There are a plethora of ways to treat a portrait for a myriad of uses, but that is for another feature. Let's tackle adding drama or a cinematic quality to a regular, humdrum portrait. Let's even throw in a little bit of faking HDR. That way if you work on a project that requires a stunning shot without the stunning photography, you'll be able to cobble something together using your mad skillz!
Final Image Preview
This tutorial is for intermediate Photoshop users. Take a look at the image we'll be creating. Want access to the full PSD files and downloadable copies of every tutorial, including this one? Join Psd Plus for just $9/month. You can view the final image preview below. View the final image below or a larger version here.
Video Tutorial
Our video editor Gavin Steele has created this video tutorial to compliment this text + image tutorial.
Asset Preparation
The images I've used are: The man, the cloud, the water drops 1, and water drops 2. As always feel free to use your own images, however you may need to tweak the settings of any of the steps to get the right effect with different assets.
Step 1
Open the man image from iStockphoto and separate him from the background. Use whichever method you're comfortable with, I would usually use the Pen Tool, but I'll be honest, as he's got no hair to worry about and the background is white I kinda cheated. I used the, ahem, Magic Wand Tool to select the white. I then Feathered the selection by 1 pixel (Select > Feather), expanded it by 2 pixels (Select > Modify > Expand) and hit delete 2-3 times until the white halo disappeared. Call this layer "MAN." Select the Dodge Tool, set the Range to Highlights and the Exposure to 15% and run it over the Iris a couple of times. This should bring the eyes out a bit.
Step 2
Open up the cloud image from sxc.hu and import it into the document underneath the "MAN" layer. Resize it to about 130% and drag (Use the Select Tool, hold Alt and simply drag the cloud around the canvas) three duplicates. Overlap them as in the image below. Then select the eraser, set as a large soft-edged brush, and run it along the hard-edges where the cloud layers meet.
Step 3
Finally, select the Clone Tool, set it to a large (around 400 pixels) soft-edged (0% hardness) brush and clone out the obvious pattern repetitions. Choose multiple source points to avoid more obvious patterns.
Step 4
These next few steps are a lot easier if you have access to a graphics tablet, however you can still do it with a mouse. Create a Curves Adjustment Layer just above the "MAN" layer and check the box that's marked Use Previous Layer to Create a Clipping Mask. Set it up as shown and call it "CURVES_DARK." Select the "CURVES_DARK" layer mask and fill it with black, this should hide the effects of the Curves.
Select the Paintbrush Tool and set it to 0% Hardness, 15% Opacity and 65% Flow. Change the Brush size to suit the part of the image you're treating. Obviously the bigger the brush, the smoother the transition. Set the Foreground Color to White and begin painting directly on the Layer Mask. Some areas require more work than others so don't be scared of going over some patches several times.
Check the image below for approximate brush sizes to use. Cover both the skin and clothing. There is no exact science to this, it's a lot of trial and error.
To get the finer details you'll need to reduce the brush size right down. The eyelashes as an example required a 3 pixel brush, but I increased the opacity to around 40 percent. I did the same with the wrinkles and other hard-edges.
Ultimately, your Layer Mask should resemble this (press Alt and click on the Layer Mask to see where you've painted on the mask). I didn't quite do enough on the Mask and there are three ways to rectify this. Option 1 is to double-click on the Layer Thumbnail (this is represented, in this case, by a circle that's half black and half grey). Adjust the Curves to produce a darker result. Option 2 is to continue painting on the Layer Mask, but you risk messing up your good work. Option 3 is to duplicate the Curves Adjustment Layer, then you can scale back the effect by tweaking the Layer Opacity.
Step 5
Again, all you peeps with a graphics tablet are going to find this a lot easier. Create another Curves Adjustment Layer above "MAN" and "CURVES_DARK" on the layer palette. Check the box that's marked Use Previous Layer to Create a Clipping Mask and call it "CURVES_LIGHT." Pull the upper part of the line upwards to lighten the image. Note: How much you manipulate the Curves layers (including "CURVES_DARK") affects how much you'll need to draw on the Layer Mask and how much you'll need to tweak the overall exposure later on.
Fill the "CURVES_LIGHT" Layer Mask with black and Draw directly onto it with a soft-edged brush loaded with white. Again pick the brush size and opacity to match the area you're treating. If you overdo an area, load your brush with black and go over the problem area.
