape 45 and press V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas.
Once you have it there, press Ctrl/Cmd + T to activate the Free Transform command and scale the image so that it’s the same size as our canvas. Change layer name to "Background"

Next, activate the Transform tool again (Ctrl/Cmd +T), and then right click on the canvas to bring up the contextual menu. Once open, click on "Warp". When activated follow the instructions below:

Now, goto edit > transform > Flip Horizontal.

The result should be similar to this:

Step 3: Create Mountains

let’s open the desert mountain stock in Photoshop. We will be using the mountain on this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.
Click the desert mountain and press V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas.
Once you have it there, press Ctrl/Cmd + T to activate the Free Transform command and scale the image so that it’s the same size as our canvas. Change layer name to "Mountains"

Next, activate the Transform tool again (Ctrl/Cmd +T), and then right click on the canvas to bring up the contextual menu. Once open, click on "Warp". When activated follow the instructions below:

Next, activate the Eraser tool (E). We're going to make the "Mountain" blend in with the background stoke. Input the following for the Eraser tool (E):

Brush size: 200px
Hardness: 0%
Opacity: 80%
Flow: 100%

Make sure that you've zoomed in to the image to at least 50% so that you can clearly erase. There is no need of detailing; erase freely. Now, let's erase highlighted areas:

Change it's Layer mode to "Darken".

The result should be similar to this:

Step 4: Create sky

First off, let’s open the Ol' Buttermilk Sky stock in Photoshop. We will be using the sky on this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.
Click the Ol' Buttermilk Sky and press V to activate the Move Tool. Left-click the image and drag the image to the main canvas.
Once you have it there, press Ctrl/Cmd + T to activate the Free Transform command and scale the image so that it’s the same size as our canvas. Change layer name to "Sky".

Next, activate the Eraser tool (E). We're going to make the "sky" blend in with the atmosphere stoke. Input the following for the Eraser tool (E):

Brush size: 200px
Hardness: 0%
Opacity: 65%
Flow: 100%

Make sure that you've zoomed in to the image to at least 50% so that you can clearly erase and layer mode to "Multiply". Now, let's erase highlighted areas:

The result should be similar to this:

Step 5:Create Light source :

In this step, we will add a source light to our image . To start, create a new layer (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N) and name it "source light". Now, activate the Brush tool (B) and open the brush set: "Star Brushes" by kuschelirmel-stock. To load them, simply, right click on our canvas through any layer and then click on the drop-down button as shown below:

This will prompt the contextual menu to pop up and once you see that, just click on Load Brushes.

You will now be prompted to this directory: Adobe Photoshop > Presets > Brushes so make sure that you have put the brushes within this folder. Now locate the brush set and click OK. Right click on the canvas again using your Brush tool (B) and now you'll notice that you have lightning brushes. Now, let's choose a brush:

With that brush selected, input the following brush settings for it:

Brush size: 2200px
Hardness: Default
Opacity: 100%
Flow: 100%
#: dff9ff

This is the brush color we would be using:

Now, let's paint in the Source light in highlighted areas:

The result should be similar to this:

Step 6: Create Tree

Let's first open old tree by stock.xchng .

Now we needs only tree from the whole stoke.We can do it by "pen tool" or "Polygonal Lasso tool (L)" but they are very time consuming so ,i am doing it by using "color range tool".It's a very easy and quick process.
Now, goto select menu then click on "color range".

Now we take sample from sky and make the value of fuzziness to 200.Follow instructions to the image and hit OK.

Now we will invert the selection press (Ctrl/Cmd +shift+t) and move (v) the image into main canvas and chane the layer name to "Tree".

Next, activate the Eraser tool (E). We're going to erase waste part of our image we want only tree. Input the following for the Eraser tool (E):

Brush size: 60px
Hardness: 0%
Opacity: 85%
Flow: 100%

Make sure that you've zoomed in to the image to at least 50% so that you can clearly erase. The result should be similar to this:

Now that's done, let's now tweak this "Tree" to blend in with the rest of the images. First, let's tweak its "Color Blance". Start by clicking on the "Tree" layer and go to Image > Adjustments > Color Blance.
Use the following settings:

Magenta: -40
Use Midtones
check preserve Luminosity

Now go to Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast.

Now go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation.
Use the following settings:

Hue: 15
Saturation: 20
check Colorize

The result should be similar to this:.

Step 7:Create Tree Shadow

Now, we will create the tree shadow before this reduce tree's opacity to 50%. Next, activate the Transform tool again (Ctrl/Cmd +T), and then right click on the canvas to bring up the contextual menu. Once open, click on "Flip Vertical".

Activate the Transform tool again (Ctrl/Cmd +T), and then right click on the canvas to bring up the contextual menu. Once open, click on "Perspective".

The result should be similar to this:

Now activate the Transform tool again (Ctrl/Cmd +T) and transform "tree shadow".

