Photoshop Tutorial

Self-portrait / Fine Art Photography

As long as art has existed, so too has the self-portrait. That is easily mistaken for selfies but self-portrait is so much more. Self-portraiture has become real photography and is well-conceived. The location, framing, lighting, depth of field, and posing associated with the images are carefully planned. You work both sides of the camera with increasing efficiency, and the quality of your photography reflects the education received. For me, self-portrait began as a way to develop my own portrait photography skills, without the need for a model. 

This tutorial is a step by step process on how to do a creative and fun self-portrait. Let the fun begin.😃

For this tutorial, we need Adobe Photoshop, background image we want to use, and the subject (you) holding an umbrella, image of the umbrella, and texture image. All necessary files for this project can be downloaded for free on Download Free Source Files

 Step 1

First and foremost, we have to decide what size of the image we want to create. When I am creating something from the scratch I like to use the square size 5906 x 5906 pixels, resolution 300 dpi.

Step 2

Now when we have our square it is time to add your background picture. clock File - Place Embedded and select the image, scale, and position image.

Step 3

Now we can add the picture with our subject, scale, resize the image so that fits the background. You can low opacity on the second layer so you can better position the subject image.

  Step 4

Now that we have both layers in the place we wanted, it's time to mask the number 2 layer. Here you can read how to how to mask out an object in photoshop.

Step 5

The next step is to merge all layers using shortcuts, press and hold the SHIFT key + CTRL + ALT + E. This will make a stamp of all layers this is a non-destructive way to merge layers.

Step 6

The next step is to edit our picture in the camera raw. We are gonna do basic edits, add some contrast, move highlights slider on your left, move shadows slider up, add some texture around + 8, clarity + 9.

Step 7

Now is the time to add flying umbrellas, you can use PNG file (umbrella PNG) from source files. You can change the color of umbrellas by applying hue/saturation adjustments. 

Step 8

Add Hue/Saturation adjustments - saturation + 74. Add a clipping mask so that the adjustment only applies to the umbrella layer.

Step 9

Add a curve adjustment layer to lighten the umbrella layer. Add a clipping mask so that the adjustment only applies to the umbrella layer.

Step 10

Applied Dramatic Portrait B&W(how to create action in photoshop) action in photoshop. You can download yours from Download Free Source Files.

Step 11

Merge, again, all layers using shortcuts, press and hold the SHIFT key + CTRL + ALT + E. This will make a stamp of all layers this is a non-destructive way to merge layers.

 Step 12

In this step, we are gonna add some texture go to File - Place Embedded and choose the texture vilovski-home-texture-4 (umbrella) and set the blending mode to Soft Light, do STEP 11 again.

Step 13

Now we are gonna add some vignette to the image, go to Filter - Camera Raw - Presets - Vignetting - Heavy.

Step 14

Make a copy of the layer (Ctrl + J) and applied Orton Effect (how to create action in photoshop) action in photoshop, reduce the opacity by up to 15%. You can download yours from the Download Free Source Files

Final Image

And that's it, folks we are done. Congratulations on successfully completing your self-portrait. Thanks for reading the article I hope you liked it, and we’ll read on in the next one.😅😅