Computersight -

How to create a sun using Photoshop

Open a new canvas, 1198×768 pixels or any size you desire. I use 1198×768 because this is the best size for my monitor if i want to use the image as a wallpaper. Alternatively use any size canvas that you like

Turn the background black using the paintbucket tool, this can be found on the tool panel on the left of the screen.

Now it’s time to add some stars to the background – Go to Filters>Noise>add Noise. In the pop-up menu put a resonable amount, for best result 8-16%. Don’t forget to check the Gaussian and Monochromatic. Click OK.

To make the stars, go to Image>Adjustments>Brightness/Contrast. Move the sliders like in the example. Play with values until you reach the amount of stars you want. At this stage you image should look like this.

Create a new layer, go to layer>new>layer or alternatively press Ctrl+shift+N.

Then use the eliptical marquee tool, and while holding down shift, create a circle selection. Make it big. Fill the selection with black using the same steps noted in stage 2 of this tutorial.

Now go to Filter>Render>Difference Clouds. If not satisfied with the result, hit CTRL+F (Command +F on macintosh) again and again until you reach the result you want.

Then go to Image>Adjustments>Levels, or alternatively press CTRL+L (Cmd+L on Mac). Move the center and right slider towards the left, see the image below for example.

Now go to Filter>Sharpen>Unsharp Mask and use the values: Amount: 499%, Radius: 2.6 and Threshhold: 9. You can alter these values to anything you like, the values i use are simply a guide to help make things easier for you.

Now go to Filters>Distort>Spherize and change the ammount to anything you want. I prefer to use 80-100%.

At this stage this is what your image should look like, if its not exact don’t worry it depends on the different settings you used as you followed this tutorial.

Now its time to adjust the colour balance, go to Image>Adjustments>Colour Balance and choose the colour levels you want. I prefer the following:

Shadows : +100 / 0 / -1oo
Midtones : +100 / 0 / -1oo
Highlights : +70 / 0/ -15

Remember these are only guides and you can change them to anything you want.

Go again to Filters>Sharpen>Unsharp Mask and use these values: Amount: 275%, Radius: 4.5 and Treshold 40 levels. Again these are just guidelines.

Finnally right click on your Sun layer and click Blending Options to bring up the Layer Style screen. Change the inner shadow and the outer glow to anything you desire.

 The finished product – dont worry if yours turns out differently, its all the fun to play around and create your own unique sun!

Here is another variation that i created by simply changing some of the settings:

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