How to Turn on Headlights in Photoshop

I Guarantee I Can Teach You to Master Photoshop. Learn How: phlearn.com/aaronwillteachyou
This episode is a real turn on! Car lovers rejoice: Learn How to Turn on Headlights in Photoshop! Learn all the tricks to creating realistic light, including lens flares and light streaks made from scratch.
A great way to start is to really analyze and sketch out your ideas for the photo. This can clarify what will need to be done to complete a realistic effect.
For this picture, we plan out where the beam of light will be and in which direction it will shine. We also decide that it makes sense for the light to be brighter closer to the actual headlight, and gradually decrease as it gets farther from the car. We notice that the headlight should be shown shining on the road as well. And for a special touch, a lens flare will complete the look!
Creating the Beam of Light
Select the polygonal lasso tool and create a shape that will encompass the main beam of light. Fill it with white. Now, go to Filter - Blur Gallery - Field Blur. You will see a little dial pop up, which can be adjusted to add less or more blur. You can click on another area and add an additional blur dial. This is very useful because it allows you to make the beam of light blurrier as it gets father from the car! If you need to, you can transform the beam (Cmd + T) to be at a slightly different angle, or stretch it out.
Adding Effects to the Light
To give the high-beam a glow, double click on the layer and check the "Outer Glow" box. You can choose the color for the glow - we chose a yellowish tint here. Feel free to adjust the amount of glow as well as the opacity to get just the look you are going for! Add a layer mask and create a gradient over it to lessen the glow as it gets farther from the car.
Adding Subtle Light Streaks
This is a small adjustment but will go a long way in terms of impact! Using the brush tool, click all over and make random dots and marks on a new layer. Then, go to Filter - Blur - Radial Blur. Select "Zoom" and adjust the amount of blur. It will make the dots look like they are moving at warp speed, which will later turn into light streaks! Place the center of the layer right over the headlight. Change the Blend Mode from Normal to Screen. Then, create a Hue/Saturation layer if you need to change the color of the light. Again, don't be afraid to transform this layer to adjust its angle or size. Go with what looks right (it might take some time to be able to recognize what looks most correct. Keep practicing!).
Adding Light to the Road
This is the same concept we used for the initial beam of light. Create oval shapes on the ground using the elliptical marquee tool, and fill it with the same yellowish color we used for the light streaks. Add a gaussian blur to the layer and duplicate it so that it appears to be coming from each headlight. The color can be tweaked by using a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer.
Special Touches: Lens Flares & Gradients
Now the real fun begins! Create a stamp visible layer (Shift +Opt + Cmd + E). Go to Filter - Render - Lens Flare. You are able to choose the size and position of the flare. However, it is very limiting to place the lens flare directly onto the stamp visible layer. To get past this problem, place the lens flare on a black layer and change the Blend Mode to Screen.
Gradients are simple but quite impactful. Click on the Gradient Tool and create a gradient that goes from black to a bright yellowish orange color. Then change the Blend Mode to Soft Light. The black part of the gradient serves as a sort of vignette, and the bright part of the gradient will reflect what is happening with the bright headlights.
As you can tell, there are many little details in this technique that work together to create a realistic final look. If you take the time with each step, there will be no question that your headlights are truly turned on!
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[@daronadkins4251]

OMG, that lens flare trick just changed my life! I can't believe I never thought of just putting it on black layer...

[@FR-ph]

Can I be honest? I'm a pro photographer and retoucher, I already know how to do the 70/80% of the things you teach in these videos, but I watch them anyway, cos I really love your way of teaching and humor. You're really entertaining!!

[@FR-ph]

+Francesco Rossi Really love this channel.

[@ksniper4847]

I dont even HAVE photoshop and I still watch these

[@framboise5326]

+Francesco Rossi He's great, isn't he? :)

[@DeGameManiak]

+The Lonesome Villager lol me 2

[@phoenixvette]

I love the summary at the end. perfect for when I come back for a reminder. I don't have to watch the whole thing again. 16:00

[@butchpouka]

Have you created Photoshop! I've been following your tutorials for over a year, how come you know sooooo much!! Is there like a ranking that I'm not aware of and that you are actually THE BEST photoshop guru ever?

[@elsololobo]

I really love how you present your tutorials, I am a freelance photographer and studying all my post processing through youtube only. I am very glad I found your tutorials.

[@SoumenSahaJyoti]

It just amazes me how easily and effectively you make things done! Always love to see your tuts!

[@azulsiena]

Pretty cool tutorial Aaron! always is a pleasure to learn with you! thanks!!!!!!