You're looking to paint over all the areas where there are highlights. To strengthen things like the wrinkles, you should paint light next to the dark but not over it. Paint up to hard-edges with a small brush and then away from it with a large brush to diffuse the transition.
Alt-click on your Layer Mask thumbnail to see where you've painted on it. It should resemble the image below. Note the Layers palette as well, all my layers are currently on Normal at 100% Opacity and Fill. The little arrow next to the Layer thumbnail signifies that it's using the lower layer as a clipping mask.
If yours don't, then select the "CURVES" layer and go to Layer > Create clipping mask. To mask off any areas you require a hard-edge such as the bottom of the nose, simply draw around it using the Pen Tool, turn the path into a selection and paint onto the appropriate Layer Mask.
Step 6
Create a Gradient Map Adjustment Layer above "MAN," "CURVES_DARK" and "CURVES_LIGHT." Use the underlying layers as a Clipping Mask. Set the Gradient Map as shown below and then change the Layer Blending Mode to Soft Light and the Opacity to 75%. Now you could tweak the hue/saturation, play with the channel mixer and add a nice studio-esque background and stop there for now. But let's carry on and add some real drama to this.
Step 7
Add a Gradient Map Adjustment Layer below "MAN" and above "CLOUD." Input the darker color as #164370 (a darkish blue) and the lighter color as #e2dc9a (a muddy yellow). OK this, then set the Layer Blending Mode as Soft Light and change the Layer Opacity to 68%. Add a Curves Adjustment Layer directly below the Gradient Map. Adjust as shown and then change the Layer Opacity to 60%. Your Layers palette should that shown below.
Step 8
Add a new layer directly above "CLOUD" and fill it with 60% black. Set the Blending Mode to Overlay (it should disappear). Select the Burn Tool and set to a big brush (917 diameter, 0% hardness), set the Range to Midtones and the Exposure to around 15%. Then burn around the corners to create a vignette. Call the layer "VIGNETTE" and adjust the Opacity to suit. Mine ended up at 77%.
Step 9
Create a new layer directly above "MAN" (using "MAN" as a Clipping Path) and another directly below the "CLOUD_CURVES" and "GRADIENTMAP" layers. Call the new layers "WHITEGLOW." Select the Paintbrush Tool, load it with white and work on the layers as shown below. Create a soft, white glow below the man to lift him from the background. Then create a white glow above to bleed light from the background over the subject. Follow the pink path as shown, then go over a second time.
Step 10
This next step is a stylistic choice as we're going for a stylized look. However, if you want a more naturalistic finish you can skip this part. Select all the layers currently linked with "MAN."
Then go to Filter > Stylize > Glowing Edges and set up as shown.
We want to knock out the midtones on this so go to Image > Adjustments > Levels and set up as shown.
Then change the Layer Blending Mode to Screen and drop the Opacity down to around 34%. Duplicate this layer and set the duplicate Blending Mode to Overlay, change the Opacity to around 13%. I also masked off areas around the chin on the original Glowing Edges Layer (Screen, 34%).
Step 11
Duplicate the "CLOUD" layer and drag it above the "GLOW_EDGES" layers. Apply a 2-3 pixel Gaussian Blur, then set the Layer Blending Mode to Screen and the Opacity to 50%. Take a soft-edged Eraser and delete all parts of the cloud that spill over the face and details. Duplicate the layer and drag it until you get a fairly even coverage of mist at the bottom of the image. Call these layers "CLOUD_BLURRED."
Step 12
Download the water drops 1 image from sxc.hu and open it. Go to Image > Rotate Canvas > 180 degrees. Erase the bigger ball of water and the broken balloon part.
Then select the Burn Tool, set it to Shadows with an Exposure of 35% and run it along where you've erased. This should give a more realistic blend.
Paste it into your document directly above the "CLOUD_BLURRED" layers and set the Blending Mode to Screen. Position on the shoulder so that the condensed drips line up with the mans shoulder. You will need to rotate it to fit. Then drag a duplicate of this layer along the shoulder, rotate and fit. Call these layers "DROPS_RIGHT."
Duplicate both "DROPS_RIGHT" layers and with the duplicates selected go to Edit > Transform > Flip Horizontal. Rotate them to fit the line of the shoulder and rename them both "DROPS_LEFT."
