How To Create Stunning Photo Mosaic Portraits

29/08/2021 1,793

Hi, this is SaDesign channel, in this tutorial I’m going to show you how to create stunning photo mosaic portraits.

(1).Open the photo of the one you would like to use for this project. First thing first, we will place all photos that we want to use to create the mosaic pattern into a folder. I already did it and named it “Stock”, then go to File > Automate > Contact sheet 2 > since I use the latest version of Photoshop so if you are using the old versions, the context sheet window may a bit different than mine but don’t worry at all.

(2). All the functions are the same, click “choose” button and choose the correct folder where you put all stocks inside and OK. For units, select “Inches”, ensure that “flatten all layers” in unchecked.

(3). I'll be using 10 rows and 10 columns which totals 100 photos and check to “rotate for best fit” box, OK. Photoshop is now automatically positioning each photo from your folder. The reason why we didn’t choose to flatten the layers is that we can fill photos inside their respective layers mask. To fix that, select move tool with V shortcut on the keyboard and choose a specific photo on your mosaic photos, then unlink between the photo and its’ layer mask by remove the chain between them. After that you can resize the photo with CTRL + T without moving the layer mask of it.

(4). Keep doing these steps for each photo till the whole mosaic is done. I’ll skip it to save your time. You may notice that there is the small white border along the photo on the right-hand side. To remove it, use “rectangular marquee tool and select the whole mosaic photos except that white line, then go to Image > Crop. Press CTRL or CMD + D to deselection.

(6). Next step, we will save this mosaic as a pattern by going to Edit > Define Pattern > name it whatever you’d like and click OK.

(7). Moving back to your photo, click to the adjustment layer icon and choose pattern, your mosaic will appear. Choose the percentage of scale depend on your style, I’ll scale it around 60%, you can change the scale later if you want. Change blending mode to “overlay”.

(8). if you'd like to make the pattern more visible in the darkest and lightest areas of your subject. First ensure to convert your subject to a smart object so it can be modified not destructively. Go to Image > Adjustments > Shadows/Highlights. In this window, you can freely modify shadow and highlight. You can also make the shadows highlight filter less intense by reducing the opacity with the icon next to “Shadow/highlights” below layer 0.

(9). To make the subject pop out even more, reduce the opacity of the mosaic pattern to 50%

(10). When you are done, add a little bit of contrast to it with “Curves” layer by decreasing shadows and increasing highlights. That’s it. Have fun!

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