Super Fast - Speed Lighting Effect

May 8th in Photo Effects by Arik

Take an image of a fireworks display and turn it into an intense sensation of speed. Manipulate natural lighting to fill a motion filled scene. Use masks to blend the effect over a car image to make the car appear to be in motion. This tutorial shows you exactly what to do. Let's get moving.

Author: Arik

Hey there! Well, I'm Arik and I have been designing for about 4 years now. I've worked my way up by reading a lot of tutorials and spending a lot of time using Photoshop. I hope that you will enjoy my contributions to psdtuts.com!

Final Image Preview

Before we get started, let's take a look at the image we'll be creating. Click the screenshot below to view the full-size image. As always, the full Photoshop file is available via our PSDTUTS Plus membership.

Click

Step 1

First, you'll need two stock images for this tutorial, one of the car, and the other is of fireworks.

Start off by duplicating your background layer. Now desaturate this image to get rid of the annoying hue by pressing Ctrl+Shift+U. Next, we'll add our own color modifications, which are more subtle, and cover the entire vehicle. Add a new adjustment color balance layer and fill in the values as shown in the screenshot. Next we place everything in a layer set called "edit". The layer set is so that you can turn off all the visibility on all the work you did. This will allow you to see the difference between the original image and how far you are in the design.

Step 2

Using the Dodge and Burn Tools with soft round brushes around 150–200px in size, with the Dodge Tool set to Highlights, the Exposure at 45-50%, the Burn Tool set to Highlights, and with the Exposure set to about 85-90%, start dodging and burning certain parts of the image. For instance, you may want to dodge the front wheel arch, the lights, Mercedes logo, grill, and the mirror. You may want to burn the rear end, the bottom, the back door a tad, and the windows until they turn completely black.

You should decide what you find adequate. If you are using a mouse like me, simply tap, instead of constantly pressing, this way you have a lot more control. We are doing this to add contrast. The After image below shows the windows blackened, and other areas as well.

Step 3

Now open up the fireworks image. Go to image > rotate canvas > 90°CW. Next go to filter > blur > motion blur. Set the angle to 0° and the distance to 750px. Hit OK. Then cut and paste this picture onto our car. We won't be using this entire image, the areas of interest have been marked in the image below. The area with the big red X over it is pretty much useless.

Step 4

Paste this "light" layer above the background copy layer and below the color adjustment layer. Set its blending mode to screen. This gets rid of the black background without hurting the other light values. Now rotate and position the spot marked with the green arrow in the previous screenshot above the right headlight, as shown below in the screenshot. You can stretch the image if you want; it's blurred already so blurring it more won't hurt.

Step 5

Duplicate the light layer and move the spot that was marked green in the previous screenshot to the left headlight. Hit Ctrl+T and size it down just a bit. Now add a layer mask to this layer. Then with a soft, black brush get rid of most of the surrounding light. Below is the image of the mask.

Step 6

Go back to your "light" layer. Select the Clone Stamp Tool (S). Set it to Linear Dodge (add) in the settings at the top of the window. Then get a decent sized brush, about 500–600px. With the settings below, start cloning different parts of the existing light onto the windows and the roof. Cloning is an easy task, you Alt-click to set a source. This is where the material will be cloned from. Then simply click on another spot on the canvas to clone a piece there. One word of caution, make sure that Sample is set to current layer!!

Step 7

Add a new layer below the "light" layer. Call it "flare". Fill this layer with black and set it to screen. Next go to Filter > Render > Lens Flare. The 105mm prime at 110% brightness looks good, but perhaps you like something else. Put the flare a bit off-center, hit OK. Then position the flare over the left headlight. You might notice a white box appear when you move around the flare—that's because the flare stretches beyond our canvas. Use a layer mask to get rid of this box.

Now make sure the "flare" layer is selected (and not the mask), hit Ctrl+U, or go to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation. Then in the dialog box, tick Colorize. Then enter 60 for Saturation. Hit OK, duplicate this layer, make it a bit smaller, and place it over the other headlight.

Tip: if you don't want to repeat the flare process again, but you do want a brighter flare, then you can duplicate the layer without moving it.

Step 8

I don't like monotone images. This image is far too red. Let's add a splash of color. Create a new Color Balance adjustment layer just above our first one. Then fill in the following values in the images below. This will give you more tones.

