How I did "Vista"

[Sepiana]

I was asked how I did the image Vista (I couldn't get the link to work, so I attached a thumbnail.) posted in the Village Gallery, and if I could share the info.

I didn't use any specific tutorial, but a poutpourri of techniques I've learnt. Here is what I did:

1. Open your photo. Duplicate the background layer. (Ctrl-J)
2. If necessary, crop your photo to a width size that can be divided into 3 same-size panels.
3. Do any retouching or enhancing needed.
4. Create a new file. File > New > Blank > Size = a bit larger than your photo.
5. Foreground color (of your choice) > Press Alt-Backspace to fill the blank file with color.
6. Filter > Texture > Texturizer > Choose a texture and settings of your liking.
7. Open photo. Select the Rectangular Marquee Tool. Make a rectangular selection for the left panel. Edit > Copy.
8. Open blank file. Edit > Paste.
9. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 to create the middle panel.
10. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 to create the right panel.
11. Select Move tool. Drag the panels to align them. (Make sure there are no gaps in between the panels.)
12. In the Layers palette, highlight the left panel layer. Ctrl-Click on the thumbnail to create a selection.
13. Image > Transform > Perspective > Drag a corner handle to distort the left panel image.
14. Highlight the right panel layer. Ctrl-Click on the thumbnail to create a selection and repeat Step 13 to distort the right panel image.
15. Merge down the three panel layers. (Ctrl-E)
16. Ctrl-Click on the merged layer thumbnail to create a selection.
17. Foreground color > black.
18. Edit > Stroke (Outline) Selection. Choose an appropriate pixel size. Choose Inside.
19. To create the dividing lines between the panels, select a hard round brush, same color and size as the stroke. Click at one end of the line, hold down the Shift key, click on the other end. (Voila! A straight line!)
20. Layer Styles > Drop Shadows > Soft Edge.
21. Flatten image.

TIP: Make good use of the Grid and the Zoom tool. Your eyes will thank you!

[swalkr]

I recognize Mt. Moran for sure. Good work! I'm going to try your instructions.

[LauraE]

I tried the tutorial but I did not use the Grid so my results were very amateurish. I was also in a hurry. I will definetely give it another try.