Advanced_Photoshop_141_-_2015_UK_

TECHNIQUES 20 PRO SECRETS FOR DYNAMIC LIGHTING

14. CREATE SPECIAL EFFECTS
    WITH LIGHT AND COLOUR
    While lighting is a key element in photography and
    digital art and one that we are focusing on in this
    feature, colour is another. Colour cannot be
    ignored when it comes to discussing lighting,
    especially in compositing and illustration work
    
    
    • finding a good balance between the two is
      important. This is particularly true when it comes
      to creating special effects lighting, which needs to
      be bright and colourful, but also full of light.
      “In order to create a healthy balance between
      colour and light, it’s important to make use of
      certain layer blending modes to develop illuminated
      effects. This helps to give the light effect a sense of
    
    
    
    

realism and energy that would otherwise appear

quite flat as a default coloured layer,” explains

freelance illustrator Gavin Campbell (thewhite

hawktuts.com). “It’s also important to understand

how certain colours evoke very different types of

energy. For example, [in the image shown] I used

a Color Dodge blending mode to create a glowing

green-tinted light on the inner rim of the trainer,

which evokes a sense of positivity and harmony. I

then used yellow (emotional strength and

creativity) and then red (strength, stimulation and

excitement) light on the outer rim as part of the

continual progression.”

Flame effects: I used a

Photoshop plug-in called Flame Painter to created the flame

effects on the rims. Twas later enhanced with a Chis brush olor

Dodge blending mode

Warmer light: I applied the same

technique as for the green highlights, but here I added a

Hueto give the light a warm feel/Saturation adjustment layer

Green highlights: The tinted

green highlights were created using the default Soft Airbrush.

I then duplicated the layer and reduced the size before adding

a Screen blending mode

Add motion: I used the same

set of sparks across the entire image. A sense of motion can

be achieved by adding a Motion Blur smart filter to the

foreground layers

13. ADD DRAMA
    TO COMPOSITES
    WITH LIGHTING
    FABIO ARAUJO SHOWS US WHICH
    PHOTOSHOP TOOLS HE USED TO CREATE
    THIS ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITE

01

LENS FLARE

With the composition finished, Fabio can

begin adding in lighting effects to create the

atmosphere in this image. “I always try to create a

dramatic environment by taking advantage of the

use of light. [First] I simulated a solar light using

Filter>Render>Lens Flare in the central image area.”

02

LIGHTING EFFECTS FILTER

The next step is to add a vignette to the

edges of the image, which is a trick used by

photographers and digital artists alike to pull focus

to the centre of the image. “To darken the edges of

the image and create a more dramatic atmosphere,

I used the Filter>Render>Lighting Effects.”

03

BEFORE AND AFTER

Here you can see the original composite

before the lighting effects were added, and the

difference that using Photoshop’s built-in lighting

tools can have on a photomanipulation project

such as this. The final result is much more

dramatic and eye-catching. © Fabio Araujo

© Gavin C

am

pbell

Before

After