Create a Surreal Horror Photo Manipulation in Photoshop

Create a Surreal Horror Photo Manipulation in Photoshop

Horror movies and TV shows with an intelligent twist are making a significant comeback. Titles like The Woman in Black, The Devil Inside, and American Horror Story demonstrate a shift in storytelling. The focus is shifting away from cliché tropes and instead embraces chilling narratives filled with ghosts and disturbing imagery.

In this presentation, Karim Fakhoury discusses his creative process in developing an artwork that reflects this trend. The piece features a hunched figure beneath a tree, encircled by ravens—symbols of death in North American folklore. This striking image has the potential to serve as a compelling promotional poster for films or television shows.

By following the tutorial, you will learn how to compose eye-catching images, create an eerie backdrop, and seamlessly combine various elements. Plus, you will discover effective techniques for producing detailed cutouts of intricate shapes.

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.

You might also like

Create a Liquid Gel Logo Effect in Photoshop

Liquid gel effects transform flat logos into dimensional, glossy designs that appear to bubble and flow. This technique uses multiple layer styles and strategic duplication to build depth, creating surfaces that catch light like thick, viscous liquid. The method combines gradient overlays, bevel effects, and inner glows across several duplicated...

How to Use Photoshop's AI Sharpen Filter and When It's Worth the Cost

Photoshop's new AI Sharpen filter promises one-click sharpening powered by advanced algorithms. This tool uses technology from Topaz Labs to enhance image details without manual adjustments, but it comes with a significant cost in credits. Understanding when to use this automated approach versus traditional methods like the High...

How to Use Harmonize and Generative Upscale Tools in Photoshop

Creating realistic photo composites requires matching lighting and color between different images—a traditionally time-consuming process. Two new AI-powered tools in Photoshop solve these challenges: Harmonize automatically adjusts lighting and shadows to blend subjects seamlessly into backgrounds, while Generative Upscale enlarges small images without losing detail. These tools work together...

How to Create Convincing Scale Effects in Photoshop Composites

Creating believable scale effects requires more than simply resizing objects—it demands understanding how light, perspective, and atmospheric conditions change with distance. When tiny subjects appear massive or giant objects seem miniature, viewers should feel the illusion is completely natural. This technique combines careful attention to lighting consistency, depth cues,...

How to Flip Images Horizontally and Vertically in Photoshop

Flipping images is a fundamental technique that can dramatically change the composition and impact of your photos. Whether you need to correct the orientation of a subject, create mirror effects, or simply improve the visual flow of your design, knowing how to quickly flip images both horizontally and vertically gives...

How to Use Nano Banana Pro in Photoshop for Background Replacement and Scene Changes

Nano Banana Pro transforms how you place subjects into new environments in Photoshop. This advanced AI model maintains perfect subject likeness while seamlessly integrating them into any background you can imagine. The tool excels at matching lighting, preserving facial features, and even adapting clothing to complement new scenes, all through...

You’ve successfully subscribed to Photoshop Roadmap
Welcome back! You’ve successfully signed in.
Great! You’ve successfully signed up.
Success! Your email is updated.
Your link has expired
Success! Check your email for magic link to sign-in.