Download and open the water drops 2 image from sxc.hu. We only want the drops here so delete the Balloon and the denser part of the water (Eraser and then Burn Tool). Paste into the Working document, change Blending Mode to Screen. To get smaller bits of spray simply resize to make them smaller.
To get drops of rain, drag a duplicate and resize bigger. Make several copies until you get a good spread. Use the Clone Tool to get a more precise covering. Then group the layers, select the group and go to Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal all. Use this Mask to soften the impact of the rain, remove any drops covering detail and give it an overall clean up.
Step 13
Create a new layer directly above the "WATER_DROPS" group (the rain and stuff) and call it "STARBURST." Fill it with 60% black and go to Filter > Noise > Add Noise and set up as shown below.
Then go to Filter > Blur > Radial Blur. Apply a Zoom blur as shown. The Blur center should be just on the mans shoulder. If you don't hit that, then just reposition the layer and resize it so it fills the entire canvas.
Finally, adjust the Levels as in the image below and set the Layer Blending Mode to Overlay. As 60% is pretty much an overlay neutral color, and the levels are well balanced out, it shouldn't affect the whole image. Add a Layer Mask to mask out any areas that you don't want rays. I masked out parts of the face and shirt.
Step 14
Create a new layer directly above "STARBURST" and call it "FAKE_RAIN." Fill it with 60% black, add noise (as you did for "STARBURST") and then resize it.
Then go to Filter > Blur > Motion Blur.
Bring up the blending options (click the f symbol in the black circle at the bottom of layers palette) and pull the black Layer Slider across to 130.
Apply a Small Gaussian Blur.
And a Smart Sharpen filter.
Finally, tweak the Levels and set the Layer Blending Mode to Hard Light.
Step 15
Duplicate "FAKE_RAIN," call it "FAKE_RAIN_BGROUND" and move it below the "VIGNETTE" layer on the layers palette. Rotate it 10 degrees or so and change the Layer Opacity to 75%.
Step 16
Create a new Gradient Map Adjustment Layer directly above "FAKE_RAIN." Set the darker color as #075053 and the lighter color as white. Then set the Layer Blending Mode to Color with an Opacity of 55%. Add a Layer Mask (Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal All), grab a large soft-edged brush, load it with black, reduce brush Opacity to 20% and paint over the face area a couple of times.
Step 17
Add a Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layer directly above the Gradient Map you just created. Pull the Saturation slider down to -68% and OK it. At this staged I added a Layer Mask and masked off some of the red tie using the a soft-edged brush at 25% Opacity.
Step 18
Add a Curves Adjustment Layer above that and set up as shown below. It's looking pretty moody now, time to add the finishers on this.
Step 19
Create a new layer above the three new Adjustment Layers and call it "OVERLAY_DODGE/BURN." Fill it with 60% black and change the Layer Blending Mode to Overlay. Using the Dodge and Burn Tools we're going to further boost some highlights and a couple of shadows.
Here's how it looks with the changes.
Here's roughly what your "OVERLAY_DODGE/BURN" layer should look like on Normal Blending Mode. Notice that some areas are whiter than others, those areas have been painted on more times than the darker parts. Layering it up is the key to a smooth and natural transition.
Step 20
As a little salad garnish I've added a lens flare. Fill a new layer with black. Go to Filter > Render > Lens Flare and pick 105mm prime. The default settings should be fine. Set the lens flare Layer Blending Mode to Screen and position it above the shoulder. It's worth mentioning that I also applied a small amount of noise, followed by a Gaussian Blur (around 4 pixels) and then a smart sharpen (around 150 at 7 pixels).
Step 21
Select all of your layers and duplicate them. Merge all the duplicated layers into one, making sure you leave the originals untouched. Duplicate the merged layer and name one "HIGH_PASS" and one "INVERTED." Select "HIGH_PASS" and go to Filter > Other > High Pass. OK a 2 pixel pass and then set the Layer to Overlay. Mask off any sections you feel are too strong, I did the starburst area a little.
Step 22
Select the "INVERTED" layer and desaturate it (Command + Shift + U). Then invert it (Command + I), apply a 40 pixel Gaussian Blur and then set the Layer Blending Mode to Overlay. It's a little much so drop the Layer Opacity to around 45% or whatever you're comfortable with.
Conclusion
You should be left with a highly editable image. Adjust Layer Opacities, fine-tune Layer Masks, play with Adjustment Layers or even turn visibility of some of the layers off. Even without the rain and the clouds and whatnot, what you're left with is a way to make portraits punchier. View the final image below or a larger version here.
