Mistify your Images

Mistify your Images

Generate a haze/mist effect to your images using Photoshop CS3 combined Smart Filter Effects.

Step 1 – Open Image

To begin copy/paste the following image into Photoshop. Or right click; choose Save Image from your browser context menu. Save it to a location on your computer. In Photoshop, File > Open and browse to the previously saved image to open it.



Step 2 – Duplicate Background Layer

1. In the Layers Palette, drag and drop the original ‘Background’ Layer onto the ‘New Layer’ icon command (encircled in red).
2. This will create an exact duplicate with the caption ‘copy’ appended to the original Layer name.



Step 3 – Convert Duplicate to Smart Object

Now let’s convert the duplicate/copy Layer to a Smart Object Layer.

1. Activate the Background copy Layer in the Layers Panel. Control + Click (PC: Right + Click) and at the context menu list choose ‘Convert to Smart Object’.
2. The conversion is seamless and no notable difference occurs to the document. However the Layer thumbnail has a new Smart Object icon indicator appended to it. (encircled in red)



Step 4 – Apply Filter > Blur > Smart Blur
The remaining three filter effects will be applied to the Background copy layer in the Layers palette.

Next let’s flush out some details. Go Filter > Blur > Smart Blur and apply the settings as I have captured below.
Then click OK to commit changes.



Below is the ‘Smart Blur Filter’ effect result. It is subtle, but just enough to blur out the focus of harsh lines in the light areas.
Also notice the smart filter sub layer in the Layers Palette appended (encircled in red) to the Background copy Layer.



Step 5 – Apply Filter > Blur > Surface Blur

Next let’s generate a soft haze affect. Go Filter > Blur > Surface Blur and apply the settings as captured below. Then click OK to commit changes.



Here is the Surface Blur effect result creating a nice mist (haze) formation.
Also notice the new sub layer for the smart filter appended (encircled in red) to the Background copy Layer in the Layers Palette.
Optionally, double click the Surface Blur title to re-edit its options as well as double click the double slider filter blending options icon command for additional variations.



Step 6 – Apply Filter > Render > Lighting Effects
To match my final result, mimic as much as possible to what I have capture below in the Lighting Effects dialog. Then come back to this dialog later and explore a wide range of effect opportunities.

1. Set Light Type to Spotlight
2. Set the first color swatch to white by double clicking on it (#ffffff), then adjust the ‘Intensity’ and ‘Focus’ sliders.
3. Set the second color swatch to a variant of yellow (#cbb32d) by double clicking on it, and adjust the four following Properties.
4. Click and drag on the light source to reposition it.

Note: Enable Preview lower left of the Lighting dialog panel to see a live preview, then click OK to commit changes.



Here is the final Lighting Effects result. A tab overexposed on the effect. We could go back and alter the settings by double clicking the Lighting Effects filter title (encircled in red) but let’s modify its filter blend effects instead by double clicking the double slider icon. (Encircled in blue)



Once at the Blending Options for the Lighting Effects filter, simply adjust the Opacity to a low percentage (I used 43%), then click OK to commit changes.



Here is the final adjusted Blending Options change.



You could end it there, but what would be ideal is to bring back some of the tree so that it is not enveloped by mist.
1. Click the Smart Filters mask thumbnail (White Box to the left of the Smart Filter caption) to activate it. Activation/selected is indicated by a double edged border as captured below.
2. Press the D key on the keyboard to set Foreground/Background swatches to Black/White.
3. Click the Brush Tool (B) on the Toolbar to activate it.
4. Then set a soft edge (Hardness of 0%) brush press and bump the Opacity down (I used 22%) and brush over the areas that you want to regain focus. In my case you can see by the mask thumbnail roughly where I brushed.



Here is the final full view version.



A final note:
Be sure to go back into the Lighting Effects Filter Effect to create variations. Below are some samples.

Ty for this tut

Agent Cosmic, very nice tut !! thanks

:)

well done....

Wow ! Amazing, thanks for this :)