Page 8 | How to Make a Fish Jump Out of Water

Now we’re almost done with the splashes, just two more. For the second to the last layer, create a new layer and rename it to – Splash 8. Then we would be using the same brush, the same brush values and the same color tone that we used for Splash 7.

step5U_apply_the_brush

Activate the Eraser tool once again; use the same brush values as the Eraser tool that we used for Splash 7. Apply the Eraser on the region shown on the image below:

step5v_erase

Finally, for our last splash, let’s create a new layer and then name it to Splash 9. For our brush, we would be using the same brush and the same color tone that we used on Splash 7 and 8. This time we would be altering the Brush size. Use the following settings for Splash 9.

Brush size - 1100 px
Hardness - Default hardness of the selected brush
Opacity - 100%
Flow - 100%

Apply the brush on the highlighted region shown on the image below:

step5w_apply_the_brush

And finally, let’s activate the Eraser tool and use the following values:

Brush size - 175 px
Hardness - 0%
Opacity - 100%
Flow - 100%

Use the Eraser tool on the highlighted area shown on the image below:

step5x_erase

After that, reduce Splash 9’s opacity to 50%. Before we proceed to the next Step, group all the splashes that we have created and name that group to splashes.

Step 6 - Add the hand

In this Step, we would be adding the hand and its reflection on the surface of the table. So let’s open Hand 014 and move it using the Move tool (V) to the canvas. Yes you read that right just move it directly without deleting the background. Once on the canvas, rename it to hand 1. Remember to put this directly above all the layers that we have created.

Once transferred, activate the Transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd + T) and then rotate the image and then after rotating scale the image. See image below -

step6a_hand_transform

After that, activate the Magic Wand tool (W), once activated, the mouse pointer would change to a wand. Left-click on the white spaces surrounding the hand and automatically, the white space would be selected. Hit DELETE to remove this white space.

Now let’s increase the hand’s saturation since its color looks dull. Click on the hand 1 layer and then press Ctrl/Cmd + U to activate the Hue/Saturation adjustment layer for this specific layer. Once the box opens, use the following values:

Edits - Master
Hue - 0
Saturation - +15
Lightness - 0

Now, we would need to darken some parts of the hand and in order for that to happen, duplicate hand 1 by pressing Ctrl/Cmd + J and when the duplicate appears change the blending mode and opacity to:

Blending mode - Multiply
Opacity - 30%

Let’s create the reflection, click on hand 1, duplicate it and then activate the transform tool (Ctrl/Cmd + T); right click on the image to bring up the menu and when the menu opens, click on Flip Vertical.

step6b_reflection

To make it look more like a real reflection, change the Opacity of the duplicated hand 1 layer to 25%. The result should be similar to the image below:

step6c_final

Finally, group these layers and name that group to hand.

Step 7 - Add a vignette

Now we’re going to add a vignette to increase the focus on the subjects. To start off, go to the Menu bar and click on File > New and use the same settings we used to create our canvas. (Refer to Step 1). But take note, the background contents should be – WHITE. Once it has been created, go to Filter > Distort > Lens Correction. Find the tab Vignette and use these settings:

Vignette amount - -100
Midpoint - +50

step7a_vignette_settings

Now that that’s done drag the vignette to our canvas using the Move tool (V) and put it on top of all the layers that we’ve created, and then set the following:

Blending mode - Soft light
Opacity to 40%

After that click on the vignette layer that we’ve just created and then duplicate it (Ctrl/Cmd + J). This time set the following values:

Blending mode - Multiply
Opacity - 25%

Step 8 - Retouch the image

Now, let’s give the image a retouch to enhance its overall color, its brightness and its contrast. So let’s start with enriching the color. Click on the Create New Fill layer/Adjustment layer button and when the menu pops up, click on Color Balance.

step8a_color_balance

When the Color Balance box is open, input the following values:

Color Levels - -15, 0, +8
Tone Balance - Midtones
Preserve Luminosity - Checked

Now, let’s enhance the Brightness/Contrast, from the Create New Fill layer/Adjustment layer button, click on Brightness/Contrast from the contextual menu and when the box opens, input the following:

Brightness - +8
Contrast - +3

Finally, let’s spice up the color. From the Create New Fill layer/Adjustment layer button, pick on Solid Color. When the box opens, input the following value: