Surreal photo effect using Photoshop

With the help of Photoshop smart filters, you can create a dreamy looking surreal effect on a any give image of nature. Follow me.

Open a nice image, similar to mine showing nature.

To be able to use smart filters, let's convert the image into a smart object.

In the menu click Layer, Smart Objects and choose Convert to Smart Object.

In the menu click Filter, Blur and choose Motion Blur...

Choose the similar settings to mine and click OK.

This is how it should look like at this point.

Click the white Smart Filters thumbnail in layer (see picture).

It's basically a filter mask over an original image.

Choose the Gradient Tool (G for a keyboard shortcut).

In the toolbar above, choose the white to black gradient (see picture).

Now click and move your mouse from top to the bottom of the document to gradually uncover the document (see picture).

You can repeat this step as many times as you want.

Let's now adjust the Motion Blur filter by clicking it in the layers (see picture).

In the Motion Blur settings window, play try different settings.

When satisfied, click OK.

We are basically done. All there's left to do is to get rid of the unpleasant looking edges.

Choose the Crop Tool (C for a keyboard shorcut).

Select the document without the unpleasant looking edges ...

... and Press Enter or click the Commit current crop operation button.

This is it. Pretty awesome looking result for so little effort, wouldn't you agree?

Check out this pop-art like Photoshop tutorial as well:

  Create a pop art like photo effect using Photoshop