Step 9

Duplicate the "background copy" layer and go to Filter > Blur > Motion Blur. Then set the angle to about 35° and the distance to 25px. This gives us a very blurred image. With a layer mask, mask out areas of focus, such as the headlights, the grill with the Mercedes logo, and the windows. Also, mask out the black background, this will focus the blur more. If the background were not black, but rather there was scenery there, then it would make far more sense to leave it blurred. Since it's black, by masking it we will obtain a soft edge around the blur (since we are masking with a soft brush). Name this layer "motion blur".

Step 10

This next step is to get a bit of detail back. Duplicate the "background copy" layer. Move it above the "motion blur" layer. Now hit Ctrl+L ,or go to Image > Adjustments > Levels. This will bring up the Levels dialog. Then take the white slider, located at the right, and move it towards the middle. Next add a Layer Mask, and mask out most of this layer, except for the front of the car. I called this layer "grill detail".

Step 11

Let's light up the window a bit. The next step is to create a layer above all other layers and call this "window light". Take a low Opacity (15-20%), white, fuzzy brush, which is just big enough to cover a decent part of the window, and slightly tap a few times on the glass. This should add brightness to the light there. Last but not least, create another layer on top of all the other layers. Fill it with black. Then go to Filter > Noise > Add Noise. Set the amount to 10%, Uniform distribution, and tick Monochromatic. Set the layer to screen, and drop the Opacity to around 40%. We're done.

Conclusion

Starting with the natural lighting of a fireworks display image, we created a motion effect. You can apply this to many different objects—think sunglasses, and other reflective surfaces. It works great as a tool to enrich a scene, like a club scene where you might want some extra lights, or a whole design element for a poster. It's a strong effect you can add to your Photoshop skill set.


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User Comments

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  1. Ben Griffiths May 8th

    The end result here looks cool, kinda like on of those “Driving Music” CD Covers :D


  2. Px May 8th

    Hmm…


  3. Colin May 8th

    it’s alright i guess, it’s no speed racer


  4. arnaud May 8th

    Very cool effect !


  5. Brian May 8th

    would look better animated.


  6. Brian May 8th

    To be honest, not my favorite tutorial on PSDTuts. But still good nonetheless.


  7. infinite May 8th

    Brilliant…


  8. Lamin Barrow May 8th

    Well done.


  9. Tony May 8th

    Very Nice Tutorial !!!


  10. kamel May 8th

    hmm,reduce noise maybe?


  11. kamel May 8th

    and as i said tutorials on psdtuts are gettin short… :(
    but cool still the tutorials are :)


  12. Drawde May 8th

    Hm.. I’m sorry to say that this was tutorial was kind of boring, not up-to-par as other tutorials.


  13. Charles May 8th

    ummm… no offense but this seems like one of those tutorials you can find on those rinky dink websites. PSDTUTs set a standard of having great tutorials… this one is not really living up to that. I hope the next one is better.


  14. troxa May 8th

    silly


  15. Helmy May 8th

    Nice and simple tutorial,
    the end results, maybe too much lighting


  16. Jodau May 8th

    It does like nice, and is a good effect, but seems incomplete


  17. Craig Schlewitz May 8th

    Meh…
    :S


  18. metk5031 May 8th

    I agree with “Charles”…the first thing I thought of when I saw the effect was that this was something that could be found just by searching for photoshop tutorials on google…

    there is a reason why I keep visiting PSDTUTS every day and it’s for the high quality tutorials they offer…this, imho, is far from the quality I have come to expect.


  19. Joefrey Mahusay May 8th

    Wow Great lighting effect.


  20. Qbrushes May 8th

    which way is it speeding :l


  21. Aminur Rahman [aka Tom R] May 8th

    yep, i agree with Qbrushes, its a quick way to do speed effect.


  22. Jeii May 8th

    I guess it is so so….

    Go! go, PSDTUTS!~


  23. Kris May 8th

    One of the things that amazes me about the tutorials on this website is the difference between the end result and the first screenshot in a tutorial like this.


  24. Andrew D May 8th

    Its alright, I wouldn’t need a tutorial on how to do this though, I could probably figure it out just by looking at the image. But still good lol


  25. Me May 8th

    The lighting doesn’t match with the prospective of the car, which the title “Super Fast - Speed Lighting Effect” implies.


  26. goldenthunder May 8th

    @andrew d i agree. lol still cool though - thanks


  27. riq pepino May 8th

    sry… i dont think it looks good


  28. Danny May 8th

    Good idea to use fireworks for a completely different element, it’s ideas like those that make PSDTUTS so unique :P Love it!