Activate the Transform tool again (Ctrl/Cmd +T), and then right click on the canvas to bring up the contextual menu. Once open, click on "Perspective".Go with the image's below

Now press ctrl and click on "tree shadow" layer the layer is got selected.Now fill it with black color and change the layer mode to "soft light" with opacity of 25%.

The result should be similar to this:.

Step 8 Create Birds :

In this step, we will add a source light to our image . To start, create a new layer (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N) and name it "Birds". Now, activate the Brush tool (B) and open the brush set: "Birds of a Feather " by - midnightstouch (Brusheezy). To load them, simply, right click on our canvas through any layer and then click on the drop-down button as shown below:

This will prompt the contextual menu to pop up and once you see that, just click on Load Brushes.

With that brush selected, input the following brush settings for it:

Brush size: 242px
Hardness: Default
Opacity: 40%
Flow: 100%
#: 00000

Now, let's paint in the Source light in highlighted areas:

The result should be similar to this:

Step 9: Create Bench

First off, let’s open the bench by angeltouch1 stock in Photoshop. We will be using the bench on this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Now activate lasso tool (L) and then select the highlated area.

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Once you select the bench then activate move tool (v) and drag the bench inti main canvas.Change the name of layer to "Bench".

Activate the Transform tool again (Ctrl/Cmd +T), and then scale it down take a look of image.

Then right click on the canvas to bring up the contextual menu. Once open, click on "lip horizontal". The result should be similar to this:

Now we will do some work on our bench.First we can see that it's upper par is to small so select the upper part of the image.

Activate the Transform tool again (Ctrl/Cmd +T), and then scale it down take a look of image.

The result should be similar to this:

let's now tweak this "Bench" to blend in with the rest of the images. First, let's tweak its "Brightness/Contrast". Start by clicking on the "Tree" layer and go to Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast.
Use the following settings:

Brightness: -25
Contrast : 0

Now go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation.

Hue: 0
Saturation: -40

Now go to Image > Adjustments > Curves.

Now go to Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast.

Brightness: -10
Contrast : 0

Now go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation.

Hue: 0
Saturation: -50

At last reduce opacity to 65%.The result should be similar to this:

Step 10: Create Bench Shadow

With that brush selected, input the following brush settings for it:

Brush size: 200px
Hardness: Default
Opacity: 70%
Flow: 100%
#: ooooo

Now, let's paint in the shadow in highlighted areas:

The result should be similar to this:

Step 11: Create Rose

First off, let’s open the Rose by angeltouch1 stock in Photoshop. We will be using the bench on this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.Now activate lasso tool (L) and select the highlighted area.

Now drag it to main canvas and activate transform tool then scale it down.Have a look in the image.change the layer name to "Rose".

Now we will add some glow to our flowers.Let's activate rose layer by a click on it then duplicate the layer by ctrl/cmd+j drag it below rose layer and change it's name to "Glow".Now scale it little big by free transform tool.Now go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian blur. Set the Radius to 5 pixels. 58[4]

The result should be similar to this:

Step 12: Create Rose Shadow

Activate Brush tool with these values:

Brush size: 30px
Hardness: Default
Opacity: 60%
Flow: 100%
#: ooooo

Paint in highlighted area

The result should be similar to this:

Step 13: Create Big Sparkle

In this step, we will add a source light around rose . To start, create a new layer (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N) and name it "source light". Now, activate the Brush tool (B) and open the brush set:
With that brush selected, input the following brush settings for it:

Brush size: 173px
Hardness: Default
Opacity: 90%
Flow: 100%
#: dff9ff

This is the brush color we would be using:

Now, let's paint in the Source light in highlighted areas:

The result should be similar to this:

Step 14: Create Small Sparkles

In this step, we will add some small sparkles around rose . To start, create a new layer (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N) and name it "sparkles 1". Now, activate the Brush tool (B) and open the brush set:
With that brush selected, input the following brush settings for it:

Brush size: 15px
Hardness: Default
Opacity: 100%
Flow: 100%
#: fffff

This is the brush color we would be using:

Now, let's paint in highlighted areas:

The result should be similar to this:

Now we will add some more small sparkles around rose . To start, create a new layer (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N) and name it "sparkles 2". Now, activate the Brush tool (B) and open the brush set:
With that brush selected, input the following brush settings for it:

Brush size: 25px
Hardness: Default
Opacity: 100%
Flow: 100%
#: dff9ff

This is the brush color we would be using:

Now, let's paint in highlighted areas:

The result should be similar to this:

Step 15: Create Girl

First off, let’s open the Vintage 02 by FructisIndia-Stock stock in Photoshop. We will be using the girl on this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.Now activate lasso tool (L) and select the highlighted area.

Now drag it to main canvas and activate transfrom tool then scale it down.Have a look in the image.change the layer name to "Girl".

let's now tweak this "girl" to blend in with the rest of the images. First, let's tweak its "Brightness". Start by clicking on the "Girl" layer and go to Image > Adjustments > Curves.

