Tutorial/Starry Night

This page is a Tutorial, and gives instruction on a process or technique that can be performed in Photoshop.

A starry night can be quickly added to an image as a background.

Methods[]

The Add Noise filter can be used to generate a randomized base of pixels for further processing.

Add a new layer, filled with black.
- (Add Noise cannot be used on a blank layer!)
Use Gaussian Blur to slightly spread the noise.
Use Levels adjustment layer to trim the noise down to a few specks of light.
- For best results, place all sliders to the right of the histogram 'hump'.
- Zoom in to 100% to get a proper preview. Lower zoom levels do not work well with noisy images.
Shift colors as needed (e.g. Colorize, chromatic noise layer)

+ Relatively simple to perform.
+ Steps can be saved as an action
– Add Noise has certain limitations
- Point size is limited.
- The results may be too colorful (non-monochromatic) or too dull (monochromatic) without further steps.
– Some points have odd shapes.

Varying results can be achieved using the Brush tool and certain brushes to paint stars rather than generate them.

Use normal round brushes (at low sizes) and pointed star brushes (if available).
In Brush options, experiment with the following values:
- Standard > Spacing
- Brush Shape Dynamics
  - Size Jitter
  - Angle Jitter (for pointed stars, if desired)
- Brush Scattering
  - Scatter
  - Count Jitter
- Color Dynamics
  - Hue Jitter
  - Brightness Jitter

– Advanced brush options are not available in older versions of Photoshop.
– Requires a lot of setup time and experimentation.
- + Favorable brushes can be saved for later.
– May need extra brushes to get favorable results.

It might be preferable to search for stock photography online, and just add a suitable image as a layer.

+ Existing images are often of good quality.
– Some stock may not be licensed for derivative use.
- (Images by NASA are often released to public domain.)