This Photoshop tutorial teaches intermediate composition techniques including color balancing, hue/saturation, and blending modes. Over the course of 11 steps, the tutorial guides the user in combining various stock images to create a Halloween-themed composite scene. Key steps include adding images like a witch, pumpkins, and clouds; adjusting colors of elements using tools like hue/saturation and color balance; and refining the composition by erasing certain image areas and overlapping elements. The final result is intended to enhance the user's skills in professional image composition and combining multiple assets into a cohesive design.

2. Tutorial Details:
Program: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Difficulty: Intermediate
Technique: Composition
Stocks:
mediafire :http://www.mediafire.com/?a5yezd75ijzophk
megaupload :http://www.megaupload.com/?d=1P97TBVH
(All stocks use are available in the link above)
This Tutorial is based on Color balance, Hue/Saturation, Blending Modes and Compostion. You will
learn how to create this professional layout and enhace your compositing skills. Some of the stocks
use were black and white but I added colour to it to make this tutorial easier for those who wish to
attempt it.
Step 1
Create a new file 8.5inches x 11inches with dpi 300
Color Mode: RBG
Background Contents : White
(Note this is a preset in photoshop better known as U.S. Paper)

3. Step 2
Now Drag the gradient stock onto the canvas and resize (Ctrl + T) it to fit like shown in the picture below.

4. Step 3
Now we're going to add the witch into the scene and resize her (Ctrl + T) and place her to the
center of the canvas at the point where the cirle glow originated.
Step 4
Now it time to add the aqua abstract object. We're going to rotate it 90 degrees to the left and place the
layer under the witch layer. Now it should look like this.
(Note you should Rasterize the layers so it will be editable to work on in the future)

5. Step 5
Now its time to add in the halloween pumpkins. Position the first pumpkin like this .
Now we're going to duplicate this layer and go to Edit>Transform>Flip Horizontal

6. Now we should position the 2nd pumkin like shown below also merge the layers and placing them
below the abstract object. Too merge layers hold ctrl and select the layers and then right click and select
Merge Layers. The end result should be looking like this.
Step 6
As you can see its starting to look pretty good note all we have been doing thus far is creating the
layout.
Now its time to work on the color scheme for this design we're going to add a paper texture above all

7. the layers and set the blending mode to overlay and erase the part where is covering the witch.
As you can realize the color of the pumpkins have change giving the pumpkin a rich color now this
technique is use to add either color or pattern to a object.
Lets continue now!!
Remember the gradient layer from earlier on? Well we are going to duplicate it and place it above all
layer and change the blending mode to overlay and change the FILL to 47%
This is to darken the edges. Results should look like this.

8. Next : we are going to be working on the edges creating a frame.
Step 7
Now we're going to add Crumpled Grunge Paper stock in and scale it to fit the screen (Ctrl + T)
Then we're going on the tools palette and select the Magic eraser tool.
Now we're going to select the white area on the Crumpled Grunge Paper stock. It will delete most of
the white area on the stock now we its time to apply these blending settings to
the layer. Blending Mode : Overlay Fill : 34%
After applying these settings take the erase tool and erase (using soft brush) any fragments left behind
in the center of the design.
Current Result
The color of the abstract object is totally off and not blending in to the scene its time to deal with this
matter. Next we're going to be using hue/saturation &color balance.
Step 8
Hue/Saturation & Color Balance

9. (Abstract Object)
Now we're going to duplicate the abstract object and go to (incase you make any mistakes)
Image >Adjustments> Hue/Saturation now.
Apply these settings
Select the abstract object go to Image> Adjustments>Color Balance
This window should pop up

10. Now apply these settings
Shadows
Midtones

11. Highlights
Hue/Saturation & Color Balance
(Witch)
The witch is still not blending in to the scene so we have to fix that so
lets use color balance again Edit>Adjustments>Color Balance
Shadow

12. Midtones
Sorry but I've made a mistake change the -19 to -15
Highlights

13. Preview

14. Step 9
There are 2 ways of doing this next step, this can be done either using photoshop or illustrator but i
prefer to do it in illustrator. You can use which ever one your more comfortable with. Create a new file
and draw this using the line tool.

15. Add it to the design and place it as shown below.
Its coming along nicely now time to add in some details. Lets use a cloud brush, to add in some clouds to
the scene. I did not include any brushes but you can use any cloud brush you have or download one at
devaintart. Create a new layer and add clouds in those areas.

16. I would really like to put in some more clouds but before I can do that a few minor changes and touch
ups must be made lets start with the abstract object. Duplicate the object and move the layer above the
witch layer and hide the layer.
Should be looking like this.
Now lets go back to the original, we have to erase certain portion of the abstract object using a soft
brush. Take your time and proceed with this step. See below to know where needs to be erase.

17. Now lets add some clouds in that area
Perfect!!
Now lets make the copy abstract object visble once again and erase areas to get the result shown below.

18. Now thats looking beautiful.
Step 10
In this step we going to cover to things the witch needs a golden tone so we will add the paper and
change the blending settings to soft light and opactiy to 51% place it to cover the witch and use a soft
brush to get rid of the unwanted region and the witch's face.
Also apply these Color Balance settings.
Shadow
Midtones

19. Lets change the -31 to -13
Highlight
Lets make that +34 instead
Preview

20. Step 10
Lets add in a few more stocks. Lets start with the bird stock.
Now lets add in the orbs. Firstly locate the orbs and open it in Photoshop. Go to the channel palette and
hide RBG and make alpha visble use to magic wand tool to select the orbs.

21. Now drag it in. Now place the orbs and position them like shown below.
Step 11
Lets add in the abstract spheres and a text.

22. Use the text tool and type "Halloween" use IMPACT FONT (grey) and rasterize the layer making it
editable (duplicate it before moving on) use the magic wand tool and select each letter now hide the
layer and hit shift+ctrl+c and the hit ctrl+v. Now move the layer.
Now go to the original and apply these blending settings.

23. Now use the text tool and type "abstract" IMPACT FONT (grey) and repeat the last step. Use these
blending settings.

24. Now the last thing go to the witch layer and go to Image>Adjustments>Shadow/Highlights
Add a Triangle into the design and place it as shown below. Select the Polygon Tool and change the sides
to 3 and select shape layers.

25. Settings after selecting polygon tool (change to 3).
Now add these final Color balance settings

26. Add a little saturation and use the eraser tool do a little touching up move round some of the objects
like shown in the final result and your done.
Note: Your final results all depends on saturation you gave the design where you place the objects
and how you resize the objects.
Final Results

27. Tutorial created by Stephon Simeon
Creative Innovator of Hyend Design Solution
Thank you for attempting and viewing this tutorial.