[@deltaromeoz]

all these tutorials are free! thats amazing man. really appreciate ur every effort.you seem to be a very simple and nice person. take care and thanks from thousands miles away.

[@deltaromeoz]

And the best thing about you is that u always reply back...thanks for being my inspiration for learning photoshop and continue Photography....

[@xaGe__]

Your tutorials are so awesome! Thank you guys for this channel.

[@AaronGRandall]

I really like the transitions that separate each section. Very nicely done. :)

[@heleneharmon1705]

Just what I needed for my creation with bus headlights. Almost did my own thing which would have been WRONG! So glad I found Aaron again to explain precisely (and clearly) what steps to take in order to achieve a mind-blowing headlight. Whenever I see Phlearn pop up in my searches, I know I'm home.

[@fielding68]

First class tutorial. Thank you.

[@WeNeedtheSavior]

Just dropping a line to express how much I appreciate the videos. Great format, entertaining, and very educational. Thank you and please keep up the great work!

[@LawReam]

Amazing tutorial! The best. Thank you. I have been using photoshop since 4.0, over 10 years. You made this so easy to follow that I just played the video in the background while I actually worked on my file. Only had to go back once or twice on your video. Absolutely top tier work. Thank you!!!

[@esinohio]

Having a blast going through all these tutorials! Very well done.

[@ronnagar]

Aaron you are an excellent teacher. Make things look so simple.. The summaries are great. Thanks

[@ienupar2003]

Flawless tutorial, as usual!

[@rimashaji4152]

Really Helpful Tutorial.. Mr. Aaron

[@wilbmoore]

I agree I don't know how anybody could dislike this video this method can be used on so many things in your photography or graphic design or whatever. Phlearn another great tutorial.

[@gorlestondoug]

I was struggling a bit with photoshop until i discovered Phlearn tutorials. These are by far the best in my opinion, many thanks.

[@65yorkie]

Another great tutorial Aaron. You have the fine skill of making learning entertaining. Many thanks and keep up the good work.

[@joydee5702]

This is a great channel for actually everyone, from students to amateurs and professionals. Very well explained tutorials, well cut, the examples are superb. Absolutely recommending, thank you so much!

[@wilson4605]

Thanks Mr. Thomas and Mr. John Knoll for has created the best image editor software ever!. This software will have no competitor for the next 100 years.

[@MostafaNada]

Nice tutorial specially the light beam part Thanks a lot

[@futzalfan]

Nice flow in the tutorial. Several quality, useful tips included. Thank you buddy!

[@RaudiA4]

What a beautiful man you are Aaron Nace! Really enjoyed this episode and look forward to applying these techniques to my own shots. Great great work! Please please keep it up 👍

[@soufianenajah4746]

Aaron watching your videos is like a therapy. I just come here sit and learn cool stuff from a chilled, funny guy with cool background music. Awesome, thanks a lot!

[@framboise5326]

most simply instructed and engaging photoshop video tutorial I have seen thus far - thank you! Kudos, love your channel

[@SimiGarewalOfficialpage]

Brilliant!!!

[@PostColorGear]

Aaron, kudos for upping the production value on your videos, but still being down to earth and leaving in little things like the "special it up..." part of the video :) Keep that up!!

[@wrx552]

Thanks for tutorials! You are the best!

[@derekoriley8549]

This is a great technique that you shared with us. I will make much use of this. Thanks Phlearn!

[@moyyo]

Thanks for the tutorial, its easy to understand and fun video! thumbs up.

[@crearte1]

Great tutorial, thanks!

[@doctoriphone23]

Super cool tutorial!! Keep up the good work!!

[@juanscarnati]

thanks from Argentina ! u r a BEAST of PH !

[@jaytube227]

Really great episode....from the start to the very end lol. The recap near the end is really helpful too!

[@yoyoz333]

great stuff AAron. cheers boss

[@MobileCustoms]

Fantastic tutorial, Thanks so much!

[@nankehoe8760]

Great episode, learn a great deal, thanks.

[@ionpetrisor9675]

Thank you! Very helpful video!

[@lukesz8459]

Great Tut! Thanks.

[@husbyhogan]

Thanks a lot, very great tutorial!

[@jayadacarvalho6837]

super cool! Thanks!

[@kongjemmy]

really cool tutorial.. thank you

[@user-qw2yo6qn1x]

The best ps tutorials I have ever seen!

[@BagHolder323]

Excellent tutorial. Supe realistic.

[@roberthofer1629]

excellent again - thanks!!!!

[@THEGREMLINGUY]

Thanks for this epic tutorial!!

