Create a Glowing Retro LCD Effect in Photoshop

Smashing tutorial that teaches you how to create a very unique and retro-looking LCD effect. This effect can be applied to regular photos and leaves plenty of room for your own imagination.

In this tutorial we are going to use the photo This Will Really Hurt – 6, by mjranum-stock.

Step 1

Create a new document.

Step 2

Extract the character and import it to your document.

Step 3

Use the rulers (Ctrl + R) to drag out 2 guides where you want the focus to be.

Step 4

Fill the Background layer with black (press D, then Alt + Backspace).

Set white as Foreground color and Black as background color (press D, then X).

Use the Gradient Tool to create a Reflected Gradient in white to black from the center of your focus point out. Set the blending mode of the gradient to Lighten and the Opacity to about 26%.

Step 5

Create multiple gradients using different length from the center of your focus point to create a nifty warp mesh.

Tip: You can also change the FG color to black and set the blending mode of the gradient to Darken to add shadows.

Step 6

Go to Image > Adjustments > Posterize. Set the Levels to about 25.

Step 7

Go to Filter > Brush Strokes > Accented Edges.

Step 8

For the next steps to work, we first have to add some colors.

Add a Gradient Map Adjustment Layer (Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Gradient Map). Click the Copper preset, then OK.

Step 9

Make sure the Gradient Map layer you just created is selected, then press Ctrl + E to Merge.

Now apply a Water Paper filter (Filter > Sketch > Water Paper).

Step 10

And finally add a Glowing Edges filter (Filter > Stylize > Glowing Edges).

Step 11

Duplicate the Character layer and apply the filters Water Paper and Glowing Edges. Use the Filter Gallery if available to tweak the settings until you see something you like.

Fiber Length 4 and Edge Width 1 worked well for me.

Step 12

Use a black hard brush to clean up any unwanted dots on the character.

Also, if you feel like moving the character – now is a good time for that!

Step 13

Add a Black & White Adjustment Layer.

Switch to the Channels window and click the “Load channel as selection”-icon.

Switch back to your layers, create a new layer named Glow and fill the selection with white.

Now select Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Set the Radius to about 15.

Click OK, then lower the Opacity of the Glow layer to 70%.

Step 14

Create a new layer and set its Blending Mode to Color.

Use a light blue color and large soft brush to add some color variations.

Step 15

Now add a Color Balance Adjustment Layer (Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Color Balance).

Step 16

And on top of that, add a Curves Adjustment Layer (Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves). Make a smooth S-curve to increase contrast.

Step 17

Activate the Character layer (click on it). Then go to Image > Adjustments > Replace Color.

Set the Color to black and the Lightness to +7.

Step 18

Double-click the Character layer and add Stroke and Drop Shadow Layer Styles.

Step 19

With the Curves-layer active, press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + E to Stamp Visible. Name the layer Blur.

Apply a Gaussian Blur filter to the merged layer. Add a Layer Mask and drag a Radial Gradient to partially blur the image.

Step 20

To create the echo-effect (optional): Hide the Blur layer and Stamp Visible again (like in the previous step). Set the Blending Mode of the layer to Lighten, then go to Filter > Other > Offset and play around with the settings.

Repeat multiple times on several layers with different opacities.

Result

Continue reading here: Create a Beautiful Frosted Fashion Advertisement

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Readers' Questions

  • AHMAD
    How to make a sunburst in photoshop?
    10 months ago
    1. Open Adobe Photoshop and select a new document.
    2. Select the Ellipse Tool and create a circle in the center of the document. Make sure to increase the stroke for the circle.
    3. Select the Direct Selection Tool and select all of the anchor points that make up the circle.
    4. Right-click on the anchor points and select Convert To Smooth Point.
    5. Choose Object > Path > Add Anchor Point to create more anchor points around the edge of the circle.
    6. Choose Object > Path > Outline Stroke and click OK.
    7. Select the Polygon Tool and click on the circle to create a starburst.
    8. Right-click on the starburst and select Trail.
    9. Select the Paint Bucket Tool and select a color for the starburst.
    10. Select the Eraser Tool and erase any excess points or edges to make a smooth sunburst shape.
    11. Add any additional effects or textures to your sunburst to create a unique look.
    • cristina
      How to make glowing lines in photoshop?
      1 year ago
      1. Create a new layer in Photoshop.
      2. Select the Brush Tool and choose a soft brush. Set the brush size to a medium size.
      3. Select a color that you would like the glow to be. Click and drag your mouse on the canvas to create a straight line or curved line.
      4. Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Adjust the blur radius to create the desired amount of blur.
      5. Select Layer > Layer Style > Outer Glow. Adjust the blend mode, opacity and spread to create the desired glow.
      6. To create a more intense glowing effect, duplicate the layer and repeat the process.
      • ermenegilda davide
        How to create a glow effect in photoshop?
        1 year ago
        1. Open an image in Photoshop.
        2. Create a new layer.
        3. Select the Brush Tool and use a soft round brush with a size of your choice.
        4. Select a color either by using the Color Picker Tool or a hue from the Swatches palette.
        5. Paint your subject or desired area with the Brush Tool.
        6. Change the Blend Mode of the layer to Screen.
        7. Duplicate the layer and drag it to the top of the layer stack.
        8. Adjust the opacity of the layer to taste.
        9. To further enhance the glow effect, you can add a layer mask and brush in some additional color.
        • sisko
          How to create a glow in photoshop?
          1 year ago
          1. Create a new layer in Photoshop and fill it with a bright, solid color.
          2. Add a layer style to the layer. Go to Layer > Layer Style > Outer Glow. Set the blending mode to Screen, and adjust the other parameters to your desired effect.
          3. If you wish to add more intensity to the glow, you can duplicate the layer and adjust the Outer Glow settings further.
          4. To adjust the position of the glow, add a layer mask to the layer and use a soft brush to paint out the portions of the glow you don't want.
          5. If you want to move the glow, you can use the Free Transform tool to reposition it.
          6. To finish the effect, you can use the Opacity slider to adjust the overall intensity of the glow.
          • Angelia
            How to make an image glow in photoshop?
            1 year ago
            1. Open the image in Photoshop.
            2. Duplicate the background layer.
            3. Double click on the duplicated layer to open the Layer Style dialog box.
            4. Select Outer Glow under the Styles tab.
            5. Change the Color to the desired color and adjust the Size, Spread, and Opacity values as desired.
            6. Hit OK to apply the Outer Glow layer style.
            7. Duplicate the Outer Glow layer, and apply the same Layer Style but change the color to a darker value.
            8. Change the Blending Mode of the new layer to Soft Light.
            9. Merge the two Glow layers together, and adjust the opacity of the merged layer as desired.