Scatter the stars
04
Add the supplied image of the starry
sky. Set it to Multiply, 80% Opacity
and place it just above the lower sunset layer.
Use the techniques in the annotated
screenshot to blend it in with the image.Begin the composition
01
Start off by opening the background
image and cropping so that you just
have a clear view of the beach, with the
horizon in the distance. Add the supplied
ladder image. Place and add a white-to-black
gradient. Clip this to the ladder by Alt/
Opt-clicking it.Give it a subject
02
Place the supplied image of the girl.
Use Quick Selection (W) to cut her
out and place her behind the ladder. Use
Reine Edge on the selection, and then Cmd/
Ctrl-click the layer preview of the ladder layer;
ill in this selection with black, on the mask of
the subject.Recolour with the sunset
03
Add the sunset image. Place it below
the ladder layer and set to Screen; hit
Screen, Invert (Cmd/Ctrl+I) and make big, soft
brush strokes over the sky. Duplicate the
layer and move above the subject. Delete the
mask and follow the annotated screenshot
below to learn how to blend it.Elements
The foundations Build the composition up with brushes, masking and other tools
Create a surreal
moon composition
Turn a collection of stock images into a surreal scene
For as long as night has followed day, humans have been obsessed
with the moon, whether they’ve been viewing it through a
telescope, or landing on it in the 1960s and 1970s. Artistically
though, it makes a great focus for a composition!
In this project, we’re going to explore how to make a composition
realistic in tone, if not in scale. The idea is simple: our subject is
placing a moon into the sky with help from a step ladder, and so
we’re going to need to make sure the image is balanced in terms ofthe size of its elements. Don’t be afraid to lay out your stock images
on the page when you start: sometimes before making a
composition such as this, it can help to rough it out first.
The most important thing, though, is just to have fun and
experiment whenever you can. There are loads of great techniques
you can learn from attempting a project like this, and we’ve supplied
everything you’ll need to recreate this image in your own style on
the FileSilo. So download, and get creating!Surreal art...
TWEAK THE
SUNSET
When you place
the sunset, grab
a sot brush, Alt/
Opt-click colours
from the image,
and brush over
the bottom half.BLENDING THE
SUBJECT
Cmd/Ctrl-click on
the subject layer
preview, then
Shit+Cmd/Ctrl-
click on the ladder
layer preview. Go to
Filter>Blur>Average
to remove detail
from the subject.Alt/Opt-drag a
layer to duplicate it
in the Layers
panelShortcut