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User Comments
( ADD YOURS )Keith April 27th
Great photo effects, but the picture just creaps me out. Good tutorial though.
( )joel April 28th
Ya I know, love the tutorial, but the picture creapy… kinda looks like SLOTH!?
( )fool May 28th
It’s spelled creepy
( )adam May 31st
that totally crepes me out! rofl
Sathish April 27th
Woww!! Looks awesome!! I’m the first to comment!!
( )geir b nystad April 29th
no your not
( )I have never stolen a car April 29th
Don’t listen to him. I think you are first to comment, and so I am!
( )lol May 18th
but hes not…
Aleeeex April 27th
Nice one
( )DEE April 27th
THE IMAGE OF THE GUY AND HIS FACIAL EXPRESSION IS DISTURBING
( )Denny April 27th
Very true indeed!
( )Corey April 27th
Very cool, thanks!
( )Joshua April 27th
This is exactly what I’ve been looking for
( )roders May 3rd
same
( )Neill April 27th
Very nice effect. Thanks.
( )Diego SA April 27th
Awesome, some techniques are just incredibles, but this guy is weird…
( )gar April 27th
omg, nice
( )ddz April 27th
very nice effect…smooth technique
using a tablet is a must in these cases
( )Sjoap April 27th
Haha, how to make a blank man a black one OMFG
( )Tyler April 27th
There are some great techniques here. Thanks!
( )Constantin Potorac April 27th
Great tutorial and awesome work. Really clean and useful. Congratulations
( )pica-ae April 27th
whow! quite awesome outcome
( )omghahaha April 27th
HAHAHAHAHA @ Sathish for thinking he’s first to comment, these things make my day.
( )brian April 27th
one of my favorites
( )Miss V April 27th
Fantastic tutorial. thank you!
( )Saro April 27th
Awesome, i’ll try this out soon with a photo of myself
( )nic April 27th
Best tutorial I have seen! Looks fantastic
( )Joe April 27th
Most likely the best tutorial I’ve ever seen on this site. Can’t wait to actually follow it and see my results.
( )BobN April 27th
What is it with this fascination with Draganizing and Lucis Arts? I mean, that’s the look you’re after. You can get it in seconds with Topaz for $39. And it will look just like every other photo using that same boring filter. I’m sorry, but I just don’t see what the attraction is. Portrait photographers go ga-ga over it.
( )VertigoSFX April 27th
Wow excellent techniques…really great outcome.
( )Mark April 27th
Great outcome
( )Mike April 27th
This is really great
( )Benjamin April 27th
I agree with others. I am totally creep’d out.
I am off to seek my happy place.
( )Rachelle April 27th
I like the effects of this picture…i need to try this out!
( )Dullface April 27th
Awsome awsome awsome awsome! Can’t put words on how awsome this is! Been looking for a good tutorial on this effect for ages!
( )rishteria April 27th
Thanx for your job! it’s really cool!
( )Wojciech Pijecki April 27th
Great tutorial and some nice techniques, thumbs up ; )
( )Eric Shafer April 27th
Pretty awesome techniques, I was skeptical at first but the end result rocks.
Featured here: http://www.presidiacreative.com/web-picks-19/
( )Lauren April 27th
I am lost at the beginning when you reference using the previous layer as a layer mask on the curves adjustment and filling it with black. My curves adjustment looks different (cs3) and I cannot get it to your adjustments in the visual. I selected layer – use previous as mask – made the curve as described – selected the brush – set foreground to white…it just isn’t happening the way you instruct. Please advise – help.
( )JamesZilla April 27th
Did you fill the Curves Adjustment Layer Mask with black? The point is to make the Curves adjustment layer and then hide it’s effects so that you can gradually reveal parts of it with the paintbrush.
( )praeter design April 27th
Your last one was your best… and now you’ve beaten it!
( )Paris Vega April 27th
I’ve been wondering about this specific effect for a long time. Every time I saw movie poster it reminded me of my ignorance, but no more. Thanks JamesZilla.
( )lawrence77 April 27th
James Davies welcome 7th tutorial here…….
Day by day your tutorials are awesome!
I like this really amazing……..
Gonna try soon!
Lawrence 
( )Sergio Ordóñez April 27th
One of the best tutorials I have seen in this site, lot of useful things to learn here.
