Astral projection, an enigmatic approach and spiritual practice, refers to intentional out-of-body experiences. The terms like astral trip, soul journey, spiritual journey, and spiritual travel are also used to describe it. The astral body, also known as the body of light, is a delicate body that enables consciousness to get away from the physical body and voyage over the astral plane, a dimension beyond the physical world. Many artists visualize astral projection as a visually exquisite scene, and the idea of portraying this phenomenon in films, games, and various images is also prevalent. Applying astral projection to image modification and creation can lead to a mystical and mesmerizingly ethereal atmosphere. This effect can also be used to highlight the main subject or any other considerable zone within images so that the viewers can be more directed to the primary goal of that specific visual content delivered in the form of images. This blog will proceed with a step-by-step process of creating an astral projection effect for your images to accelerate their ethereal aspect and infuse a sense of otherworldliness.

 

Step 1: Making Separate Layers

 

Import your picture in your picture editing program; you can go for Adobe Photoshop or GIMP for convenience.

 

Be sure that you have partitioned layers for the background and the subject. In case you do not have isolated layers, duplicate the background layer. You need to have one layer for the initial background and another for the astral effect.

 

Utilize selection options like the lasso tool and quick selection tool to carefully outline and specify the subject within the image that you need to adapt for the astral projection effect.

 

After the subject is chosen, duplicate it and paste it onto a new layer. This will permit you to apply effects, particularly to the subject, without influencing the background.

 

Name the layers suitably, like Foundation and  Astral Subject, to keep your work organized and effectively manageable.

 

Make sure that your Astral Subject layer is over the Background layer within the layer panel for appropriate visibility.

 

Keep your file in a format that supports layers to protect your edits and permit further alterations.

 

Step 2: Creating Subject Duplicate

 

 

Tap on the layer containing the subject you need to modify for the astral effect. Be sure it’s the dynamic layer in your layers area.

 

Click on the subject layer and choose the Duplicate Layer option to get a duplicate. That duplicated layer will be utilized to apply the astral projection effects.

 

Retitle the duplicated layer to something expressive, such as Astral Projection, to differentiate it from the main layer.

 

Briefly hide the initial subject layer by clicking the eye icon following to it within the layers panel to focus more on modifying the copied layer without obstructions.

 

Utilize selection features such as a quick selection tool or pen tool to refine the edges of the duplicated subject in case required so that it is well-evident for applying effects.

 

Ensure the astral projection layer is obvious and chosen for the successive steps when applying the astral effects.

 

Step 3: Modifying The Opacity

 

 

Tap on the duplicated subject layer or Astral Projection layer within the layers area to activate it.

 

Get to the opacity slider within the layers panel around the top of the panel.

 

Move the opacity slider to decrease the opacity of the Astral Projection layer. Begin with a lower opacity ranging 30-50% to form a semi-transparent effect that imitates the supernatural quality of astral projection.

 

Review the picture to see how the modified opacity influences the visibility and integration of the subject with the background. It must give a ghostly or supernatural impression.

 

Modify the opacity further if essential, depending on the required level of transparency and how well the astral subject merges with the background.

 

For more control, you can use a layer mask onto the Astral Projection layer and utilize a soft brush with intense opacity to further refine regions where transparency is required.

 

Step 4: Glow Effects Addition

 

 

Make sure the Astral Projection layer is active within the layers panel.

 

Proceed to the layer styles options by taping on the Astral Projection layer and selecting blending modes, and at that point, choosing Outer Glow.

 

Fix glow settings, beginning with revising the size of the glow to direct how distant it spreads from the subject. Expand the spread to form the glow more articulated and cover more range around the subject. Lastly, set the opacity of the glow to control its vigour.

 

Pick a colour that improves the enchanted quality, such as soft blues, purples, or whites, to form a nostalgic or otherworldly appearance.

 

Scan the image to see how the glow enhances the astral subject. Check that it mixes sufficiently with the background and improves the ghostly development.

 

Revise the size, spread, opacity, and colour as required to tune the glow effect.

 

Save your work to hold the glow effect and guarantee you do not abandon your edits.

 

Step 5: Using Blurring Strategies

 

 

Check that the Astral Projection layer is in action within the layers panel.

 

Pick the blur tool from the toolbar, or go for Filter > Blur and select a particular blur style.

 

To utilize Gaussian Blur, go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Revise the radius to hold the amount of blur. A more increased radius makes a more noticeable blur, giving a sense of action or detachment.

 

Observe the blur effect on the image. Begin with a light blur and increase the level as required to improve the otherworldly formation.

 

To get an energetic effect, you can moreover utilize Motion Blur from the blur alternatives. This may mimic the feeling of the subject moving through or out of the physical domain.

 

In case the blur effect requires betterment, include a layer mask to the Astral Projection layer. Utilize a delicate brush to apply blur specifically and tune the edges for a smoother shift.

 

Save your work to uphold the blur alterations and not lose your efforts.

 

Step 6: Modifying The Colors

 

 

Be beyond any doubt that the Astral Projection layer is chosen within the layers panel.

 

Move to the colour adjustment alternatives following Image, then Adjustments > Hue/Saturation or Color Balance.

 

Alter the hue to present mystical colours. If you opt to get an ethereal effect, consider cooler styles such as blues, purples, or greens.

 

Decrease the saturation to form a more repressed, ghostly appearance. More down saturation levels can help accomplish a pale, ghostly setting.

 

Alter brightness and contrast to guarantee the astral subject accommodates against the foundation while keeping up a powerful feel. Enhance brightness marginally and set contrast to upgrade visibility and unification.

 

Look into including colour filters or gradients for additional developments. You can go for a delicate blue or purple gradient overlay to uplift the enchanted air.

 

Study the image to observe how the colour adjustments influence the overall look. Set the settings as required to attain the specified supernatural effect.

 

Save the composition to protect the colour adjustments and guarantee you do not lose any modifications.

 

Step 7: Using Layer Masking

 

 

Press on the background layer within the layers panel to activate it.

 

In case required, alter the background layer to ensure it fits the astral projection impact well. You can work on brightness and contrast or apply a blur effect.

 

Next, play with distinctive blending modes to see how they blend the subject with the backdrop. Blend modes can modify how the layer associates with layers underneath it.

 

Tweak the opacity of the Astral Projection layer further as needed to mix it more consistently with the background.

 

Include a layer mask to the Astral Projection layer to regulate blending. Utilize a delicate brush with low opacity to paint on the mask and make smooth transitions between the astral subject and background.

 

Survey the general image to guarantee the astral projection effect blends actually with the background. Make any extra adjustments to improve fusion.

 

Preserve the final image in a format that supports layers and effects, or export it within the expected format.

 

Conclusion

 

In a nutshell, the astral projection phenomenon’s lucidity and the hallucinating aspect enable artists to create an imaginary and adorably magical climate in the photographs. Astral projection, a philosophical experience that eludes scientific measurement, holds a wealth of artistic potential. Whether a person’s spirit can leave the body during sleep or meditation is a question that flares the imagination. For a mass of artists and image editors, this mysterious phenomenon serves as an endless source of inspiration, fueling the creation of virtual art that defies reality and boosts the enigma within images, enlightening creativity and expanding the perimeters of art.