One Image Raster Exercise
I created this piece in Photoshop by combining multiple raster images and experimenting heavily with layer blending modes, opacity, masking, and texture overlays. The process began with a dark base layer to establish depth and contrast. I then layered photographic textures and abstract light effects on top, using blending modes such as Screen and Color Dodge to intensify the bright whites and neon blues without completely flattening the darker areas. These settings allowed the luminous elements to glow through the composition while preserving detail underneath.
The vertical lines were developed through stretched textures and manipulated image fragments, layered repeatedly with varying opacities. I used Overlay and Soft Light blending modes to merge these streaks into the background so they would feel embedded rather than pasted onto the image. To create the large circular forms, I introduced solid black shapes and softened their edges slightly with feathered masks, allowing them to feel suspended in space rather than completely flat.
Additional splatter textures and noise layers were added to introduce movement and imperfection. Many of these textures were set to Lighten or Linear Dodge, creating the scattered glowing particles across the image. I also duplicated and mirrored portions of the composition near the bottom to create the reflective effect, lowering the opacity and adding blur so the reflection appeared atmospheric and unstable.