[@eoslove2022]

This technique is SO perfect for our car light painting sessions!

[@frankbiz]

You are amazing. Great tutorial, Thanks.

[@LeopoldFan]

This is amazing, thanks for this.

[@martojano6159]

Everything is in there. Thank you again.

[@MZ72]

This is really awesome, ANace! I can use this technique in many wayz... Thanks a lot man!

[@ivancho2085]

Many Thanks bro, excellent tutorial.

[@Jay0Ve17]

Thank you!

[@JustJimWillDo]

It only occurs to me now, after watching many of your excellent tutorials, that a searchable list of just the wrap-ups at the end would be a great thing to have. Maybe in video form, but also just as acceptable would be a text/http dot point listing of the steps. Love your work!

[@marcomorelli4051]

I was trying to find a tutorial about this like a week ago, THANK YOU

[@Nattybread]

Awesome video. THANK YOU!

[@dragokolich4227]

thank you bro!! so cool your tutorial!

[@HMayoralModestti]

Damn this tut was fantastic!! Excellent!

[@kwawukosidieudonne4102]

thank you so much

[@AitorITurbe]

You're number one in photoshop friend.

[@AcidDotDrop]

As a small tipp, create a new layer, fill it with 50% grey and apply a lens flare on that layer. Then turn the layermode to soft light or overlay. That way you can edit, scale, warp, whatever the flare much better.

[@gerritpuddig]

Over-Awesome! Thanks!

[@MoonfarrierFX]

Awesome and good tutorial as always. Aaron is really a great Tutorialist ;-) Greetings from Germany.

[@deskrat]

Man! Whenever I'm editing a photo I'm always bringing up one of your videos! Thank you so much for the feedback you've been giving me on my own photos as well. You are awesome!

[@proto35]

This was proper. Thanks a bunch, been trying to get better at this and I realized I have been approaching it all wrong. Subbed.

[@GAMEPLAYEREN]

Thanks for lesson Tomorrow i going to try it.

[@Silvermanshehadi]

i luv you your amazing.. keep dishing out these videoes :*

[@seireiart]

Nice tutorial :DD

[@GroggRhine]

Cheers! That was refreshing. Now to give it a shot :) Thanks;

[@taminoemth2486]

Great video!

[@TheVileHenchman]

Was explaining this tutorial to my girl, and I actually used your phrase "special it up." You should totally own that Aaron! Another great tutorial :D

[@a.clogeshvar8265]

just awesome bro what a creative mind i'm inspired

[@TheBeinglukham]

You are Awesome Aaron :) Great tutorial.

[@TheBeinglukham]

***** You are most welcome :)

[@adefabrisio8576]

Dude..... You Are Really Awesome.... Thanks Alot Man....... So helpfulll..... You totally Rock

[@davideldelasfotos]

Doble like excelente tutorial.

[@sportsvideos8155]

Aaron your videos are awesome and very helpful ! Just next ❤️ #biggestfan 🙏🏼

[@raymondstpaul4913]

Wow always wanted to do this THANK YOU FOR THE TUTORIAL! An I still use Photoshop CS6 Extended so this helps a lot!

[@ashtycodm7489]

thank you so much wow i learnt a lot

[@221trees]

thank u

[@user-dq7gi4pq8z]

wow it's so good thank you very much

[@jessaek2]

awesome !

[@snug001]

awesome, as usual :)

[@DanielRuf]

that was great, thank you so much! xx

[@DayTripperLennon]

Great tip

[@Walidarts]

thanks it's a very interest lesson

[@tor9togethers]

Really great episode from one of the ph learn cars lover. Waiting for a episode like this for a long time. Thanks for sharing your very good technique and your logic. I hope one day you will make an episode like how to place a car on some any location and make it looks real. Love to see that kind of manipulation. Again, Thanks for a great tutorial.

[@rocketscienc]

cool tutorial. enjoyed the last part of your videos everytime XD

[@ShineLine3]

Super! Tnx.

[@ondernizam1559]

great...

[@MoralRichMedia]

Awesome video...thanks for the tip :)

[@mansoorelahi9997]

Nice sir excellent lesson

[@carlosgrupoasas]

Mto Legal.....!!!!!!!

[@RandmVision]

Awesome

[@Sloschine]

Cool video love it

[@yurachernysh9596]

Hey, Aaron! Your tutorials are so great. Looks like it's really more comfortable to work with a sensor panel. I was wondering which one do you use?

[@muhammadadnansheikh6915]

good work

[@akashadearg-due1435]

Excellent