Step 15

Because the bottom half of the Wall layer is drastically brighter than the top, we have an imbalance. To fix this, we’ll add a ‘Burn’ layer to create a natural vignette. Use the Eyedropper to select a dark color from the shadows of this photo.

Step 16

Create a new layer and select a large soft brush around 300px in diameter. Set Opacity to 10%and start gently brushing in a vignette at the bottom of the image. Don’t worry about the tonal disparity – we’ll fix this up shortly.

Step 17

Bring up the Paths palette again, and bring up your original Hole path that you etched in the first steps. Now move a the Layers tab. Select your Forest layer, right-click, make a selection and duplicate the selection to a new layer. Position it above the Wall layer.

Step 18

Now apply a mild Gaussian Blur to the layer – this will softly diffuse the light out across the bricks and simulate the outside lighting conditions. Ctrl-click this blurred layer to get its selection. Contract your selection by 10 pixels, Feather by 5 and clear the remainder, to be left with the finished effect.

Step 19

To wrap up, all we need to add is a Color Balance adjustment layer. Add one over the top of all your other layers (Layer>Adjustment Layers> Color Balance). The first thing to do is to drag the shadows towards Red and Yellow 20 Color Balance part two Now drag the Mid tones towards Yellow, and the Highlights towards Red. Take your time to balance these values here. This adjustment layer is the only thing that you really need to unite these elements, so be sure to give it the time and care it needs.

The Final Image Click to enlarge

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