How to Create a Flaming Photo Manipulation
Tutorial Details
- Program: Photoshop
- Difficulty: Advanced
- CompletionTime: 1-2 hours
Download Source Files
Final Product What You'll Be Creating
In this tutorial, we’ll manipulate a picture so it looks like a woman burning in flames. The idea behind this manipulation was to create a nice looking illustration, only by using simple techniques and tools such as the Brush tool and Warp command. I hope you enjoy the tutorial and try it with your own stock imagery.
Editor’s note: This tutorial was originally published on Psdtuts in January 2009.
Step 1
For this project, I used two nice images that suits for the manipulation; image1, image2. I would like to thank the author of this two great pictures, which is thiquinho and huibidos from sxc.hu. And before we continue with the steps, I need to inform you that this tutorial is written using Photoshop CS3.
Step 2
Let’s start with image1, open and duplicate this image by using the Image > Duplicate command from the menu bar. In the Duplicate Image dialog box, you can name it anything you like, but to follow this tutorial reference, name it "PassionFire" and hit OK. By doing this, we kept the original image. Be sure to save.
Step 3
With the "PassionFire" image active, duplicate the "background" layer. Set the foreground and background color to black and white by pressing D on the keyboard. Click the "background" layer again and fill it with the foreground color ~ which is set to black. See the images below.
Step 4
Reactivate "Layer 1," then press Command + Shift + U to apply desaturate command. Now invert the color by pressing Command + I. Your image should look like a film’s negative now.
Step 5
Duplicate "Layer 1," then apply the find edges filter from Filter > Stylized > Find Edges. Next, invert the color by pressing Command + I and change the Blending Mode to Hard light. There, your image now has contrast white line and a very dark background.
Step 6
To give the white line more contrast, duplicate the "Layer 1" copy then change the Blending Mode to Screen.
Step 7
Now we move to the second image. Drag image2 into "PassionFire" document image window using the Move tool. If the Paste profile mismatch dialog appears, just click OK to fix it.
Step 8
The fire image from "image2" should be in "Layer 2" now. Change its Blending Mode to screen, this will hide all the black colors in "Layer 2." If done right, your image should be similar to the one below.
Step 9
Duplicate "Layer 2" by pressing Command + J. Make sure you use the Screen Blending mode, same as the original "Layer 2." Next, make "Layer 2" become invisible by hiding it from the layers panel.
Step 10
Click the "Layer 2 copy" to make it active, then use the Free Transform command ( Edit > Free Transform) to rotate and resize the fire image like shown below. Don’t forget to press Enter when you’re done transforming.
Step 11
Still in the same layer, now use the warp command (Edit > Transform > Warp) to bend the fire image – so it following the hair flow. Press Enter when done. See the example below as a reference.
Step 12
If you feel the result is not quite good enough, simply use the Liquify filter to fix it. I assume you already know how to use the liquify filter; the Forward Warp tool and Twirl Clockwise tool is the only tool I used to get this result (see image below).
Step 13
Duplicate the "Layer 2" copy, then use the Free Transform command to resize and rotate the fire image in the current layer. Don’t forget to reposition the fire image too. Once you get this composition (see image below), hit Enter.
Step 14
Repeat the previous process to get the hair covered with fire. Just duplicate and modify the layer until you get all the hair part covered. If needed, use the Liquify Filter again. The end result of this process should look like the image below, notice how many layers are used.
Step 15
Okay, now activate "Layer 2" and make it visible again. Then Change the Blending Mode to Vivid Light. This step will colorize only the white line in the layer below it.
Step 16
Still in "Layer 2," apply the Free Transform command to resize and rotate the fire image like shown below. The purpose is to cover up the girl’s body and hair with the fire texture. Press Enter when you’re done transforming.
Step 17
We’re gonna blur the fire image in "Layer 2," To do so, apply the Gaussian Blur filter from the Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur menu. Fill the Radius around 10 to 15 pixels, then click OK when done. Blurring the fire image will cause its texture to blend smoother with the layer below it.
Step 18
Now add a layer mask to "Layer 2." Then use a soft round Brush tool with Opacity at 100%. Set the brush size according to your need, then just mask until the fire outside becoming hidden. See the process below.
Step 19
Sure we will remove the white line shown in the image (marked in red rectangle below). First, add a new blank layer below "Layer 2." Then simply paint it with black using the soft round brush tool.
