Step 1
Open the stock image of the warrior mentioned in the 'Resources' section above.
Step 2
Using the Quick Select tool (W), create a selection around the figure of the warrior.
Step 3
Create a layer mask by clicking the layer mask button as shown below on the layer panel.
Step 4
The image below is an example of the desired effect of creating the layer mask.
Step 5
Open the stock background image (referenced in the 'Resources' section above).
Step 6
Paste the warrior onto the background image into a new layer, which I have named 'Warrior'.
Step 7
Create a merged layer copy (Shift+alt+command(ctrl)+E).
Step 8
Ensuring that the new merged copy layer is selected, switch over to the channels panel and create a copy of the red channel (right-click+Duplicate Channel). Next, open the 'Layers' pane by pressing command(ctrl)+L. Enter the values seen below: 79, 0.25, 202.
Step 9
Copy and paste the red channel copy into a new layer. Change the blend mode of the layer to Hard Light and the opacity to 50%
Step 10
Create another merged copy layer by pressing command(crtl)+alt+shift+E. We will be applying a glow effect to this layer, so i named it 'Glow Layer'.
Step 11
Ensuring the foregound color is set to black and the background color is set to white, open the 'Diffuse Glow' filter options (Filter Distort Diffuse Glow), set the parameters as shown below: Graininess - 6; Glow Amount - 3; Clear Amount - 10.
Step 12
Create a new Hue/Saturation adjustment layer (Layer New Adjustment Layer Hue/Saturation) and set the 'Saturation' value to -51. This will remove some of the color and allow the warrior image to blend better with the background.
Step 13
Create a 'Photo Filter' adjustment layer (Layer New Adjustment Layer Photo Filter). In the Adjustments pane, set the filter type to 'Sepia' and the density value to 98%. Next, change the blend mode of the Photo Filter adjustment layer to 'Color' and change the Opacity value to 51%.
Step 14
Create a new merged copy layer (command(ctrl)+shift+alt+E). I have named the layer 'Lighting Effects' as we will be adding a lighting effects filter to this layer.
Step 15
Open the Lighting Effects filter options pane (Filter Render Lighting Effects). From the Style dropdown list, select 'Soft Omni'. Position the light centerpoint on top of the warrior figure. Click 'OK' when finished.
Step 16
Change the blend mode of the Lighting Effects layer to 'Overlay' and the Opacity to 30%.
Step 17
In the Channels panel, create a copy of the blue channel (right-click+Duplicate Channel). Open the Levels pane (command(ctrl)+L) and change the Input Levels values to those shown below: 60, 0.34, and 198.
Step 18
Paste the copied blue channel into a new layer (Highlights). Alt+click the layer mask button on the layers panel to create a negative layer mask.
Step 19
Ensuring the layer mask is selected and using a soft white brush (B), paint the area as shown below to emphasize the highlights and hotspots on the figure's body.
Step 20
Change the blend mode of the Highlights layer to 'Overlay' and the Opacity to 40%.
Step 21
Create a Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer (Layer New Adjustment Layer Brightness/Contrast), and change the values to the ones shown below: Brightness -45; Contrast 32.
Step 22
Using the Lightning brushes references in the 'Resources' section, paint a lightning bolt in the top right-hand corner.
Final Product
Congratulations! You have just recreated the sought-after 300 Effect in Adobe Photoshop.
