Photoshop Photo Manipulation

The Ask

Use a subject to curate three different photoshop photo manipulations.

Skills

Using layer masks to blend images seamlessly and combine multiple elements into one cohesive design.
Adjusting tones, contrast, and color palettes to create a consistent and intentional visual mood.
Transforming or repurposing objects in an image to enhance storytelling or add artistic impact.
Adding dramatic effects—such as fire, glow, or particles—to elevate the intensity and visual interest of the edit.
Balancing colors and design elements so every part of the image feels unified, polished, and visually pleasing.
Blending unexpected elements or textures to create imaginative, dreamlike, or abstract visual concepts.

Ultraviolence Aesthetics

A three-image photo manipulation series inspired by Lana Del Rey’s moods — from vintage softness to neon edge to dramatic transformation. I used layer masks, color grading, texture blends, and fire/dispersion effects to create three distinct, music-driven interpretations.

Pick a high-resolution portrait of the subject. Crop and straighten; duplicate the base layer and convert a working copy to a Smart Object.

Vintage Soft

- Add warm color grade (Camera Raw filter or Curves).
- Apply subtle film grain and vignette.
- Blend in texture overlays (paper/dust) with Multiply or Screen and lower opacity.
- Add a slight motion/dispersion effect on one side using custom brushes + masks.

Neon Geometric

- Create a saturated red color grade and boost contrast.
- Draw neon triangle with Pen Tool on a new layer; apply Outer Glow and Gaussian Blur for bloom.
- Clip color and light adjustments to subject to match neon glow (Selective Color / Color Balance).
- Add small particles/spot overlays and bridge shadows to ground the subject.

Fire & Drama

- Replace background with a darker gradient and add subtle splatter texture.
- Composite fire overlays onto bouquet using Screen or Lighten blend; mask to integrate and erase overlaps.
- Paint additional shadow and reflected warm light on the subject using a soft low-opacity brush on a Multiply layer.
- Add blood/tear detail subtly (separate layer, low opacity, blend with Color Burn/Overlay).

Key Tutorials

I used these three video tutorials to guide me when creating these photoshop edits.

Key Takeaway

Using layer masks allowed me to edit non-destructively and blend effects smoothly without damaging the original image.
Adjusting tones, highlights, and shadows helped me create three completely different moods even with the same subject.
Whether it was dispersion, neon glow, or fire, each special effect helped communicate emotion and gave the images a strong visual identity.
This project taught me that the tools matter, but the real transformation happens when I combine technical skills with artistic ideas.

Full Project

One subject, endless ways to see the story.