This tutorial will focus on how to showcase your images in a far more impressive and attractive way. For this example I’ve used the Push Standards logo, but you can really use it with anything - icons, product boxes, website thumbnails etc… You will impress your clients and visitors far more than simply posting a regular boring image. Next time you launch a new competition on your blog, or announce a new product, why not really make it stand out!

Step 1

Choose an image with some kind of graffiti or sketch on it:

Step 2:

De-saturate the layer:

Step 3:

Apply a radial gradient on a new layer, going from dark gray in the center of the image, to black:

Step 4:

Go to menu > filter > filter gallery and apply these settings to your radial gradient layer. Reduce the opacity of this layer to around 85%

Step 5:

The result should look something like this. The effect is used to give subtle texture to your completed image.

Step 6:

Apply filter > render > lighting effects using the settings below. You should apply the effect to the center of your image.

Step 7:

The result should look like this:

Step 8:

Create a new top layer. Apply the same radial gradient as you did originally, and then repeat the lighting effects filter on this layer. Make this new layer around 75% opacity, and then reduce your previous radial gradient layer to around 65% opacity. This is to let the detail of the graffiti show through better.

Step 9:

Flatten all layers, then select the top half of your image and copy it. Then go to the history toolbar, and undo flattening the layers. Paste your copied section of the image onto a new top layer.

Step 10:

Go to edit > transform > flip vertical and then move your flipped image down to the bottom of your entire image. This should make it look like a reflection of the top half of the image.

Step 11:

Go to edit > transform > skew and skew your ‘reflected image’ layer like so: (see the result of this also)

Step 12:

Create a new layer. Select the bottom half of your image and apply a linear gradient (going from light to dark downwards) using the same colors as your radial gradients. Fill the remaining top half of your image with black.

Step 13:

Reduce the opacity of this new layer to around 20%

Step 14:
Paste the image that you want ’showcased’ in the center of the top half of your image.

Step 15:

Duplicate this new ’showcased image’ layer and go to edit > transform > flip vertical. Move the flipped image down to roughly the center of the bottom half of your image.

Step 16:

Reduce this new layers opacity to around 10%, and then go to edit > transform > skew and skew the image like so:

Finished!

You can see the finished image below. Some people may argue that this tutorial could be done far simpler, but I really feel that in showcasing your work it’s important to take the extra time to work on the small details. Your visitors will undoubtedly respect the effort that you put into showcasing your work.