In this tutorial we will be looking at how to create an “out of bounds effect” where a train will be coming out of it’s own photo border offering a very surreal effect. This effect can be applied to any object, not just trains!
Step One First, we are going to create the minimalist background to our image. Create a Color Fill adjustment layer and set it to a dark gray blue (#1f2a34).
Next, create a new layer and fill it with black. Set the layer to “Screen”. Add noise by going to Filter > Noise > Add Noise. Settings: Amount 5%, Uniform, Monochromatic.
To complete the background, create a diagonal black and white Gradient. Here are my settings:
Set the layer style to “Overlay”
Step Two Next we are going to create the area the photo will be. Create a white rectangle using the Shape tool.
Now right click on the transformation anchors and select “Perspective”.
Stretch the left side of the shape back. Mess around with it until you have something like this:
Step Three Now we are going to extract and place our train. Find a photo of a train (image #8762727), resize it so that it is the same height as your white rectangle, and extract the front of the train. Whatever method of extraction you use does not matter, just make sure you use layer masks.
Next, you want to (mostly) remove the part of the train that will be in the photo. I used a smoke brush to mask out the train smoke.
Then I removed the ground, and the small details around the front of the train.
Now, duplicate your train image, remove the layer mask and clip it into your white rectangle.
To finish up the front of the train create a new layer and clip it into the original train layer (the layer that is still masked out, and not clipped into the white rectangle). Set it to “Overlay”. With a soft round brush paint white in the light areas and black in the shadowy areas. Lower the layer opacity if need be.
Step Four Now, to make the photo part of the image more distinct we are going to make it sepia toned.
First clip a black and white Gradient adjustment layer into the white rectangle, above the train image. Above that, clip a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer and set it to -50 contrast. And finally above the clip a Photo Filter adjustment layer set to “Sepia” at 100%.
You will have something like this:
With a large black round brush paint black on all three of the layer adjustment’s layer masks so that it fades from color to sepia.
Step Five Next, we are going to construct our photo’s border to give it a Polaroid effect.
Duplicate the white rectangle shape and enlarge it so that it creates a border around the train image. You may have to elongate it as well. Here is what I got:
Add a Gradient Overlay layer effect with the settings you see below:
Create a new layer and clip it into the larger white rectangle. With a large, soft brush paint black on the bottom, and corners of the rectangle and white in the middle. Lower the layer opacity if need be.
Now, create a new layer below the large rectangle. Using a large soft round brush paint black below and behind the rectangle to give the train and frame a shadow.
Step Six To finish off our image, we are going to create three adjustment layers above all our other layers. These layers will add contrast and color to the overall image. Here are the three layers from bottom to top:
Color Lookup layer: Crisp Warm, 31% opacity Color Lookup layer: Teal Orange, 20% opacity Brightness/Contrast layer: Brightness 9 and Contrast 39
And you are done! Did you enjoy this tutorial like we had? Do share your results with us at the comments below!