  29. Slizzie May 8th

    Cool, it’s a good idea to save pictures you come across. You never know when you can use them


  30. metk5031 May 8th

    hmm…that’s odd…my earlier post has been deleted after my somewhat negative post…interesting………………


  31. ZaFaR May 8th

    Great, Looks cool!


  32. Ignician Website Design May 8th

    I think this is cool for an 80s style image. I’m a fan of the colour manipulation.


  33. Mikkel May 8th

    Hmm. Not that good. You guys can do better…


  34. BogDinamita May 8th

    probably the weirdest i’ve ever seen on PDStuts


  35. Soelberg May 8th

    No offense, but somehow I think that PSDTUTS’ tutorials are getting a little short. Instead of tutorials like this one, don’t rush, ofcouse it’s nice to get 2-3 tutorials each week, but if they are like this one, then it dosn’t matter..

    To be nornest, i am a bit disapointed about this tutorial.


  36. Shane May 8th

    Nice tutorial - I like the effect, and it’s pretty easy to achieve. Thanks for sharing Arik.


  37. Steve Forbes May 8th

    I have to agree with the majority on this one. Not really a great effect, could be polished a bit more to make it better but doesnt really stand out like the other tutorials.

    Where did the wow factor go?

    Come on PSDTUTS, you can do better!


  38. suRR May 8th

    very dull


  39. aGS May 8th

    When I saw the thumbnail I thought that it will be 3 steps… brush a few strokes, apply motion Gaussian blur in 45° and then color balance… for my surprise there are 11 steps…

    I guess this is good enough for the “very cool effect” “great effect” “brilliant” guys… they say the same in every single comment… funny.

    I must say that the end result is “eye catchy”…

    What about something more related to Graphic Design like at the beginning Collis did? You know, with a concept behind, not just “light effects”…

    Best regards.


  40. D. Carreira May 8th

    A simple but good tutorial.

    David Carreira


  41. Erwin Smith May 8th

    Not the kind of tutorial I expect to find on PSDUTS. Usually I am amazed by the QUALITY.
    But PSDUTS, IS SITLL THE BEST SITE OUT THERE!!!!!

    Erwin Smith
    (South Africa)


  42. Jesús May 8th

    Cool
    Thanks


  43. Daniel May 8th

    Cool ;-)

    Daniel


  44. Medium May 8th

    Sorry guys but this is for begginers maybe. I saw much better from you :(


  45. Fodcj May 8th

    Quite poor compared with your other tutorials (in my humble opinion).


  46. Kim Dolleris May 8th

    I guess; if you removed the mercedes its cool abstract color play. But the car kinda ruins it for me - or the other way around - dunno.

    I actually like the result at step 4 the most .

    :D Kim


  47. Geoff May 8th

    Hmmmm. Ya, I don’t need a tutorial every day… this one seems like it was posted just for the halibut. Nothing inspiring.


  48. Saswata May 8th

    Ya the dazzle could be lesser, it was good enough at step 4


  49. hmm May 8th

    wouldn’t an overlaid noise gradient be a close effect? with less steps? :: yawn ::


  50. Qw3rTy May 9th

    Stupid motion Blur and nothing else at all.


  51. Smukkekim May 9th

    @metk5031: Yeah… That’s happened to me before too… And I wasn’t even using swearwords or flaming anyone…

    Anyway… I can only agree with a lot of the comments on here - there are too many short run-of-the-mill tuts lately.

    And where is all the great PLUS-content I’m paying for? I’ve been a plus-member for three months now, and all that’s been posted are three tutorials, and a few layerstyles… not worth 27 dollars, I think.


  52. Arik May 9th

    @ aGS

    I plan to write more tutorials that are functional again.

    As for the rest. thank you for your critique, please do understand that the tutorials I write are not there to be used on their own to provide a finished composition. A tutorial is meant to teach a certain technique which can be applied in combination with various other techniques to create a good looking image.

    As far as the length of the tutorial is concerned. I generally try to write tutorials that span around 10 steps, unless I see that certain procedures are difficult and thus I break them up. Personally, I don’t like going through a 5 page or 30+ step tutorial, it just angers me.

    Anyhow, I have understood that the general public prefers long written out tutorials, with both functionality and a good polish. Therefor it will be my goal to provide these.


  53. Steve Forbes May 9th

    Thanks Arik for the explination. I think maybe if you should the technique used in different examples too at the end of the tutorial. Might show people the relivence of it and give them some more inspiration in what kind of stuff it could be used for. I dont think the car was a good use for it tho, I could think of many different things it could of been used for.

