Photoshop How To

Not really, of course. But you can turn your scary Halloween decorations into thriller movie masterpieces using the Neural filters in Photoshop and a little imagination. Besides, we all know there’s no such thing as a Zombie. Right?

Just in time for Halloween, I grabbed shot of a neighbor’s yard and began experimenting with the Neural Filters in Photoshop 2023. I started with the Style Transfer filter. It reproduces an image in the style of a famous artist or genre. I used the Smart Portrait filter too, and it found the faces on the skulls so I could make them handsome. Then I began playing with Blending Modes, and I copied a couple shots and pasted them onto themselves slightly out of phase. I adjusted Levels and Curves and I don’t remember what all. Oh – last image is from a different source file; in this shot a car went by and left an interesting streak, so I decided to just go with it.

You won’t find stroke-by-stroke instructions here because, frankly, I just kept on manipulating the picture as the urge moved me. I didn’t stop to take notes. And that’s okay because the objective today is to inspire you to start with a fairly simple picture and use the Neural Filters as a springboard to creativity.

Good luck, have fun and happy Halloween. And remember, Zombies cannot see the color red. In case of a Zombie Apocalypse, cover yourself with catsup and you’ll be just fine. I carry a bottle with me at all times. I also carry catsup.

Gallery below. Tech Specs: Sony Alpha a7RII, Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Zoom, 1/320 sec at f/6.3, ISO 400, handheld. No Zombies were harmed during the capture of this image. All images © Jon Sienkiewicz.

—Jon Sienkiewicz