Creating northen lights

Before:

After:

In this tutorial you will need the "Felis Faber Fima effects pack" plugin (Learn more...)(Download).

Step 1.

Start working by creating a new file (File>New).
Now let's import some image. I will use this image. Name a new layer with this image as "Ground". Now, the "Background" layer can be removed. With the "Polygonal Lasso Tool" (L) create a marquee selection of the sky. When done, press "Delete" to clear the shy.

Step 2.

Add a new layer on bottom of the "Ground" layer and fill it with black. Name the new layer "Stars"

For the "Stars" layer use "Filter -> Scetch -> Reticulation" with the "Density" of 5

Step 3.

Create a new layer, name it "Fade" and place it above "Stars" layer. Then, position your cursor in the middle of the forest and click-and-drag dupward to the top to add the gradient on this layer. Use the image below for reference.

Set the "Fade" layer on "Multiply"

Step 4.

For the "Ground" layer, go to "Felis Faber -> Color Temperature" (Learn more...)(Download)

Step 5.

Set the next shown parameters for the "Ground" layer by clicking on this layer on the layers’ panel

Add a new layer. Name it "Shine". This layer needs to be placed lower than the "Ground" layer on the layers’ panel. Get out the "Rectangl Tool" to create a rectangle like on my screenshot below. Color #0000ff

Ok, now use "Filter -> Blur -> Gaussian Blur" with "Radius" of 90 for the "Shine" layer. Set up layer opacity about 50%

Step 6.

Alright, now let’s create some planet. Create a new layer. Name it "Planet". Place the "Planet" layer above the "Shine" layer. Get out the "Elliptical Marquee Tool" to create selection like on my screenshot below. Hold Shift button to get proportional to the selection.

While still having the marquee selection active, go to "Filter -> Render -> Clouds".

Step 7.

Now, go to "Filter -> Distort -> Spherize" with the "Amount" of 100%

Next, duplicate the "Planet" layer (Ctrl+J). Go to "Filter -> Stulize -> Emboss" for the new layer.

Set the layer on "Multiply" with an oppacity of 55%. Merge “Planet copy” and “Planet” layers together and name the new layer "Planet"

Step 8.

Go to "Edit > Free Transform" and resize the planet to something similar to what I have.

Layer style for the "Planet"

Set the "Planet" layer opacity to 70%

Step 9.

Create a new layer, name it “Shadow” and place it above the “Planet” layer. Holding "Ctrl" button click on the "Planet" layer thumbnail to create selection. Fill selected area of the "Shadow" layer with black. Use "Free Transformation" (Ctrl+T). Your result should look like this

Set the "Shadow" layer on "Multiply". Go to "Filter -> Blur -> Gaussian Blur" with "35,0".

Step 10.

Ok. Let's create nothern lights!

Create a new layer (above the others). Name it "Lights".

Use "Brush Toll" to get the result be something similar to this

Step 11.

Duplicate the "Lights" layer (Ctrl-J). Use "Filter -> Blur -> Motion Blur" for the new layer.

Step 12.

Now, using "Move tool" lift up lights of the "Lights copy" layer. Lights on the "Lights" layer should be in the bottom of the aurora.

While having the "Lights" layer selected, go to "Filter -> Blur -> Gaussian Blur"

Merge “Lights copy” and “Lights” layers together and name the new layer "Lights"

Step 13.

Create a layer mask for the "Lights" layer (“Layer -> Layer Mask -> Reveal All”). While having the "Lights" layer mask selected, go to "Filter -> Render -> Fibers"