Now we will add some shades to our girl stoke . To start, create a new layer (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N) and name it "Shadow1". Now, activate the Brush tool (B) and open the brush set: With that brush selected, input the following brush settings for it:

Brush size: 15px
Hardness: Default
Opacity: 45%
Flow: 100%
#: 00000

Paint the highlighted area.

Now we will make shadow on her side part and on the ground. create a new layer and name it "Shadow2".Use the same brush and same setting.
Paint the highlighted area.

The result should be similar to this:

Step 16: Create hand

First off, let’s open the Hand by angeltouch1 stock in Photoshop. We will be using the hand on this stock image so we will need to transfer it to our main canvas.

Now we needs only hand from the whole stoke.We can do it by "pen tool" or "Polygonal Lasso tool (L)" but they are very time consuming so ,i am doing it by using "color range tool".It's a very easy and quick process.
Now, goto select menu then click on "color range" then take sample of white color from stoke and make the value of fuzziness to 30.Follow instructions to the image and hit OK.

Now we got our hand selected and it's look pretty good.Now invert the selection by (ctrl/cmd+i) then drag our hand into our canvas.

Now activate free transform tool then right click on it then click on flip horizontal and then finally scale it small.

Now we will do some adjustments with our hand.Let's go to image > adjustment > curves.

Now activate Hue/Saturation.

And once again we will do some changes through cruve tool.

The result should be similar to this:

Step 17: Create hand Shadow

To start, create a new layer (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N) and name it "Hand Shadow". Now, activate the Brush tool (B) and open the brush set: With that brush selected, input the following brush settings for it:

Brush size: 5px
Hardness: Default
Opacity: 45%
Flow: 100%
#: 00000

Paint the highlighted area.

The result should be similar to this:

Step 17: Add Texture

Now we will add a texture to our image.Adding textures to your work is great way how to unify the look of the picture, add more details and also add bit of painted look. Now open Midnight Scratches by pelleron.

Drag it to main canvas and change it layer name to "texture" then change it's layer mode to "soft light" and opacity to 70%.Now activate erase tool and erase the highlighted area.

The result should be similar to this:

Step 18: Create a Vignette

In this step, we will learn how to create a vignette which will help enhance the focus on our subject.Create a new layer name it "vignette".Fill it with white color.

Now go to Filer > Distort > lens correction.

Now use these settings:

Vignette amount: -100
Midpoint: +20

The result should be similar to this:

Activate erase tool and erase highlighted area .

Now change the layer mode to "multiply".

The result should be similar to this:

Step 19: Give the image a dark and dreamy feel atmosphere with adjustment layers

To give image a dark and dreamy tone we'll use ill layers first to add some gloomy colors.Clock on the layer adjustment button in the layer panel and choose solid color in the contextual menu that appears.

Use a very dark blue color (#000119) for the solid color fill. The new fill layer will appear in our Layers Panel, showing the color of the fill layer that we’ve chosen..

Notice that our scene has gotten a slightly yellow hue. We don’t want it that way, so let’s decrease the opacity of the fill layer to 30% and set its blending mode to Exclusion.

The result should be similar to this:

Create a new solid color fill layer again, but now use a brownish-orange color (#5c4011). Set the blending mode of the new fill layer to Soft Light, and reduce the opacity to 70%.

Now we need to create a new adjustment layer to increase the image’s luminosity. Choose Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Gradient Map or click on the layer adjustment button in the Layers Panel and choose Gradient Map in the contextual menu.
Use the Black, White gradient preset for the gradient map.Then set the blending mode of the adjustment layer to Luminosity and bring the opacity down to 30%.
The result should be similar to this:

Now let’s give the image a cool atmospheric color using a Curves adjustment layer. Choose Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves or click on the layer adjustment button in the Layers Panel and choose Curves in the contextual menu.
When the curves adjustment layer dialog window appears, click on the gray eyedropper, which will allow you to sample a part of the image to set the gray point of the curves. When you click on a specific part of the image using the gray point eyedropper, the image’s white balance will change. Take a sample somewhere on ground.

The result should be similar to this:

To give our scene a more somber feel, we need to use a cool color over the image. Let’s create another adjustment layer: Photo Filter. Click on the layer adjustment button in the Layers Panel and choose Photo Filter.
Once the Photo Filter dialog window opens, choose Deep Emerald in the pull-down menu for Filter. Make sure that the filter’s density is set at 25% and that the Preserve Luminosity option is checked.
The result should be similar to this:

Now adjust the color balance of the photo to come up with our intended atmosphere. We’ll do this with yet another adjustment layer: Color Balance. Like before, click on the layer adjustment button in the Layers Panel and choose Color Balance..
Use the settings shown below for the Color Balance adjustment layer:

The result should be similar to this:

Once again we do some changes with curve layer. Let's click on adjustment layer button.
When the curves adjustment layer dialog window appears, click on the gray eyedropper, which will allow you to sample a part of the image to set the gray point of the curves. When you click on a specific part of the image using the gray point eyedropper, the image’s white balance will change. Take a sample somewhere on ground.
The result should be similar to this: