In this tutorial we'll see how is it possible to create wallpapers by combining several pictures, we'll learn also several methods of correcting the colors, use the layers, the filters and see how to create unusual lightness effects.

First we need to open a new file of standard sizes wallpapers: File - New (ctrl+n).



Open now in a new window the photo representing an eye:



Mark it out, using the Rectangular Marquee Tool and make a copy of it: Edit - Copy (ctrl+c). Get back to the earlier created file and insert it on a new layer: Edit - Paste (ctrl+v). Now we should correct the eye's parameters, selecting the next option: Edit - Free Transform (ctrl+t)



Insert on a new layer the photo of any kind of dial plate, in this case of a compass.



Separate the dial plate out of its background, using the Elliptical Marquee Tool:

 

The layer containing the rests of the picture should be erased: Layer - Delete - Layer. We should copy also that part of the compass that is without its frame.



Distort the compass's perspective after that, making use of this command: Edit - Transform - Distort



The second layer must be placed above the eye (Distort, Free Transform) and then erase the unnecessary part by marking it firstly with Polygonal Lasso Tool. Before marking that part we could minimize the layer's Opacity till 0%, and then turn it back on 100%. We should blur out the dial plate's edges too, selecting the Blur Tool.



Decolorize the layer now: Image - Adjustments - Desaturate (shift+ctrl+u) and change the layer's type on Multiply, increase the layer's contrast, using the next option: Image - Adjustments - Curves (ctrl+m).



Open in a new window the photo representing the autumn leaves: (ctrl+o):

 

Because they are situated on a white background, we can mark them out with Rectangular Marquee Tool and Magic Wand Tool. Copy the leaves and insert each of them on a new layer, getting back to the wallpapers window.



We should change after that the leaves' angles and placements (ctrl+t). Then make several copies of these new layers: Layer - Duplicate Layer (ctrl+j) and create out of them a new composition, situated under the compass's layer (just move the layers on their right places).



Apply to each of the layers the next command: Layer - Layer Style - Drop Shadow



This way we'll get the leaves shadows:



Combine all the layers containing the leaves on them:



And merge them down: Layer - Merge Down (ctrl+e). Now we have to insert on a new layer the texture of a textile (ctrl+e), that you may see below:



Place it above the layer containing the eye (ctrl+t).

 

Create a mask then out of this layer: Layer - Add Layer Mask - Reveal All and choose the Gradient Tool of black color to make invisible a part of the layer situated above the eye:



Apply the following command: Layer - Remove Layer Mask - Apply and start correcting the colors. Apply first Image - Adjustments - Selective Color (for the layer containing the textile's texture).



Use now Image - Adjustments - Hue/Saturation (ctrl+u).



Change a little the layer's brightness and the contrast, making use of the next command: Image - Adjustments - Levels (ctrl+v).

Make the leaves look a little more orange than they are (Selective Color):



Apply on the compass's layer first a photo filter: Image - Adjustments - Photo Filter.



Then Image - Adjustments - Levels (ctrl+l).

 

Make invisible the compass's edges by choosing the following options: Layer Mask and Gradient Tool. Change the layer's type on Hard Light.



Change also the color of the eye's layer (Selective Color).



Then change the color of the eye itself. For this operation we need to paint firstly the eye, using the Brush Tool with smooth edges, and then blur out a little the layer, selecting the next command: Filter - Blur - Gaussian Blur. Finally change the layer's type on Multiply.



Merge down all the layers: Layer - Merge Visible (shift+ctrl+e) and make a copy of that new layer (??trl+j). Blur it out a little (Gaussian Blur).



Minimize the intensity of this layer's colors, using the command from here: Image - Adjustments - Hue/Saturation (ctrl+u).



Change the layer's type on Darken:

 

Merge down the layers (ctrl+e) and make one more copy of this new layer (ctrl+j). We should apply on it the following option: Filter - Render - Lightness Effect, just to change the lightness:



Apply on this layer the other filter: Filter - Noise - Median.



Change the layer's type on Overlay and make the necessary corrections on the brightness, the contrast and the saturation of the layer:



Make the eye look lighter by outlining the eye's half circle with white color on a new layer (Brush Tool), blurring it a little and changing the layer's type on Soft Light.



Select after that the Gradient Tool and insert on the picture a cold nuance, especially on those places we want to make them lighter:



Change the layer's type on Screen:

 

Select the same Gradient Tool on a new layer and change a little its adjustments to insert our picture in a frame:



Change the layer's type on Overlay:



Create now a new layer and use on it this combination: Image - Apply Image, choosing in the Channel option the most in contrast version:





Using the Selective Color in the Black and White options, we should change the colors firstly, and then change the layer's type on Soft Light:



Continue by inserting the last texture. On the top layer we should place the picture of the sky:



Change the layer's type on Hard Light and make the necessary in the colors too, applying Image - Adjustments - Channel Mixer.



Choose the Layer Mask and the Gradient Tool to give back the visibility to the eye:



Blur a little the layer containing the sky just to get rid of the layer's noises:

 

Merge down all the layers (shift+ctrl+e) and use finally on this new layer the next shown possibilities: Filter - Sharpen - Sharpen to increase a little the layer's sharpness:



The wallpapers are finished!

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