Scary Challenge

Step 1 - Re-sized the image. Masked out the background of the photograph. Used the pen tool to create the selection around the boys and the brush tool for the softer areas around the hair etc. Used levels adjustment layer to colour correct the boys. Cleaned spots with clone tool. Created new layer and traced lines on mask to enhance the detail. Used a solid colour adjustment layer set to colour blend mode to add colour to the masks. Added some shading to the masks on a new layer.

Step2 - Placed wallpaper image of haunted house on new background layer. I didn’t like the sky and the trees on this haunted house image so I masked off the sky and cloned the trees away. Re-created the sky using the clouds filter the colour was changed using a hue/saturation adjustment layer. The stars were added on a new layer filled with grey with blending mode set to soft light.

Step3 - The trees are vector graphics placed on layers with a blend mode set to multiply.

Step4 - The mist was created on a new layer set to 70% using the clouds filter and then free transforming using perspective to give the horizontal effect. The mist was masked off with a soft brush and used a hue/saturation adjustment layer to change the colour.

Step5 - The lightning was created on a black layer with the blend mode set to screen. Then coloured with a hue/saturation adjustment layer. This technique I picked up from the master himself Bert Monroy.

Step6 - The moon graphic was placed on a new layer between the background and the trees. I used levels to lighten the moon and blurred it to soften the edges. It was given an outer glow layer style.

Step7 - Finally the bats. I used two graphics for the bats, one hanging in the tree a one flying. The flying bat was duplicated and free transformed 7 times to different sizes.

 

Time taken: approx 1hr 20mins

 

Done