Explore the full 3000 by 3000px composition we’re crafting today by clicking on the image below.
Update: Access the rationale behind the unavailability of the stock photo in the comments section. Original background by Julia Starr (Creative Commons License)
Clevedon Pier image by John Page (Royalty-Free License)
Update: This stock photo is no longer accessible. Find the explanation in the comments. New Boots. Side pose by mansongothic-stock (Creative Commons License)
Old Tv image by dazzle-textures (Creative Commons License)
White Noise 2 image by Falln-Stock (Creative Commons License)
Begin by creating a new Photoshop file with dimensions of 3000px width and 3000px height at a resolution of 300 dpi (Dots per Inch). Ensure the background is set to Transparent.
Firstly, open the Premade background 15 stock photo in Photoshop. (Update: This stock photo is no longer available. Refer to the comments for more information.) We will utilize the clouds from this image, necessitating its transfer to our primary canvas.
Activate the Move Tool by clicking on the Premade Background 15 and pressing ‘V’. Left-click and drag the image onto the main canvas.
Once in place, press ‘Ctrl/Cmd + T’ to initiate the Free Transform command, then scale the image to match the canvas dimensions.
Next, duplicate the layer to simulate a stormy sky with light emanating from a single direction. Use ‘Ctrl/Cmd + J’ to duplicate the layer.
Then, horizontally flip the layer to eliminate the overcast sky section.
With the duplicated layer active in the Layers Panel, select Edit > Transform > Flip Horizontal.
After transformation, erase the overcast sky on the duplicate layer.
In this phase, we’ll craft a sky scene that’s dark and foreboding—a tempestuous atmosphere is how I describe it. However, we should initially draw the viewer’s focus to the center of the image, as this will be the light source and the placement area for our subject. Moreover, the cloud formations closely resemble those of a stormy sky.
Create a new layer by pressing ‘Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N’ or by clicking on the ‘Create a new layer’ button in the Layers Panel.
Ensure the new layer is positioned above all existing layers.
Name this layer ‘black1’ for organizational purposes.
Use the Brush Tool (B) to paint the sky by setting the following brush options:
Master Diameter: 1200 px
Opacity: 15%
Flow: 100%
Hardness: 0%
Paint the regions outside the primary light source, creating a vignette effect specifically on the top portion of the scene where the sky is.
Replicate the sky effect to create a Graduated Neutral Density (GND) filter-like effect. Create a new layer named ‘GND’ and brush the top section of the sky with the following settings:
Master Diameter: 1200 px
Opacity: 25%
Flow: 100%
Should the darkness not meet your preference, adjust it by adding an additional brushing layer. Create a new layer named ‘black2’ and apply a few strokes on the top section of the sky.
For the foreground, we’ll utilize the Clevedon Pier image. Download and open the file, then move it to the main canvas.
Remove the lampposts and the image’s sky using the Polygonal Lasso Tool (L).
Zoom in on the image to precisely select the sky and lampposts using the Polygonal Lasso Tool. Aim for a zoom level of 100% for maximum accuracy.
Drag the selected pier to the main canvas and scale it to fit using the Free Transform command (Ctrl/Cmd + T).
Continue to refine the viewer’s focus in this step.
Create a new layer named ‘black on floor’ and use the Brush Tool (B) with the following settings to create a half-vignette for the floor:
Master Diameter: 700 px
Opacity: 23%
Flow: 30%
After applying the shadows, introduce dramatic lighting by creating a new layer named ‘Light’ under the Clevedon Pier layer to simulate light emanating from beneath the bridge.
Use the Brush Tool (B) with the following settings to enhance the light in the center of the image:
Master Diameter: 1000 px
Opacity: 70%
Flow: 30%
Create a new layer named ‘Light2’ above the pier’s layer and use the Brush Tool (B) with the following settings to brush on the same spot as in the ‘Light’ layer:
Master Diameter: 900 px
Opacity: 30%
Flow: 100%
Use the Dodge Tool (O) to brighten up parts of the pier that will be illuminated by the light.
Set the Dodge Tool’s options to:
Master Diameter: 400 px
Range: Midtones
Opacity: 18%
Paint light on the part of the bridge where the light source is located.
Next, integrate our subject. Download and open the New Boots. Side pose stock photo in Photoshop.
(Update: This stock photo is no longer available. See the comments for details.)
Isolate the subject from its background using the Polygonal Lasso Tool.
Drag the subject to the main canvas using the Move Tool (V), just as you did with the other stock photos.
Adjust the size of the subject using the Free Transform command (Ctrl/Cmd + T) to match the image below.
Now that the model is in place, it’s time to place the TV on her head. Download the Old Tv stock photo and drag it to the main canvas.
Position the TV on top of the subject’s head, ensuring the Old Tv layer is above the subject’s layer.
The stock image has a solid white background, which can be easily removed using the Magic Wand Tool (W) by clicking on the white area surrounding the TV.
Remove the white area around the TV by pressing the Delete key.
Transform the TV to fit the girl’s head by using the Eraser Tool (E) to erase the subject’s head, and then resizing the TV layer.
For an illuminated TV, add white noise to it. Download and open the White Noise 2 stock image, then move it to the main canvas.
Adjust the size and rotation of the stock image using the Free Transform command (Ctrl/Cmd + T) to match the image below.
Enhance the effect by creating a new layer above the white noise and using a white brush to brighten the center of the White Noise 2 image.
Now, add shadows to the subject to complete the composition.
Since the subject is positioned against the light, the image needs to be darkened to create stronger shadows.
Create a new layer named ‘Shadow’ beneath the
