Adding Flames and Effects to Make an Image with Impact
Mar 27th in Designing by Ben Merckx
The Photo
First, we need an image to work with. I chose an image of a snowboarder jumping from Stock.xchang, it's great because he's quite isolated against a straight blue background, which will make cutting him out much easier.
Step 1
Let's start off with a subtle gradient. Create a Radial Gradient ( Layer > New Fill Layer > Gradient) with a black outside and a dark grey inside.
Next, import the image you wish to edit on a new layer. Scale it, place it, and cut it out. If you choose a snowboarder against a blue sky like me, it's easy to cut using color range ( Select > Color Range...) or the Magic Wand tool. I desaturated ( Image > Adjustments > Desaturate) the image because I only want the flames to be colored. This will give a punchier effect.
Step 2
Now we'll create the background and the smoke. Create a new layer under the snowboarder and use the clouds filter on it ( Filter > Render > Render Clouds. Make sure you have white and black as front and back color). Erase over the outside and over the place where snowboarder sits and then set the Opacity to 18%.
On a new layer, use the Elliptical Marquee Tool (M) to create three circles and fill them with different shades of grey (start with the biggest one). You can also duplicate the layer, resize the circle (with Shift+Alt selected) and fill it with another shade. Change the opacity to make the circles less visible.
I also used a halftone effect behind the snowboarder. It doesn't add much, but if you like this detail check out Sean's Halftone Tutorial on how to achieve it.
Step 3
To create more smoke, I copied the snowboarder to a new layer and used the Smudge Tool (R) on it. Change the settings to what you see below and just move your mouse around to create a smoke-like effect. I set this layer's opacity to 40%. It's located beneath the boarder but above the other background layers.
Smudge settings:
Spacing: 10%
(In Shape Dynamics:)
Size Jitter: 46%
Minimum Diameter: 64%
Angle Jitter: 30%
Roundness Jitter: 0%
(In Scattering:)
Scatter: 43%
Count: 1
Count Jitter: 86%
(In Other Dynamics:)
Strength Jitter: 100%
Step 4
This has been discussed in other tutorials, but in case you haven't seen it explained yet, don't skip this step.
Take out the Pen Tool (P) and create a path around the snowboard and the right arm. When you're finished, right-click the path and choose Stroke Path (Set your brush to the right size first. In my case, a 1px hard brush.), you can use Simulate Pressure if you like.
Delete the vector path (Right click > Delete Path) and erase the parts you don't need (behind the board/arm) on the newly created line. In the Blending Options for this layer, I chose an orange Color Overlay and red Outer Glow set to Linear Dodge.
Step 5
Now we'll create the hardest part: the flames. Create a new layer and choose a 5px hard brush.(I chose a shade of grey because I wanted to add real color to it later. You can start with that already by choosing an orange color for this step, if you like). I used my Wacom to create some random flame-like strokes. If you're using a mouse, you can right-click anywhere on the canvas to change your brush size easily. Try varying them and make them go in one direction. I'm making most go from bottom left to upper right.
Step 6
Next, I used three filters on those flames to make them appear more realistic. I started with the ripple filter ( Filter > Distort > Ripple) at 100%. Next, I used ocean ripple ( Filter > Distort > Ocean Ripple) with default settings, this will not change the shapes but it will create some darker and lighter tones in the flames. I faded that filter ( Edit > Fade Ocean Ripple) to 40%. The last filter is a motion blur ( Filter > Blur > Motion Blur), set the angle right (45° here), and choose a low value. I changed the Opacity of the layer to 66%.
Step 7
To create even more flames, I duplicated that layer and used wave ( Filter > Distort > Wave) on it with the default values. I set the layer to orange in the preview so it would be clear what kind of outcome you can expect. I also lowered the Opacity to 66% and erased some parts that didn't look good.
Step 8
To bring out the flames more, I applied the image on a new layer ( Image > Apply Image) and gave that layer an Unsharp Mask ( Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask). Then I created a grey to orange Gradient Map ( Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Gradient Map) to give the border an orange tint.
The flames are still in need of color. Ctrl+Shift+Click on all the thumbnails next to the flame layers so you have a selection of the flames. Fill this selection, in a new layer, with orange and set it to Color with an Opacity of 80%.
Conclusion
As finishing touch, we need some more light and color. Add a new layer and use apply image ( Image > Apply Image). In the lighting effects ( Filter > Render > Lighting Effects) options, add more lights to the scene (drag the light bulb icon onto the small preview). Erase the part of the snowboarder because it might get overlighted. You can set this layer to Lighten. The smoke might not be visible enough now, so if needed you can copy one of the layers and set it on top with a low opacity and erase over the main parts.
