How to Create Special FX Lighting in Photoshop

In this video tutorial, watch as Redouane Naouri shows you how to create special FX lighting in Photoshop. FX light effects are very effective on fantasy images, and the way Naouri creates this effect is different from any other way I have seen before.

At the start of the video, Naouri starts by showing us how to paint the effect on a black layer first. This is good because we need to practice how to paint the FX before we do it on our main image. Most people would use some kind of overlay, but Naouri tends to favor the hard way with manual painting. I love watching how other photo manipulators create their images; it always fascinates how many ways you can get to the same finish with various Photoshop tools.

As the tutorial moves along, Naouri then moves on to painting the FX on the actual model. He does this non-destructively by using a group to keep his blank layers in, creating multiple FX with the brush tool. One thing I did notice is how good his brush skills are. The brush tool tends to be a little overlooked by people in Photoshop videos, but it is such a valuable tool, and I think videos like this show how important it is to photo-manipulators.

This tutorial is great for intermediate Photoshop artists who want to start having a go at more advanced Photoshop manipulation techniques. One thing you can take away from this video is how important it is that you brush upĀ (no pun intended) on your brush tool skills.

Clinton Lofthouse's picture

Clinton Lofthouse is an Advertising/Entertainment photographer, creative artworker and Photoshop expert from the U.K. Specializing in composite and photomanipulation imagery.
When he is not chained to his desktop PC editing, Clinton likes to put on Synthwave music, wear Aviator sunglasses and pretend to be in an 80s movie.

Log in or register to post comments