All stock download links are in the description.
Lets get started, duplicate the background. CTRL + J.
CTRL + T to select the image.
Right Click - Flip Horizontal.
Hit Enter when you're done.
Select the Crop Tool. ( C )
Crop the image as shown.
Hit Enter when you're done.
Zoom in using your Zoom Tool. (Z)
I'm going to cut out the tree.
You can use the Quick Selection Tool, or the Pen Tool.
I will use the Pen Tool. (P) to select the Pen Tool.
Take your time and select the tree.
I will speed this part up.
Once your entire selection has been made. Right Click - Make Selection.
Feather Radius 0 Pixels. Then hit OK.
CTRL + J to duplicate the tree selection.
CTRL + 0 to zoom back out.
I'm going to rename this new layer to "Tree"
I'm going to fix some of the branches, next to the tree.
Zoom in using your Zoom Tool. (Z)
Head over and select the Patch Tool.
Select around the branches.
CTRL + D to deselect.
You may need to experiment with different areas of the tree.
Continue to touch-up.
Next, we need to cut out the model.
You can use the Quick Selection Tool or the Pen Tool.
Zoom in using your Zoom Tool. (Z)
Select the Pen Tool. (P)
Take your time and select the entire model.
Once you get to the hair, make a selection like so.
Once the full selection has been made. Right Click - Make Selection.
Then hit OK.
CTRL + 0 to zoom back out.
Head up to Select - Select and Mask.
Select the Refine Edge Tool.
Take your time and only select the hair.
Output to: New layer with layer mask.
Then hit OK.
Select your Move Tool. (V) Then drag and drop.
CTRL + T to select the model.
Click the chain icon - This keeps the aspect ratio.
Resize the model as needed.
Hit Enter to accept changes.
Duplicate the model layer. CTRL + J.
Hide the bottom layer.
Right click on the top layer mask. - Apply layer mask.
I'm going to rename this layer to Model.
Create a new layer.
I'm going to rename this new layer to Models Shadow.
Drag it below the second model layer.
ALT click between the two layer to create a clipping mask.
Select layer 1. Right Click - Convert to SmartObject.
Head up to Filter - Blur Gallery - Tilt Shift.
I'm going to add the blur to the background. But keep some focus.
Drag downwards.
I'm going to set my blur at 12px. Then hit ok.
Select the Models Shadow layer.
Zoom in using your Zoom Tool. (Z)
Select the Brush Tool. (B)
Select a brush with soft edges.
Brush Opacity 50%.
Carefully add shadows.
Since this part is very time consuming, I'll speed it up!
CTRL + 0 to zoom back out.
Head up to Filter - Blur - Gaussian Blur.
I am going to set the Radius to 4.0 pixels. Then hit OK.
Select the model layer.
Head down and create a new layer.
Drag the new layer below the "Tree" layer.
Lets rename this layer to "Background light"
Lets change the foreground color to a nice orange tone.
Color Code: ff9c61
Then hit OK.
Be sure to use a large soft brush.
Add the light to the brightest parts of the background.
Change the Blending Mode - Screen.
Bring down the opacity level, if needed.
75% seems to work well.
Select the Model layer.
CTRL + SHIFT + N - Creates a new layer.
I'm going to rename this to Shadows and Highlights.
Use previous layer to create a clipping mask.
Change the Mode to Softlight.
Fill with 50% gray, then hit OK.
Head over and select the Burn Tool.
Range: Shadows
Exposure 35%
Zoom in using your Zoom Tool. (Z)
Using your Burn Tool. Start adding shadows.
Take your time!
As you can see, it makes a big difference.
Next, select our Dodge Tool, so we can add some highlights.
Range: Highlights.
Exposure: 30%.
Start adding highlights.
Take your time!
CTRL + 0 to zoom back!
Once again, adding shadows and highlights makes a huge difference.
Head down and create a new Adjustment Layer - Color Balance.
Clip to layer below.
Midtones: + 18 | +32 | -6
Then hit close.
CTRL + i to invert the layer mask.
Make sure your foreground color is set to white.
Start adding more highlights.
Once again, take your time.
Head down and create a new Adjustment Layer - Gradient Map.
Click on the gradient presets.
Select a nice gradient. You can download my free gradient pack. Link down below.
Then hit OK.
OK again.
Bring down the opacity to about 22%.
Create a new adjustment layer - Color Balance.
Select Shadows
0, +5, +9
Select Midtones.
- 22, -8, +7
Select Highlights.
-3, -7, -2
Then hit close.
I'm going to add some particles to the background.
Select your Move Tool. (V) Then drag and drop onto our project.
Lets bring it below the tree layer.
Change the Blending Mode to Screen.
Position the particles as needed. Move Tool. (V)
I'm going to bring down the opacity to about 65%.
Select our top adjustment layer.
Then head down and create a new layer.
I'm going to rename this new layer to more light.
Select an orange tone as your foreground color.
Start adding a bit of light.
Change the Blending Mode to Linear Dodge (ADD)
Adjust the opacity if needed.
CTRL + SHIFT + ALT + E - Merge all visible layers.
Right click - Convert to SmartObject.
Head up to Filter - Camera Raw Filter.
I'm going to do a few minor touch-ups.
Temperature - 8.
Contrast +2
Shadows - 10. Then hit OK.
And that's it, Let me know if you watched all the way until the end! :)