Create Architecture with Pixel Stretching

Preparations:

In this tutorial, we will need an image that you wish to create the stretch pixel effect with.

I’m using a photo of Singapore skyscraper taken by archlover. Click here to view the original image.

All rights of these resources belong to their respective owners.

Step 1 – Setting Up Background:

Create a document with size 750×550 pixels.

Fill the background with #000000.

Step 2 – Create Reference Layer:

Open up the photo and drag it into the document. Name this layer as Reference.

Set the opacity of this image layer to 40%.

This layer is to be used as a reference when we are doing the following steps.

Step 3a – Stretch Vertically:

Select the Reference layer. Zoom in the image so it is easier to work with.

Using the Rectangular Marquee tool, make selection with 1 pixel height as shown in the diagram. Select only the part where you wish to stretch the colors.

Press Ctrl+C.

Step 3b – Stretch Vertically:

Hide the Reference layer by clicking on the Eye icon.

Press Ctrl+V. This will create a new layer with the row of pixels you have selected in Step 3a.

Go to Edit > Free Transform. Stretch the pixels downwards.

Step 3c – Stretch Vertically:

You may also select some smaller areas and stretch them further so there are more variations in the stretched items.

Step 4a – Stretch Horizontally:

Unhide the Reference layer by clicking on the Eye icon again.

Similar to Step 3a, select a column with 1 pixel width using the Rectangular Marquee tool.

Press Ctrl+C.

Step 4b – Stretch Horizontally:

Hide the Reference layer.

Press Ctrl+V.

Go to Edit > Free Transform. Stretch the pixels horizontally.

Step 4c – Stretch Horizontally:

Select part of the stretched pixels and go to Edit > Free Transform again.

This time we create some perspective to it. Go to Edit > Transform > Skew.

Move your cursor over the border of the Transform grid till you see a double-sided arrow. Left-click and drag your cursor downwards.

Step 5a – Create Architecture:

Zoom out to have an overview of the buildings you created so far.

Step 5b – Create Architecture:

With the same methods stated in Step 3 and 4, create the rest of the buildings as shown in the diagram.

Step 5c – Create Architecture:

You may adjust the opacity (around 30-60%) and overlap some of the buildings to create a better effect.

Step 6 – Cropping Objects:

Let us mix some cropped objects to the foreground.

Duplicate the original photo. Select the duplicated layer and create a Layer Mask on it.

Using Soft Brush tool with color #000000, paint the areas that you wish to hide on the Layer Mask. You may touch up on the mask by painting with white and black colors.

Step 7 – Adding Halftone Effects:

Download halftone graphics at Vecteezy here. Open up the file in Illustrator. Select one of the halftone effects and press Ctrl+C.

Back to Photoshop and press Ctrl+V. Select Paste as Smart Object. Resize the graphic to your desired size.

Right-click on the layer and choose Blending Options. Activate Color Overlay and choose the color you wish to replace with.

Optional:

I added texts and some more halftone effects to the background.

This is a very simple tutorial that I hope will be useful to everyone reading it.

Click here to view the final image.