Create a Gold Statue From a Photo in Photoshop

In this video, you’re going to learn an easy step-by-step process to create a gold statue from a photo in Photoshop!

The process is simple: All you need is a photo with a lot of contrast and the Apply Image command in Photoshop.

Then, you can use the Camera Raw filter to smooth out the image and get even better results!

Tutorial Image

• Runner photo

Remove the Background with Quick Actions

Duplicate the Background layer by pressing Ctrl J (Windows) or Command J (macOS) to save a copy of it since this process will be destructive, meaning we cannot revert back to the original once we start applying the effects, filters, and adjustments.

Rename the duplicate layer as “Chrome.”

Disable the original Background layer so you can focus on working on the Chrome layer.

Then, choose Window > Properties to make sure you have the Properties panel on your workspace.

Under Quick Actions, click the Remove Background button to let Adobe Sensei, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) analyze the entire image to determine the main subject, select it, and apply a layer mask and instantly removing the background. 

Refine the Layer Mask

The resulting layer mask isn’t always perfect. Zooming into the hand area of the subject, you can still see the remaining parts of the background. However, you can easily remove this using the Brush tool and setting black(#000000) as the Foreground color.

Select the Layer Mask thumbnail and start painting on the spaces between the subject’s fingers to hide these areas with the existing layer mask.

Smooth Details with The Camera Raw Filter

Select the Layer thumbnail and choose Image > Adjustments  > Desaturate. By desaturating the image, it removes the color from the image and leaving it in greyscale.

By zooming in, you can see a lot of fine details such as body hair and the mesh pattern of the shirt which can obstruct the chrome look you are aiming for. 

Choose Filter > Camera Raw Filter.

On the Basic tab, reduce the texture by bringing the slider all the way down to smoothen the textures of the image. 

Click on the Toggle icon to see the original settings and what the image looks like after you apply the adjustments. 

Then, go to the Detail tab and increase the Luminance slider to the maximum to give it a smooth, oil-painting look.

The Luminance Detail controls the noise threshold and is useful for noisy photos. Reduce the value by sliding it to the left to smoothen it further and remove the details.

Reduce the Luminance Contrast to the minimum to produce smoother results.

Use the Apply Image command to create the Chrome Effect

Choose Image > Apply Image.

On the Apply Image window, set the Layer as Merged, and also set the Channel as RGB.

Set the Blending mode as Difference to turn your subject into a black silhouette.

Then, check the box for Invert to produce a chrome-like effect on the subject.

Press OK to apply the changes. 

Now to further enhance the effect, repeat the process once again.

Choose Image > Apply Image. 

On the Apply Image window, Photoshop remembers the last setting so all you have to do now is to press OK to apply the changes.

If there’s an area of the image than needs further enhancement, use the Lasso tool to select the following area and you can repeat the process, but this time, it will apply only to the selected area. 

Then, press OK to apply the changes.

Add a Solid Background Color

To have a better view of the image, create a solid fill layer. 

Go to the bottom of the Layers panel and click on the New Adjustment Layer icon and select Solid Color.

On the Color Picker window, select a dark grey color and press OK to exit the window.

Colorize the Hue Saturation Adjustment

Select the Chrome layer.

Click on the New Adjustment Layer icon and select Hue/Saturation.

On your Properties panel, click on the Clip Layer Mask icon to clip the adjustment layer to the Chrome layer below it. By doing so, any adjustments applied to the layer will only affect the Chrome layer and nothing else.

Check the box for Colorize to apply color to the Hue/Saturation layer.

With the Hue slider, you can slide the pointer to the yellow-orange area to set the color like gold.

Increase the Saturation slider to further bring out the rich gold effect.

Fine-Tune with Camera Raw   

To further smoothen the image, select the Chrome layer, and choose Filter > Camera Raw Filter.

Zoom into the image to see the effects closely.

On the Basic tab, reduce the Texture slider.

On the Detail tab, increase the Luminance to increase the noise reduction and remove the remaining details of the body hair, facial hair, and the mesh pattern of the shirt.

Double-click on the side of the Chrome layer to bring out the Layer Style window.

Check the box for Inner Shadow.

Double-click on the color thumbnail to bring out the Color Picker window and select one of the shadow colors on the chrome layer. 

Select the dark golden color as the color of the inner shadow.

Press OK to exit the Color Picker window. 

On the Inner Shadow Structure, adjust the Size and Opacity sliders to enhance its appearance.

When you’re happy with the adjustments, press OK to exit the Layer Style window. 

And that’s how you can create a gold statue from a photo in Photoshop! If you liked this tutorial, here’s a similar tutorial you might like!