Thanks
( )Phenotype April 27th
FINALLY! Been waiting for a Tut like this for a LONG time.
( )lawrence77 April 27th
yeah you are right Phenotype!
( )Jarod Taylor April 27th
I think he’s poo’ing.
( )Vidra April 27th
Great skills and effects. Good stock picture. Ugly man XD
( )Robs April 27th
Great tutorial! The effects on this picture is just amazing!
( )Nikhil April 27th
Wow, What a great effect….
Great read tut…….
( )s April 27th
man, that guy has some serious dandruff.
I like the desaturated look you get in step 17.
( )macias April 27th
yep , it is “must have” tutorial
thx a lot
( )Johnson Koh April 27th
Really good techniques here. Nice one!
( )Chris April 27th
Nice Tut
Shouldn’t the Radial Blur be behind the man?
( )Gyrel Dagooc April 27th
very good photo effects!!! Nice techniques! 5*
( )Thu April 27th
Great tutorials !!! Thanks for uploading
( )imsraaia April 28th
nice effect…
( )rawcat April 28th
Very nice and detailed tut. Dont like the eyes but thats personal taste I guess.
( )Keep it up.
Irving April 28th
i think the technique is great but the outcome doesn’t really have that wow factor.
( )tibô April 28th
nice and simple
( )piervix April 28th
Great tutorial… the rain effetc is very good!
( )Mikey April 28th
awesome tutorial! I really like it
good work
( )ELody April 28th
One of the best from a very long time … simple techniques but so powerfull, and I learnt or remembered some couple of tricks too
( )Keep on the good work and tut !
andotron April 28th
Thats probably one of the best tutorials on here!
( )Omar April 28th
Wicked tutorial
( )Al Shepard April 28th
Amazing lesson, I’ve been looking for something like this for quite some time. Thanks!
( )Glue April 28th
I honestly don’t see what all the hubbub is about. The final result is good, but I think it should be a cityscape or something, not some random guy popping out of clouds.
( )Rafael Ohana April 28th
One of the best tutorials !!! Thx a lot !!!
( )Kris April 28th
LOL the comments always crack me up. First of all EXCELLENT JOB with this tutorial, and thank you for making it one of the free ones. I have been working on my own angle for a very similar technique, but you have really shown me some better.. faster steps.
To all the “professionals” on here. Why is it that you have to tear down this guys ability so harshly? If your technique is that much better, then post a link to your Flikr page so that we ALL get to basque in your Phostoshop glory.
The purpose of many filters is to replicate (as best it can) the intensely detailed process of photo manipulation and post-processesing. So what a particular style has been played out for you. It hasn’t been for everyone else.
What joy is there for anyone here to simply hit a button to add ANY wow factor to an image? Isn’t that why we are all here? To learn how to use this tool we call photoshop? Your simply not a dedicated artist if you think that this tutorial or the final outcome was just a waste of time because you can get the “same” effect with a $39 plugin.
Whatever man. This tutorial expresses real talent. The final image could easily grace the cover of any major magazine and that is what people are looking for. REAL talent.
( )Juri May 16th
Hear hear.
As a relative photoshop n00b (everything beyond the basics is like magic to me) tutorials like these are perfect for me to learn how to use certain techniques.
It might be over done for these so called experts (and I use the term lightly) but not all of us have been going at it for years and years and can actually use these “over done” methods.
( )PCP July 21st
Well said.
( )Kuldar Kalvik April 28th
Holy snap! And THAT’S why psdtuts is above all other tutorial sites! Love it!
( )Ignacio April 28th
The effect and the technique is really good, but I think that is a very bad choice of photo for this effect.
( )Henrik Pedersen August 3rd
Why? I love the effect his face is given… A little girl from a nice sommerday wasn’t going to be good either?
( )Rafi April 28th
why the hell has every idiot has to post a comment like “Im first”. its not even fkucin funny…
( )MOH@MEDia April 28th
Very nice tutorial, i was always wondering how can i make this cinematic effect.
( )Thank you
MOH@MEDia April 28th
Very nice tutorial, i was always wondering how can i make this cinematic effect
( )Thank you
Kris April 28th
ROFL..
What does it matter what photo was chosen?
( )brendan April 28th
oh yeah !