Creating realistic fire isn't easy and might not work out for the first time. But after some tries you might even end up with something better than me. If you wish to make it even more realistic, you can try to focus on the colors of the flames and give them a yellow inside and a red outside.
In any case, hope you enjoyed the tutorial. Along with the flames, the main point here is to see how a little Photoshop adornment when combined with a photo can make a really punchy graphic, especially when you contrast the black and white areas with some strong color.
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User Comments
( ADD YOURS )Ryan March 27th
Pretty cool concept, though it seems like it needs that added PSDTuts touch.
Ryft March 27th
Yeah, this is neat, but it needs something more…
Adam March 27th
Not a bad idea, but it looks like an ad that tries to be “extreme”
HipHopMakers March 27th
Nice tutorials
terry March 27th
it’s okay.. i think the flames look flat… and when you every thing is desaturated, it tend to look flat.. maybe a better contrast is in order…
i do like having a design based tut instead of a photo-effect tut for a change… maybe some color in the speaker is in order?
KillaBoY March 27th
damn i love your tuts…i make one right now^^
Maker March 27th
Awesome concept.
But this tutorial lack the finishing toutch.
Shane March 27th
I’m impressed by the effect - looks good I reckon. Thanks for sharing.
Guido March 27th
nice cool effect
Naveed March 27th
wow another gud tutorial but i dnt think we have something new to learn from… not that innovative
but still thanks for sharing
Arnaud March 27th
Colors of the snowboarder is amazing.
Relly cool tutorial, thanx again !
Mark Bowen March 27th
Very nice tutorial well done.
I think the only thing that (to me) lets it down is the fact that you have flames coming out from nowhere on the bottom left of the image. It would have been better if like at the top of the image where the flames seem to come out of the boarders body to only allow the flames to look as though they are doing that. On his right-hand leg (the one on the left when you look at the picture
) it looks as though the flames are pointing downwards because of this and so doesn’t look right, but that’s just a small thing that can easily be fixed.
Other than that a nice tutorial and well executed.
Best wishes,
Mark
Lamin Barrow March 27th
Thats a very good attempt at making realistic flames. Thx for the tut.
Andrew D March 27th
Great tutorial, but I think the final result is missing that flare, perhaps emphasize the flames more, or something to that degree. Still great though, many thanks!
giackop March 27th
cool i like it!!
Ben Griffiths March 27th
Great end result, well written as always - thanks
Joefrey Mahusay March 27th
Cool!
Majesticskull March 27th
Cool tutorial!
k0rn March 27th
Why can’t I submit my own tutorial? The submissions form is broken. I always receive an error mail.
Marcelo Kanzaki March 27th
I kinda liked more the first image… When it was just a photograph. See, i enjoy this website very much, and its nice to learn hot to make smoke, light swirls and everything else but sometimes they just “dont go” with every image. If you dont play carefully it can bring a little “unprofessional look” to your work.
Thats just my ponint of view, hope you guys dont mind.
Mr_LeE March 27th
That’s “Hot”!
end corny punch line
Brian March 27th
This tutorial could use a lot of polish. I’m kind of surprised that it’s on PSDtuts.
SnakeJake March 27th
It was fine without the flames. The technique was great though.
Mikey March 27th
good work
CMoore March 27th
A pretty good tutorial overall. The finished product is nice, but I agree that the flames do need some work. I’m doing one right now and I’m going to try using flame brushes instead of making them myself and seeing what that does for it. I know that’s not what this tut was about, but yeah… I also want to try one just using the neon glow wrap, but using more of it and not just his arm and board.
Mark March 27th
It doesn’t convince me.
b00m March 28th
nice efect
Wouter March 28th
wow nice effect
Constantin Potorac March 28th
Nice and clean tutorial.
For the effect it looks nice but it needs a bit more work or as some said “That PSDTuts look”.
Take care
Anselmo March 28th
Nice, good tut…
Thanks
web design cheltenham March 28th
nice tutorial like the ffect i to will not be including the flames i like the glow strike on its own - my personal opiion but good effort mate
AmbitionX March 28th
Nice TuT Dude I’ll Be Doing Some Design While Following it.
JPH March 28th
As always, a great tutorial. Step 4’s pen tutorial creates an awesome effect - its so simple and looks so good.
goldenthunder March 28th
I agree with the “That PSDTuts look” but still a nice effect. Thank you!
Zach March 28th
i agree with what everyone else has said. its just an ok effect. im surprised it made the cut. lacks polish, just like everyone has said.
Nick March 28th
Awesome! Thanks!
