Create an Epic Knight vs Dragon Scene in Photoshop

Epic fantasy scenes capture the imagination through dramatic confrontations between legendary figures. This tutorial transforms simple photographs into a cinematic knight versus dragon battle scene.

You'll learn professional photo manipulation techniques including subject extraction, lighting adjustments, atmospheric effects, and color grading to create compelling fantasy artwork.

Watch the Video

Video by Nemanja Sekulic. Any links or downloads mentioned by the creator are available only on YouTube

Essential Tips for Fantasy Photo Manipulation

Convert layers to smart objects before resizing to preserve image quality when scaling up or down multiple times
Use Quick Mask mode (press Q) with a brush to refine automatic selections, especially for complex edges like hair or armor details
Create separate layers for highlights and shadows, using Screen and Multiply blend modes to adjust lighting direction
Apply Gaussian blur to background elements at different amounts to establish proper depth of field
Add atmospheric elements like smoke or mist using custom brushes to enhance the epic scale and mood

Explore more creative photo manipulation techniques and artistic effects.

Get tutorials & freebies delivered to you.

Subscribe to the Photoshop Roadmap newsletter, a weekly roundup of new tutorials, insights and quality downloads, trusted by 6500+ readers.

How to Use Gemini 2.5 Nano Banana AI in Photoshop 2026

Photoshop 2026 introduces Gemini 2.5 Nano Banana, a powerful AI model that transforms how you edit images. This advanced tool maintains scene coherence while allowing dramatic changes to poses, backgrounds, and camera angles. The technology understands context and lighting, creating realistic results that feel naturally integrated into your original...

How to Access Adobe's Free Stock Photos in Photoshop and Create Photo Collages

Adobe now includes thousands of free stock photos directly in Photoshop, making it easier than ever to find professional images for your projects. These royalty-free images work perfectly for creating dynamic photo collages without leaving the application. This tutorial covers three different methods to access these free stock images and...

Adding Atmospheric Texture Layers in Photoshop for Moody Images

Victorian London emerges from fog-shrouded streets in classic Sherlock Holmes films, where every shadow tells a story and atmosphere becomes a character itself. The interplay of light, mist, and aged textures creates that unmistakable cinematic mood that draws viewers into another world. This video demonstrates how texture layers transform ordinary...

Master Layer Comps in Photoshop for Faster Design Workflow

Design iterations can quickly spiral into chaos without proper version control. Layer Comps in Photoshop offers a powerful solution that most designers overlook, letting you save snapshots of your layer panel's visibility, position, and appearance at different stages of your project. This hidden feature transforms how you approach...

How to Create a Can Mockup in Photoshop Using Smart Objects and Masks

Professional can mockups transform flat designs into realistic product presentations that clients can instantly visualize. This technique combines precise measurement, smart object workflow, and blending modes to wrap your graphics seamlessly around curved surfaces. The process creates reusable templates that automatically apply proper perspective and lighting effects to any design...

Cutting Out Complex AI Images Using Channel Masking in Photoshop

AI-generated images often contain intricate details that challenge standard background removal tools. When automatic selection methods fail to capture complex edges and fine details, manual techniques become essential. This technique demonstrates how to use channel masking to create precise selections that preserve every detail of your AI artwork. Watch the...