Ray of Light from a Window
Tutorial in Advanced, Drawing, Effects, In Photos
We will create a ray of light in a window; we will do it in a common picture. We need the picture of a wall and a window. In order to create the effect, we will use ((Adjustment Layer)). The good thing about this effect is that you can not only create the effect in the window, but you can set free your imagination and create different effects.
Open the brick wall image.
Now open the wall image, which you will also use in order to create the shape of the rays of light. Press Ctrl + A to select the whole window, then Ctrl + C to ((copy)).
Go back to the other document. Press Ctrl + V to paste the window.
With ((Rectangular Marquee Tool)), create the the window selections; press Shift to add them.
Then invert the selection. ((Select))-((Invert)).
Take a look at the image below.
Before you go on, make sure you eliminate the layer with the window without deactivating the selection.Go to ((New Adjustment Layer)) in order to darken the areas that are outside the window. ((Layer))-((New Adjustment Layer))-((Levels)).
The only thing you have to do is to modify the ((Output Levels)) values. Drag the white slider towards the right until it reaches 180. You will see that the said areas are now darker.
Ctrl + Click ((Adjustment Layer)) to activate the selection. Then ((Select))-((Invert)).
Pressing Ctrl + T (((Free Transform))), you will be able to move or change the size of the reflection. Remember to press and hold Shift so that it changes proportionally.
Standing in ((adjustment layer)), apply ((Filter))-((Blur))-((Gaussean Blur)). Radius: 5px.
Now we will apply an effect that will make the light look like it’s fading away, in other words, so that it looks more real.
Go to the ((Adjustment Layer)).
Select ((Pen Tool)) with a big size (as shown in the image below), ((Hardness)): 0%. Then paint the inferior left, center, and right of the window.
Ctrl + Click the ((Adjustment Layer)) to activate the selection. Then ((Select))-((Invert)).
Now create a ((New Adjustment Layer)). Leave the default values and click OK.
Change the layer style to ((Screen)). Notice how the reflection is now stronger.
Finally, reduce the ((opacity)) to 70%.
This is my result.
