How to FREAK People Out Using Photoshop

Turning someone's eyes completely black is easier than you'd think in Photoshop, and today Aaron shows you the whole process, starting with a genuinely messy photo shoot.

After pouring black liquid over his own head for the shoot, Aaron walks through selecting the best shots in Lightroom, then blacking out the eyes in Photoshop while preserving the original catchlight reflection so the effect still looks believable and unsettling.

CHAPTERS
0:00 Freaking People Out with Photoshop
1:09 Photographing the Black Liquid Shoot
3:26 Selecting the Best Shots in Lightroom
7:32 Painting Black Over the Eye
9:46 Restoring the Eye's Reflection
12:23 Whitening the Background with Levels
13:23 Desaturating for a Creepier Final Look

THE STEPS
1. Shoot facing a large window or light source so a visible reflection appears in your subject's eyes, which is essential for the effect to look real.
2. On a new layer, use the Brush tool to paint black over the entire eye, then apply a Gaussian Blur so the edges blend in naturally.
3. Use Select, then Color Range, and click the brightest part of the original reflection to select it precisely.
4. On a new layer above the black one, paint white over that selection to restore the reflection on top of the blacked-out eye.
5. Add a Curves adjustment layer, invert its mask, and paint around the eye to darken the eyelid so it looks like it's reflecting the black.
6. Use a Levels adjustment layer with the white point eyedropper on your background to make it pure white, then desaturate with a Black & White adjustment layer for a creepier finish.

Download the sample image: phlearn.com/tutorial/freak-out-photoshop/

PHLEARN PRO: Want to learn more creative effects like this one? Check out PHLEARN PRO at phlearn.com/pro

―――――――――――――――

What is PHLEARN PRO?
● Instant access to over 1,000 Photoshop and photography tutorials
● New tutorials added every week
● Download sample images and project files to follow along
● Ask questions and get feedback from a community of creatives

Join PHLEARN PRO: phlearn.com/subscribe/

Follow PHLEARN:
Instagram: instagram.com/phlearn/
Facebook: facebook.com/phlearn
Twitter: twitter.com/phlearn

#Photoshop #SpecialEffects #PhotoshopTutorial