( )dev.My April 28th
This really is a good tutorial
( )Jennifer Farley April 29th
Absolutely superb tutorial and I LOVE the final look. A lot of work went into it and it looks great.
( )gsenthil April 29th
great job! thanks for sharing
( )Andris April 29th
Thanx a lot for this awesom tut. Here’s what I ended up with: http://www.andrislinz.ch/head-in-the-clouds
( )CgBaran Tuts April 29th
Great tutorial thanks
( )Filip April 29th
WOW overkill to damn good for on best.. hehe! =) nicely done mate
( )ricardo April 29th
Badass tecnic!! i learned a lot with this one well done keep it up.
( )Erick G. April 29th
This was a perfect tutorial that was based on effective techniques. very well put. i enjoyed it, and I can’t wait for more of you publications
( )Cherry Seim April 29th
Thank you for sharing your knowledge
( )Ralph April 29th
That´s great tuturial and help myself to understand much more about a photoshop technicals, thank very much and keep help us.
( )Twenstudio April 29th
Amazing Effcet Thank you !
( )Mchilly April 29th
Nice one…
( )tika April 29th
i like it, i wanna to try it…
( )-_- April 30th
hey for all of u that says “y this pic” ” y not another model” ” the pic freaks me out” u not paying attetion that this is a tutorial not a gallery here u learn effects and compare techniques if u wanna see cool pics go to flickr or google for it.
btw nice tut and thx for make it free
( )Mark April 30th
superb
( )volcanono April 30th
i will try it that is so cool~
( )Isis April 30th
The colors are really good to me!
( )daavidd April 30th
greatttt,
( )Alex April 30th
Very nice, I love this.
( )YWL May 1st
i LIKE THIS TUT V MUCH! tHANKS!;)…
( )Marie Maier May 1st
it would have been better to be able to have seen each of the effects his tool changes made at the time he was making them. What was happening seemed “underneath” and the tool experience was missed.
Ill come back and view it again. The ending was very exciting–but I want to see how to get there!
( )helder leal May 2nd
Looks like the cover of the movie Spirit! great
( )Afrix May 2nd
Great tut looks fantastic ; ]
( )Blueice May 3rd
Absolutely fantastic! i have been using this technique on my own photography and it is very impressive.. has really helped me to apply styles to poster art for my work. Thank you ver very much.
( )Tammy May 3rd
good effect, too hard to follow for me though
( )Peter - Netlumination Design May 4th
Fantastic tutorial. It’ll take me quite a while to digest all the techniques.
I wonder what the guy’s doing. Kind of looks like he’s sitting on the toilet in a thunder storm.
I think glowing edges was a great idea to get that subtle little pop.
( )Labeed Assidmi May 4th
This is one of those “save as fav.” kinda tuts.
( )GREAT!
Iva May 4th
Wow! I used your tutorial as basic guidelines on effects themselves and I played around a bit and what I got actually surprised me. Ta-dah!
( )nic May 4th
Loved this tutorial, here is my interpretation
( )http://www.flickr.com/photos/23795288@N07/3498960926/
Chip May 4th
Newbie question…
Re: “Open up the cloud image from sxc.hu and import it into the document underneath the “MAN” layer.”
How do you do this?
I have struggled for an hour and can only open the clouds as a separate image,
I can’t get both images to appear in the layers list at the same time.
Thanks!
( )James Davies May 7th
Open up the cloud image and either select it all (CTRL+A) then copy (CTRL+C) and then select your working document. Select the layer underneath MAN on the layers palette and paste (CTRL+V) this will paste whatever is on your clipboard (the cloud) onto a new layer below MAN. OR use the Move Tool to drag the cloud from it’s window into the working document window and then change the clouds position on the layers palette.
Hope that helps
( )Omer September 26th
Just like James instructed and also if ur using photoshop cs+ version, select the layer you wanna paster the image below and then file/place locate the image and ur done.
Be sure to rasterize the image that you just placed: right click on layer name and then ‘rasterize’ it or select the layer and layer/rasterize/later.
I use this method may be because I just use illustrator very much:)
( )Igor Formiga May 4th
http://www.flickr.com/photos/igorformiga/3502562871/
THANK YOU SO MUCH MAN!
That’s one of the more extraordinary thing I ever learned!
Keep posting these kind of material!
Best regards from Brazil!
( )Labeed Assidmi May 5th
I keep coming back to this …so many things you can do with this.. If you watch the video its even better.