Nick March 28th
Although the “extreme” bit is hard to pull off for anyone not involved with the snow/skate/surf industries, the effects are super awesome
Jim March 28th
I’ll jump on the “it’s not up to standards” bandwagon. This tut, while well written, simply isn’t worth doing because the end result looks like an AlienSkin filter. In my opinion, it barely fits in the “ok” category, let alone the normal “awesome” that shows up around here.
Blagoj March 28th
Great tut. Thanks. My concept.
JokR March 28th
The flames are a little too red or pink I cant quite name that color I would use a more yellow - red combination and also I would make the line around the snowboarder more obvious maybe a little more thickness a whiter color in the middle a bigger yellow glow . . .the snowboarder is fine in the faded colors because otherwise it would distract attention from the effect . . . Anyway great tutorial your technique is
great can’t wait to see some more tuts from you
reader March 28th
i think its best you guys put some Movie covers Tutorial here!,those thing would get hits like crazy!…
Mark March 29th
Nice tutorial but finished product could use more color.
Bendikt Myklebust March 30th
hmm remove thos dots, blur the flames that is on top of the boarder, and make the flames at the front sharper… instead of using those dots try brushing in some “cloud” manually or try masking out some clouds from a picture of clouds or sky.. =) hope it helped
AmbitionX March 31st
Nice..I’ll Be Making Some Large Art Out Of This :O…
bORIS March 31st
BOG TE JEBO TI NISI NORMALAN ÄŒOVJEK..
god056 March 31st
missing something, as what was pointed out dozens before.
sandeep March 31st
wow i love your tuts…….gre8888888888888….
Icetrix April 1st
It gives a nice impression but it is very unfinished… still it is a nice tut.
Thirdmaster April 2nd
Done.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thirdmaster/2380594848/
maddy April 5th
I LIKE IT GOOD IMAGINATION & MOST IMPORTANT IS TO CREAT UR IMAGINATION REAL ITS GOOD
Chomp April 8th
I didn’t like this tutorial, I didn’t get even near the same results. Step 3, Where to click to get the menu for the smudge?
Step 4 my lines got very pixxy and didn’t get any good result compared to yours.
Fred April 10th
This tutorial is really badly explained. I was trying to follow along but ended up getting lost. I am particularly referring to Step 4: “Take out the Pen Tool (P) and create a path around the snowboard and the right arm. When you’re finished right click the path and choose Stroke Path (set your brush to the right size first, in my case a 1px hard brush), you can use Simulate Pressure if you like.”
So am I drawing a path free hand or creating anchor points then manipulating the curve? When right click and choose Stroke Path I get the dialogue box up and then I don’t understand what you mean by make sure the brush is the right size. Do I select the brush tool? Because then when I right click I just get the brush size options and such. So anyway, when I click OK in the dialogue box and I suppose I am expected to draw over the path? I just end up drawing another path (with the pen tool selected still) and with the brush tool, It’s rather hard to get it exactly on the path.
I also didn’t understand Step 2 or Step 3.
Step 2: “Erase over the outside and over the place where snowboarder sits and then set the opacity to 18%.”
The outside of what? The place where the snowboarder sits? Okay, and then I have to errase THE PLACE where the snowboarder sits, so I am rendering the clouds and then erasing it completely, and then setting the opacity to 18%. Then what’s the point in even rendering the clouds if I am just going to erase them completely?
Step 3: “Change the settings to what you see below”
Where are you even going to change those settings? I can’t see anywhere to bring up a dialogue box to change those settings.
Please be a little more clear in your tutorials. I love the site and the design, but it’s let down wholesale by the sheer vagueness of the tutorials.
sagar April 14th
very good very hard you are realy master
miqmal April 15th
nice,i tried to apply it but i didn’t make that effect..huhuhuh
Allahparast April 26th
Hi All i am irani
site U Beter site Graphic WOW
BMD-Media.com May 1st
That is a cool effect. I agree with some other posts. It either is too overdone, or missing something. I cant decide. I like the simple effect in Step 4 the best.
TH May 14th
Nice effect, looks perfectly fine to me.
Muhammad Shahid Akram May 21st
Great Piece of Work
jonathan May 24th
MUY BUENO ME GUSTO
Sufiyan June 23rd
thanks for good tutorial
John July 18th
what the hell does this mean
Let’s start off with a subtle gradient. Create a Radial Gradient ( Layer > New Fill Layer > Gradient) with a black outside and a dark grey inside.
cant you just say what the swatch is …but you say black outside & dark grey inside !!! ???
cool dude ;o((
peace John
MD July 23rd
Great tut!
Mansoor July 24th
Thanks for Posting.
Great Tut.
max September 8th
Great effects!!!!
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