Step 20
Now go to the top most layer (mine is: "Layer 2 copy 6"), add two adjustment layers which is Hue/Saturation and Brightness/Contrast. Careful not to change the layer adjustment order, or the color effect will be wrong. Below you can see the setting I used to complete this step, also pay attention to the adjustment layer order.
By adding a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer, we unify all colors. The Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer brings more color contrast and makes sure the image color’s looks like real fire.
Step 21
I’m sure you notice the fire sparks effect. I create it using the Brush tool with this simple setting. No special brush needed, but if you have one that will be useful then feel free to use it. Below you can see all the settings I used within the Brush palette, of course you can change the setting as you like. Just make sure the brush spatter enough and vary the size.
Step 22
Now to use the modified brush, create a new blank layer below the adjustment layers ( mine is named "Layer 4"). Choose 50% gray from the swatches palette, then you can start creating the fire sparks. Remember not to be monotone, resize the brush size if needed. I start using a big sized brush, then reduce it to smaller size (you can change brush size faster by pressing the bracket keys on the keyboard ).
If you’re not sure how to do this steps, just imagine where and how the fire sparks will flow if it was real fire. For me, imagining stuff is very helpful.
Step 23
To make it more interesting, create a new layer and change the Blending Mode to Screen. Then use a normal soft round brush (not the one we modified earlier), with an Opacity of 50%. Just click in the part of body, neck, and hair. I’m not sure how to explain this, but you can see the difference between the above and below images.
Conclusion
And that’s all of it! Hope you learned something new and had fun. You can view the final image below or view a larger version here.
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By Jayan Saputra
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Thanx :)
We had to follow your tutorial as a hw.
Here’s what i did:
http://twinkiesxe.deviantart.com/art/my-boyfriend-is-so-hot-205493864
man.. whats the Edges Filetr? i cannot find it……..
Can anyone say “regurgitation”? This EXACT tutorial was posted on this very website probably about 2 years ago…
Yeah, it kinda already says so in the Editor’s Note.
Yes, its old tutorial right here posted long back. Dont know why again?
who cares it is awesome
LOL… not much attention to details huh.
nice piece of work:)) i really like it.
Very cool, I am not quite at this skill but a very good tut, Thanx just fuels my imagination even more
I’m stuck on step 15 – as soon as I activate layer 2 and change the blend mode to vivid, all the features in the face disappear completely. Anyone?
so good pic
Nice tut…
One of the first I’ve followed – tried it on a friends car. Just added some sparks and a lens flare. Easy enough to do.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=18121193&l=9b0f37ef6b&id=735155384
Holy crap that is so wicked
thnx for tutorial…i tried it on my own pic..but it was a low quality pic….anyway…it’s fun
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1705777201164&set=a.1432354325763.2060541.1140031158&type=1&ref=nf
This is my take on this tut, but with Ice instead of fire, and my girl friend instead of a random chick. http://pitnern.deviantart.com/art/Amanda-on-ice-206015922
I also used a soft brush with high size and a blue tint on a layer behind her. I then used Gaussian Blur on it at a really high setting to give her the glow look.
just killing……………………………..woooooooooooowwwwwwwwwww
Nice tut…
One of the first I’ve followed – tried it on a friends car. Just added some sparks and a lens flare. Easy enough to do. i really like it…..
Here is what I did:
http://img222.imageshack.us/i/firemaster51final.jpg/
let me know what do you think about it
its very nice tut. thanks i ll try it :))
Won’t this tut published in Photoshop Secrets DVD?
Hey this is really good. I’m a beginner at Photoshop. I usually do my art by hand even the graphics but it would be good to learn how to do this though. :)
Good stuff (thumbs up)
me try and this the pic
http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac99/zovan/screenshot-211.png
wtf. this author can’t even write a tutorial properly.
next time be specific. fucking shake. I don’t understand some steps.
Thanks for this tutorial..
It was very helpful to me. :)
Look at my work. I have problem with step 15. My efect isn’t the same as the tutorial
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/560/ogien.jpg/
i want the same result which is on the tutorial.Pls answer how to fix this.
Look again and pls answer how to fix my problem
i have this result :
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/849/fireh.jpg/
and i want this:
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/846/fireok.jpg/
I just want to step 15 to do well. And sorry for my English.