    I look forward to seeing more of your work! Keep it up dude! :)


  54. Kim Dolleris May 9th

    ;)


  55. aGS May 9th

    @Arik

    Thanks for being such a comprehensible guy, I know that deal with critic it’s hard and in this misunderstood job “Graphic Design” is the daily basis.

    I get you point about the steps, I rather prefer less steps than lots…

    I’m looking forward to see your next contribution.

    Once again, thank you.


  56. Christian Mejia May 9th

    This one was to 90’s for me, but it’s always good to refresh ‘old” techniques i guess.


  57. Soelberg May 9th

    @Arik

    Thanks for pointing it out for us. I understand you, and I agree on short tutorials are alot better than those damn long ones.. At the time I saw the final result I was disapointed, but it is because I don’t see any relevans for me as a designer, but as Steve Forbes says, some examples on how to use this tutorial somewhere else.. I think it would open my eyes alot more.. :)


  58. Rjton May 9th

    very good! ;)


  59. tripdragon May 9th

    meh


  60. tripdragon May 9th

    i take it back, less than meh.


  61. Charles Williams May 9th

    Now that I read this again… I think it would have been better to show how to produce the image in Step 3, than the finished product.

    I guess every website has their bad days…


  62. Constantin Potorac May 9th

    The effect is nice. Very short and I thing it has a nice ending. Good work


  63. Jasper Mijdam May 9th

    @Arik
    You are totally right!
    Thank you very much for the inspiring tutorial (and all the others). This one showed me that you can also use ‘plain stock’ images to use for effects or whatsoever and how to use the color adjustment layer function!


  64. Everpress May 10th

    C’mon guys; this is a legitimate and useful tutorial without a lot of un-needed steps.
    Good tut; keep it up.


  65. Thom May 10th

    To those complaining: this was free. For all of the great tutorials we have received for nothing other than our attention, it is forgivable for one to come along every once in a while that might not knock your socks off, but could provide a few tips for people who are not as versed as you are.


  66. Qbrushes May 10th

    Thom nothing to do with it being free, most comments are just expressing there right to give constructive criticism. i appreciate everything PSDtuts has , but if a tutorial looks off then why lie about it :)


  67. Thom May 11th

    Qbrushes: firstly, it is “expressing their right”, not “there”. Second, I fail to see how comments like, “Meh” and “silly…” contribute anything to the cause of “constructive criticism”.

    Furthermore, are you implying that those who did find something of value in the tips in this tutorial are lying when they express their gratitude? Because the comments to the contrary have nothing to do with anything outside of their own station.


  68. tripdragon May 12th

    Constructive criticism is not needed when such a lackluster read can be summed up in the beautiful word of ” Meh “.


  69. genco May 13th

    wery good :) beautiful handsome


  70. Design May 18th

    WOW!! Super effect!! Can’t wait to try. Thanks a lot


  71. Aleks May 19th

    Great! Thanks!


  72. Craig Snedeker May 21st

    COOL!


  73. MD June 4th

    Thanx! :D I like it a lot!


  74. Dregan July 18th

    Geesh!! At least I know I am grateful for this tut even
    if by “PSDtuts” Standards it doesn’t fly.

    I know that when I get to know my way around
    CS3 more comfortably, I won’t become such so winey as
    some of these folks sound, I mean I’m humble and
    living in a 3rd world country makes you a helluva better
    person.

    Cheers to Arik!


  75. Meh July 18th

    I find it hard to contemplate how simple and narrow minded some users are on this site. Please we all do respect but hope you do realize that most of you once were not so uber fully sick’ at photoshopping, amongst us are learners ie myself. Yes the overall finish wasn’t that great none the less it provides a great technique whom wish to build up some knowledge. Gotta work ya way up yeah?

    Anyways thanks mate, i look forward to your next lesson :)


  76. Mansoor July 24th

    Thanks for Posting.
    Excellent Tut.


  77. capiogwapo August 6th

    not bad tuts….. ekek ^_^


  78. aids August 8th

    this is really really bad… looks unfinished and rushed.


  79. phyr3al September 15th

    to all the whinging b@^%hes, shut up and say thanks.

    Its a tutorial written to help, may not be perfect, but we get the general direction he is trying to take us in. I think in this day and age some tend to forget what the word help means. If your’e all so great then why don’t we see a lot of you writing tutorials for this site I wonder?

    Thank you for your effort Arik, I liked it.


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