Author: James Qu

James is a seasoned Photoshop expert with over 25 years of experience based in Australia. As the driving force behind PSD Vault, he authors the majority of its in-depth tutorials and insightful articles.

In this tutorial, I will show you the processes I used to transform an avarage day photo into a really nice golden sunset scene in Photoshop. This tutorial is inspired by this magnificant work from the Ubisoft game Fry Cry 2.

Together we will explore techniques such as layer blending, image adjustments, non-destructive photo editing, use of pen tool and various image filters. It’s an easy tutorial, have a go!

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In this tutorial, I will show you the steps I took to create this really cool, abstract-style fragmented text effect by applying scrap texture in Photoshop. Sometimes, those scrappy wastes do have their uses :)

Along the way, we will be using some basic selection techniques, image adjustments, layer blending options, and dynamic lighting rendering. It’s a very simple tutorial however the result is good. Have a try!

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In this tutorial, I will show you the processes I took to draw a realistic planet by applying waterstream texture in Photoshop. I’m sure you have seen heaps of planet drawing tutorials around, but you can still use this tutorial as a supplement to others :)

Along the way, we will be going through the use gradient tool, clipping mask, image adjustment tools, various filters and some selection techniques.

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In this tutorial, I will show you how you can apply dynamic colour and lighting effect to highlight your images and give them a shining and metallic effect in Photoshop.

By following this tutorial, you will gain further understanding into image adjustment tools, layer blending modes and various filters. Have a go, it’s simple :)

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In this tutorial, I will show you the steps I took to transform a cloud image into an explosion scene in Photoshop. I was having a play with some cloud photos I took the other day and discovered this effect by accident :)

This effect is easily achieve through some simple layer blendings and image adjustments. Other techniques include selection tool, various filters and free transformation tools.

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In this tutorial, I will show the processes involved in making this shining and refreshing transparent text effect with sky and cloud textures. We had some really interesting clouds on the sky yesterday and that’s where I’ve got the inspiration from :)

The techniques included in this tutorial are layer styles, gradient fills, clone stamp tools, blur filters and various image adjustment and transformation tools. It’s a simple tutorial so have a go!

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In this tutorial, I will show you the steps I took to make a grassy and flowery soft drink can in Photoshop. I know it sounds weird but I actually found the inspiration from seeing a soft drink can lying on the lawn in my backyard!

Together we will be exploring various layer blending methods, image adjustment tools and methods of adding colour depth. Have a go!

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In this tutorial, I will show you the processes I used to transform an average forest Photo into a Dark and Crimson Forest Scene, inspired by the Japanese Survival Horror Playstation game “Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly”.

We will explore various layer blending options, an interesting way of rendering light and various image adjustment options.

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In this tutorial, I will show you how to design a Modern Glossy Navigation Bar in Photoshop. This is a beginner tutorial with a just few simple steps, aiming to help beginner web designer for making their first-ever web page.

Skills involved in this tutorials are selection tools, layer blending options, and some simple gradiant filling techniques. Have a go!

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In this tutorial, I am going to show you the steps I took to create this awesome starry text effect in Photoshop. The inspiration of this text effect comes from the EA game “Dead Space”.

Together we will practice some brush techniques, layer blending options, selection techniques and applying filter effects.

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Welcome to Part III of the “Seeking Inspiration” series on PSD Vault! In this part, we focus on looking at some fantastic Abstract Designs.

In my opinion, abstract design is a wonderful way of expressing your creativity and maximise it to the extreme. They are meaningless, yet can be so meaningful if you could somehow inject your own thoughts and imagination into them.

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In this tutorial, I will show you the processses involved in transforming an average photo into a mysterious dark portal to the underworld scene, inspired by the famous Playstation hack-and-slash game Devil May Cry.

The techniques used in this tutorial include layer blending styles, various image adjustment tools, filters and some basic selection techniques. The steps are very simple and straight-forward. Give it a go!

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In this tutorial, I will show you a very simple way to achieve this cool crystal text effect in Photoshop. I accidentally discover this method when I was playing with the layer blending options and I decide to share this with you guys..

This is a short and simple tutorial and you should have no trouble doing it :). Have a try!

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Welcome to the second part of “Seeking Inspiration” on PSD Vault. This time we take a look at those design works containing a reletively dark theme. Although the dark colour/theme can be a little depressive sometimes, they can always offer a mysterious and gloomy atmosphere.

I Hope you enjoy this post and let me know what you think of them :)

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In this tutorial, I will show how easy it is to adjust lightness for your photos by using the LAB Mode in Photoshop. You can apply this tutorial to any photo you like.

We will also explore the use of layer blending options, hue/saturation tool and various filters in Photoshop.

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