Hello Dex, It jaime
It Look likes your layer is not in order. Or you forgot to hide one layer. Check back in the instruction to see which one. I had just problem too.
This was a wonderful tute. I’m working on an illo involving fire effects, and this was tremendously helpful to me. I sincerely appreciate all the detail, and your taking the time to explain things so clearly. The careful building up of the fire using layers was ingenious, ditto your use of adjustment layers and blending modes. The sparks were a lovely final touch. Just great– thanks again!
My sparks didn’t glow.
I placed them just as directed. But the layer masks didn’t seem to have an effect.
Is it because I’m using cs5?
My sparks are grey too. Using CS5
My sparks are grey as well.. anyone knows what i’m possibly doing wrong?
And 5 minutes later I found a solution.
In CS5 you have an adjustments panel on the right. Whit all kinds of options for; levels, curves, exposures, etc. etc. If you press on the color balance.. while having the sparks-layer active.. you can change the color from grey to the orange/red. Just play with the numbers.(for example +100, 9, -47)
Wow. Great work. Very impressive.
thanks, for this awesome tutorial!
i must say a very nice and detailed tutorial. Very helpful for beginners like me. Thanks =)
I Did it :) I like my results a lot, Here is what I did, :P
http://licerl.deviantart.com/art/Passion-Fire-242625617
I’m trying to make this on a program called Adobe Fireworks. I’m a little inexperience so I don’t know how to warp it on step 12. Can someone help?
hi,just wondering is there any way to create the flame on a colorful background instead of black?
http://deltajade.deviantart.com/#/d41k7yv
Made this with help from your tut! Much thanks <3
cant get the fire sparks to be the same color as the fire. whenever i paint the color is 50% grey that the tutorial said to choose. How do i fix this?
Can someone please help me with Step 15. When I change the flame to Vivid Light, it does not look like the tutorial. I don’t know what I am doing wrong. Please help!
When I change it to Vivid light, it looks like this :
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/849/fireh.jpg/
instead of this
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/846/fireok.jpg/
Hi,
I was just wondering how exactly did you get the sparks to be the same color as the flames, because after following every step over and over again. I keep getting GRAY spots instead of the flame color. And I’m using CS5 and well I am also having trouble with step 15.
Thnx for any help.
Hey
I got the same problem and no solution yet…
Maybe the effect is different in CS5 and so the tutorial is not working anymore at Step 15 ?
gives me such a great help…:D
My First work , thank you
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67350126@N04/6130095312/in/photostream
Can someone send me the flame image, i never receive the confirmation email from the webage that hosts it
OMG ! I follow ur tutorial and I edit these two images as you described n I learned many things 4m it.
Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnk uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu so much !
Beautiful!!! Work of art. Congratulations.
By the way, what is the song name in the youtube tutorial?
this is a damn impressive photo manipulation, big thanks for the tutorial.
here’s what i whipped up:
http://d.pr/nwRe
thanks! worked perfectly:)
Made this using the tutorial above in only 15 minutes with my own little twist
I have a problem with the vidid light, doesn’t turn out as on the tutorial. I’m using photoshop CS 5. I’m also having problems with the step where you add hue/saturation and bright/contrast looks more fake after adding it. Can anyone help me out?
Great!! Very intresting Tutorial… Thanks Jayan!
thanks! worked perfectly:)
Worked perfectly, thanks alot for the guide!
Heres my second attemp http://s588.photobucket.com/albums/ss325/otokiroo/?action=view¤t=FlamingScarlet.jpg
This is nice man….
Some of the lessons does NOT work in photoshop CS 5.1
When you drag the flame image to into layer 1 copy 2 it will stay there, no layer 2 is created.
I have Photoshop CS 5.1 and now i have tried this for a week and its just not working.
The lessons is good in the beginning because it´s for beginners, but then the author suddenly thinks we are pros.
” I assume you already know how to use the liquify filter”
Why do you assume that i had to ask, you were talking to beginners and now we suddenly are not?
I don´t get it. (other than most of computer-people are very, very bad to explain in general, why that is I tried to find out for 14 years now, without any results)
Thanx Mr Jayan Saputra
wowwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Useful post……….thank you…..
ITs awsum :-)
For whatever reason my sparks from Step 22 actually come out 50% grey… am I missing something? -___-