Create this contemporary effect to simplify any background.
Photoshop Tutorial Preview
Step 1
Open a picture into Photoshop. To open a picture, just go to File> Open, browse for the image, and then click OK. You should now have the photo loaded into Photoshop.
Step 2
To begin, duplicate the layer by pressing Ctrl+J or going to the Layer> Duplicate Layer menu. This will create a new layer called “Layer 1″ as the top layer.
Step 3
With the top layer selected, we’ll use the Extract filter to separate the subject from the background. To use the Extract tool, go to Filter> Extract. To use this tool, simply paint a green outline around the subject. Turn on “Smart Highlighting” on the left for enhanced precision. However, when you have “Smart Highlighting” enabled, make sure you paint at a speed that your computer can keep up with. If you go too fast, the smart highlighting feature won’t have enough time to catch up and the end results will be less precise. Once you have the green outline created, use the paint bucket tool on the left of the extract tool window and fill inside the green outline. You should now have an image like the one below. Click OK when done and you should now have a layer with the subject separated from the background.
Step 4
Now we’ll create another duplicate of the Background layer for the pixel stretch effect. Select the Background layer and then press Ctrl+J or go to Layer> Duplicate Layer. You should now have a layer called Background copy as the middle layer.
Step 5
Select the Single Row Marquee Tool. You can find this in the toolbar and it may be hidden in the rectangular or elliptical marquee tool.
Step 6
You can choose either the single line horizontal or vertical marquee tool depending on your preference. I chose the horizontal one. Create a selection where you want the pixel stretch to begin. It is good to pick a spot somewhere near the middle or near your subject.
Step 7
Now press Ctrl+T or go to Edit> Transform> Scale to use the Transform tool. With this tool, stretch the selection until it fills the image with a pixel stretch effect. Here’s what mine looked like after doing this step:
Step 8
Now we’re going to make it blend in. First, we’ll add a layer mask. Select the middle layer and then go to Layer> New Adjustment Layer> Reveal All.
Step 9
To blend the layer in, we’ll use the Gradient tool. Select the Gradient tool from the toolbar. It may be hidden with the Paint Bucket tool. Once you have it selected select “Black to White” as the gradient.
Step 10
Now draw a gradient starting from where you want it to start to where you want it to end. Make sure that you have the layer mask activated before you do this. There should be a white outline around the layer mask thumbnail in the Layers pallet. If you don’t see this, click on the layer mask thumbnail in the Layers pallet.
Final Results
We’re done! Here’s the final result of this pixel stretch Photoshop effect. Although I used this effect on a photo with a simple background, it works best on photos with a busy background where you have objects that you want to cover up.
