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Step 1
Lets get started. To begin open your canvas (I used size 1200×900px) and drag in the landscape stock. From here pull out the Burn Tool (O) and use it to darken some areas to create some shadow on the hills below the position where the buildings will be.
Step 2
Next, drag in the cityscape stock, resize it and position it (Ilowered its Opacity to 30% in order to position it) so the buildingsnest on top of the hill. You can position it where you like. Next youneed to get rid of all of the parts of the stock we dont need so youhave to do the tedious job of rendering around the buildings.
Step 3
Next, duplicate the rendered stock layer and flip them around abitand position them so that they fill the rest of the hill tops.
Step 4
Now, create a new layer and apply the image: Image > Apply Image.On this new layer, take out the burn tool again and darken the areaswhere the buildings meet the hilltops to create a smoother transitionand in the sky area surrounding the buildings.
Step 5
For the next step you will need some star/planet brushes, I got mine from DeviantArt. On a new layer, select a few brushes that you like and in 2 or 3 places add the brushing to the sky.
Step 6
Next we are going to create a new layer and apply the image again (Image > Apply Image). Now we are going to add some lighting to this layer so go to Filter > Render > Lighting Effects and select 2 0'Clock Spotlight. Play about with the angling settings until you get something that you like.
Step 7
Make another new layer and apply the image yet again. We are going to play around with the colouring now so go to Image > Adjustments > Color Balance.Select the Midtones radio button and in the 3 Color Levels boxes enterthese values: +46 +11 +13. Now select the Highlights radio button andenter these values: +26 +16 -7. Again, you can play around with thesesettings if you want a different look.
Step 8
Next we are going to add 2 gradient maps. To do this click on thehalf black, half white circle on the bottom of the layers palette andfrom the menu select Gradient Map. In the dialogue box select thePurple > Orange gradient which should be a default one and click ok.Set this layer to soft light and lower the opacity to 50%. Do the sameagain but this time select a Black > White gradient map, set this toDarken and lower the opacity to 20%.
Step 9
Create another new layer and apply the image again. Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur, drag the slider to around 1.0 and hit enter. I then set this layer to soft light at 20%.
Step 10
Next we're going to play around with the depth of the image usingcurves. To do this click on the half black, half white circle on thebottom of the layers palette and from the menu click on Curves. Fromthe Preset list select Custom. Now play around with the curves for eachRGB color in the Channels list, this will have a big impact the overalllook of your finished piece so feel free to experiment.
Step 11
Next we will sharpen the image so go to Filter > Sharpen > Sharpen. Lower the opacity of this layer to 30%.
Step 12
To add abit more depth to the image we will add another curveslayer. Set the Preset back to none and play about with the curves untilyou get something you like.
Conclusion
Hopefully you will find something in the tutorial useful. Remember...The only limit is your imagination, so dont hold back.
Here's the final piece