Collage

For this project we will be creating a digital collage landscape - a place that doesn't really exist.

Below you will find step-by-step instructions with pictures as well as a video (at the very bottom of this page) that will help you with your collage.

Step 1: Create a new canvas

file - new

width - 11 inches

height - 8.5 inches

resolution - 300

make sure your canvas is the correct size in photoshop

You will be presented with a blank canvas to create your collage

Go to your web browser and start finding the pictures you want to use to create your landscape, I've decided that I want start with a desert.

Also be sure to click on the tools button and search for Large images

Once you've found the right image, save it by clicking the thumbnail, letting the image load, then dragging to your desktop. I liked the image below.

Next, open the image by dragging it to the Photoshop icon on your taskbar, this will open it in a separate tab than your collage. Using one of your selection tools (quick select, lasso, magnetic lasso) select what part of the image you want to use. I used my quick select tool to grab just the desert sand. Remember that you can change the size of the quick select tool using the bracket keys (next to the "p" key)

Once selected, copy the image, go to your blank canvas and paste it

If you need to resize the image like I do, go to Edit - Transform - Scale. Other transformations like rotate and flip are in the Transform area

Continue bringing in elements for your landscape, my next piece will be the sky. I want a starry galaxy type thing so I brought this in.

Once again, resize the image to fit your new canvas. Also make sure that the order of you layers are correct, I needed to move the sky layer below the desert.

I also noticed now that my desert looks too bright for the night sky, so I'm going to change the brightness/contrast of the desert. Make sure that the layer you want to lighten or darken is highlighted, then go to Image - Adjustments - Brightness/Contrast

After adjusting the brightness, I think my ground matches the sky much better

Continue searching, selecting, copying and pasting new material into your collage in order to make your landscape. Below you can see what I have done so far. I would like for you to use at least 10 different images to create your landscape. Mine is still a work in progress.

The video below covers all the steps listed here as well as some extra tip/tricks to help you with your collage.