He kinda sounds like he has a bad flue or something but anyway this GREAT!!!
( )VIKTOR May 5th
EXTRA!!!! CERY COOL TUTORIAL!! THANKS!!
( )Brian May 5th
actually learned some new techniques here for once. Nice post.
( )jwalker May 5th
really useful techniques and adjustments here, thanks!
heres my effort
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jwalker2009/3505280723/
( )Jon May 6th
Awesome tutorial, some really interesting techniques, especially the fake rain and inverted layer at the end.
Here’s my version: http://www.flickr.com/photos/arkstudio/3507610626/
( )gkdesign May 6th
juss…awesome
( )Noah May 6th
How to turn a creepy bank manager in to a GOD! lol
( )James May 7th
Great tutorial! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge
Here’s my attempt:
http://vent32.deviantart.com/art/Vamp-Girl-121720602
( )Greg May 17th
Good work, James!
( )bhel May 7th
WOW!!! this one rocks!!! can’t wait to try this out. thank you for the post!
( )sharetheknowledge May 8th
WHY … I am embarassed for the so called techno-d*cks out there who feel the desire to post sheit saying: bad picture, why didn’t you do this, can’t you do that, I am a whiner, I’m a hater, I can’t wipe my own arse if given a flashlight and a TomTom. Again, I ditto my pards out there who stated that if they are so flippen great, where are THEIR links to the photos. If they have em’ GREAT. Shut up and share. We are all here to learn, not to read fluff to chastize the original poster of the TUT. I am here to learn, I don’t CARE if it’s beginner, I don’t care if it looks like the guy is taken a dump in Gods castle. I DON’T CARE. Try being grateful that it is free being that we have to deal with the MORONS at Adobe for help and those jackasses don’t even understand 1 WORD that you are saying even if YOUR English is perfect. Come on people, be grateful, try and say thank you or shut the funk up. Noones interested in your haterizm. KEEP UP THE SHARES, and THANKS to the people who PUT UP THEIR OWN LINKS. I learn something from EACH AND EVERY SHARE. I don’t care what it is. Noone knows EVERYTHING about PS, if they did – there would be no UPDATES or TUTS to speak of. DUH.
( )John Dangerous May 8th
Sweet. I see a lot of agencies treating photos like this. Would be cool to see more like this.
( )photo retouching May 9th
A truly inspirational bit of photo retouching or should I rather say art.
( )emy May 9th
fantastic lesson thanks for your explain
( )Egein Bara May 10th
Bloody cool…OMG I love this
( )Trin May 12th
I love this tutorial!
Here’s my outcome: http://img4.abload.de/img/poorkid2yaf7.png
( )Lipi May 13th
great!
( )Phoebian May 14th
Can anyone tell me how to do step 2…
“Overlap them as in the image below. Then select the eraser, set as a large soft-edged brush, and run it along the hard-edges where the cloud layers meet.”
I have overlaped the images but I cant seem to slowly rub out the lines smoothing the pictures together.
( )andi May 15th
nice, but, it made him look about 15 years older
( )zack perdue May 15th
i just got done doing this effect on my graduation picture. i love how it turned out!
( )Krzycho_666 May 16th
Hahaha…. I always do thesame ;D – I love this effect
I thought that it is only my concept ;P But now I see that it’s not 
( )Jaz May 17th
Thanks so much for this tutorial. I learned a lot and even tried to do it myself as I was watching the video. Hehehe.
Keep it up. Want to learn more.
( )Greg May 17th
Awesome tutorial… agreed with earlier poster that it is a “save as fav” type of tutorial.
Not sure wth is up with people thinking the picture is weird or creepy. It’s just some bored/bemused looking bald dude.
( )rakuda May 18th
this is stupendous, the final image looks like HDR photography. Amazing!
( )sean sumido May 19th
OOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOODDDDD!!
this is EXACTLY what i am looking for!!!!!!
tnx
( )Pulang Bagani May 20th
Thanks James, it kinda remind me of the movie poster of 2 Fast 2 Furious (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Two_fast_two_furious_ver5.jpg) only this one is much better.
