What are some of the best photo manipulation techniques for creating surreal scenes?

Photo manipulation is the art of transforming or altering an image using various techniques and tools. It can be used for creative, artistic, or practical purposes, such as enhancing, correcting, or combining photos. But one of the most fascinating and challenging aspects of photo manipulation is creating surreal scenes that defy logic, reality, or expectations. In this article, you will learn some of the best photo manipulation techniques for creating surreal scenes that will amaze and inspire you.

1 Choose a theme and a source

The first step in creating a surreal scene is to choose a theme and a source image that will serve as the base or background for your manipulation. A theme is the idea or concept that you want to convey or explore with your scene, such as dreams, fantasy, horror, or humor. A source image is the photo that you will use to build your scene on, such as a landscape, a cityscape, or a portrait. You can use your own photos or find free or licensed images online. The key is to choose a theme and a source image that match or contrast well, and that have enough details and quality to work with.

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Mads Monsen •

UX Researcher (UX/Product Design, Automation & Innovation) (LinkedIn Top Photography Voice x2)
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With the availability of generative AI, creating starting points have never been easier. Photoshop has made it easy to generate with the built-in Firefly AI model. You write and describe what you want to create using plain text. Midjourney and Dall-e are other alternatives, but Adobe’s Firefly is trained on licensed material. It avoids using copyright material and the potential lawsuits that are brewing related to training materials for the AI models.

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Matylda Laurence

Creative Designer/Writer/Song Writer
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Another alternative...a blank canvas, your digital background, using your color choice, experiment with shades, contrasts and blends. Whilst a photograph might offer options sometimes the blank canvas can bring some surprises if you let your imagination and mouse work in tandem. Add a few layers, fill with gradient colors, draw or create patterns and shapes then use random filters, there is a multiple of choice, some will work some won't but experiment rather than copy someone else's design. The creative market is hungry for difference, fantasy, surreal, futuristic elements not always the full picture. Be inspired, journey through what you perceive as a virtual world, a 3D world, outer space and beyond the canvas of Earth's expectations...

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Pallav Ranjan

30 years in knowledge management: documentation, communication, knowledge transfer, and training.
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It can be a painting made digitally by yourself or a collage of multiple images. A leaf from here, a trickle from there, a building and the sun elsewhere.

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2 Cut and paste elements

The next step is to cut and paste elements from other images that will add to your theme and create your surreal scene. Elements are the objects, characters, or effects that you will insert into your source image, such as animals, plants, buildings, or clouds. You can use any image editing software, such as Photoshop, GIMP, or Pixlr, to cut and paste elements using tools like the lasso, the magic wand, or the eraser. The trick is to select and copy elements that have similar perspectives, lighting, and colors as your source image, and to paste them in a way that blends well and creates a sense of depth and realism.

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Pallav Ranjan

30 years in knowledge management: documentation, communication, knowledge transfer, and training.
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Takes a lot of patience and minutes or hours, even days and weeks and more. Searching for the right image is also time consuming and “not” choosing the first images that pop up so people can recognize them :). Taking your own images or making them can be rewarding if they are going to be centerpieces.

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3 Adjust colors and lighting

The third step is to adjust the colors and lighting of your scene to create a consistent and harmonious mood and atmosphere. Colors and lighting are essential for creating a surreal effect, as they can evoke emotions, convey meanings, or contrast realities. You can use image editing software to adjust the colors and lighting of your scene using tools like the hue/saturation, the curves, or the gradient map. The goal is to balance the colors and lighting of your scene to make it look natural or unnatural, depending on your theme and preference.

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Pallav Ranjan

30 years in knowledge management: documentation, communication, knowledge transfer, and training.
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If there are a lot of elements, it may be an idea to take away some colors and then add them using a similar pattern. Easier to build a more blended look.

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4 Add filters and effects

The fourth step is to add filters and effects to your scene to enhance its quality and style. Filters and effects are the finishing touches that can make your scene look more realistic, artistic, or dramatic. You can use image editing software to add filters and effects to your scene using tools like the sharpen, the blur, or the noise. The idea is to use filters and effects that suit your theme and vision, and that add texture, contrast, or depth to your scene.

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5 Experiment and have fun

The fifth step is to experiment and have fun with your photo manipulation. Photo manipulation is a creative process that allows you to express yourself and explore your imagination. There are no rules or limits to what you can create with photo manipulation, as long as you have the skills, the tools, and the inspiration. You can try different techniques, elements, colors, and effects to create different versions of your scene, or to create new scenes from scratch. You can also learn from other photo manipulators by looking at their works, tutorials, or tips online.

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Pallav Ranjan

30 years in knowledge management: documentation, communication, knowledge transfer, and training.
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Indeed, play with the options and combine multiple option or double and triple down on an effect and see how it goes. The hours just melt away!

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6 Share your work

The final step is to share your work with others and get feedback. Sharing your work is a great way to showcase your talent, to inspire others, or to improve your skills. You can share your work on social media platforms, online galleries, or forums that are dedicated to photo manipulation. You can also enter contests, challenges, or collaborations that involve photo manipulation. By sharing your work, you can connect with other photo manipulators, get constructive criticism, or discover new ideas and techniques.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are some of the best photo manipulation techniques for creating surreal scenes?

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1 Choose a theme and a source

2 Cut and paste elements

3 Adjust colors and lighting

4 Add filters and effects

5 Experiment and have fun

6 Share your work

7 Here’s what else to consider

Computer Graphics Design

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