( )andres May 21st
OMG, you are a masters…impresionant…wow, im aprentice to potoshop…nice nice nice result…
( )Brako May 22nd
This was a great tutorial!!! Here’s my pass
http://www.brakomedia.com/blog
( )huwaw69 May 25th
whats a humdrum? great technique man! thanks for sharing it really helped me to edit one of the images i wanna do…
( )Binder Adzowry May 26th
Impressive
( )Lex May 26th
Thanks for this tuts
( )Anna May 30th
Can you just please stop being so good at editing? KTHXBYE
( )mike June 2nd
I cant seem to find the option that says “use current layer as mask” please help
( )mike June 2nd
Nevermind! I was using the icon in layers palette not the option from the layers menus, wow I feel dumb
( )erick June 2nd
what a helpful tutorial?! awesome…it’ll really assist my work…thx
( )Tavis Glover June 9th
Whew! Finally finished it. It was a long one, but definitely worth the time. Lots of great techniques in there. I like the way the image turns out looking almost like a Frank Miller image from his movies 300 or Sin City. Cool tut, thanks!
( )Rakan June 11th
what a helpful tutorial?! awesome…it’ll really assist my work…thx
( )Chayo June 21st
intense but worth it! The videos are much easier to learn from.
( )Peter June 26th
Thanks for this great tutorial!
( )Macold June 30th
Genial hermoso efecto, great, beautifull effect
( )Thank
Babar June 30th
This is perhaps one of the best tutorials ive seen..and all the time i was wondering how they do it at the agencies!! now i kno…thanks James.
( )imtiak July 1st
i love it and u
( )mojitopl July 3rd
just great.
The ways and techniques that are used here to get to some points, to achieve some effects are so unbelievably suprising and leaving much more place for control and creativity that common and easy ways!
Again… THANK YOU!
( )Landscape Photography July 12th
mmm, I prefer being creped out to creeped out
Fantastic tut, and effect I had been wondering how to do for a long time.
It is kinda creepy though… mainly due to the look on his face i think!
( )George July 17th
Great effect , good tutorial, but i cant make it right because i have cs 3 and i think this tutorial is on cs2 … there are a few options changed in new photoshop so… Can i get a tutorial for cs3? THANKS!
( )Juergen July 18th
Very well written – thanks for the effort and sharing this tricks!
( )Humza July 26th
This is totally stunning!. Thank you so much for this =D
( )Andrea August 5th
Hi, Thanks for the tut.
( )I’ve a question at step 10. I’ve selected all layers linked to man, but when I go to filter I cannot pick any of them, I cannot pick the level adjustment either. Could you help me please?
h1brd August 17th
Awesome Final Result. Great Advanced Tutorial for Free, Awesome Work. Thanks for sharing.
( )Starlitice August 18th
I can’t use filters with more than 1 layer selected, why is that??
( )Nice tut anyway!
Lucas Tadeu August 18th
Great tut, loved the final result.
( )Dave August 31st
Final result is great. Nice step by step process. Thanks
( )jorge August 31st
its golem’s as supermodel lol
( )wien September 4th
cool
( )tonella September 6th
Fantastic tutorial, master!
I’ve learned some new techniques and I found inspiration for my work
Here is my work : http://www.flickr.com/photos/42224511@N02/3892710523/?edited=1
( )shinhwang September 7th
really good tutorial,thanks
ah…but need to change the image,i really dislike it…
( )CMYK September 10th
Nice tutorial!!!!!!! Thankssssss
( )Uwe Noelke September 16th
this very detailed tutorial is just great. Thanks for this deep insight in your work
( )jossion September 21st
cool..
( )Jason September 29th
Video Tutorial didn’t work.
( )sachin d October 6th
Really nice one Inspiring Tuts
and i found inspiration
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.
.
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check this out
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32015383@N06/3987242379/sizes/o/
( )Andrew October 8th
The water drops 1 & 2 photos are no longer available on http://www.sxc.hu and I am having trouble finding other photographs that will work in their place. Anyone else having this problem, or found solutions? Could someone post a link to alternate water/rain/splash photos? Much appreciated!
( )xsh4dow October 13th
i have the same problem finding the right water splash and drops.could someone who have it upload it for us ?
( )Sirena October 14th
my godness.. AMAZING
( )manoj October 28th
Really nice one very goooooooood
( )احلى ايام November 2nd
very veery very naaaaaaaaaaaaaaic
( )Paul November 2nd
This guy looks to have copied your tutorial without giving credit?
http://csscreme.com/tutorials/photoshop-tutorials/cinematic_poster_photoshop_tutorial
( )