Pixel Stretch Effect | Photoshop Tutorial

The pixel stretch effect in Photoshop is an intriguing and creative technique that can be used to add a unique visual impact to your images. By manipulating individual pixels within an image, you can stretch and distort specific areas, creating a captivating and surreal effect. In this Photoshop tutorial, we will explore the process of applying the pixel stretch effect and how it can enhance your digital artwork or photographs.

Photoshop is a powerful tool that offers a wide range of features and filters to manipulate and enhance images. The pixel stretch effect is achieved by selectively stretching pixels in specific areas, resulting in a distinctive and eye-catching visual distortion. It allows you to create a sense of movement, abstraction, or surrealism in your images, transforming them into intriguing and dynamic compositions.

In addition to the pixel stretch effect, you can further enhance your image by combining it with other Photoshop techniques and tools. Experiment with adjusting the colors, contrast, and saturation using adjustment layers. This step allows you to create a harmonious and balanced composition, ensuring that the pixel stretch effect seamlessly integrates with the overall image.

The pixel stretch effect can be particularly effective when applied to certain types of images. It works well with abstract or surreal compositions, portraits, landscapes, and even graphic design projects. By incorporating the pixel stretch effect into your work, you can add a unique and visually captivating element that sets your artwork apart.

Today’s Photoshop tutorial will teach you two different ways of creating the Pixel Stretch Effect. We will also create a Circular Pixel Stretch Effect in this Photoshop Tutorial. It is one of the fun photo effects to create in Photoshop.

For creating Pixel Stretch Effect and Circular Pixel Stretch Effect, select the images that can match these effects. We can not select any random image to create this effect.

Pixel Stretch Effect in Photoshop

Follow the below steps to create this Pixel Stretch Effect in Photoshop:

Step 1

Open an image in Photoshop as a new document. With the help of the Quick Selection Tool, select the main subject from the image.

Tip: By clicking on Select and Mask in the Options Bar, you can refine the selection and check the preview.

Step 2

Now press Ctrl + J to create a copy of the selection in a new layer. Then turn off the Background Layer.

Step 3

Now select the Crop Tool and increase the size of the background.

Now with the help of the Move Tool, you can move the subject.

Move the subject with the help of the Move Tool

Step 4

Now we will fill color in the background. Click on Create New Fill or Adjustment Layer icon in the Layers Panel. Then select Gradient from the list of options.

Select Create New Fill or Adjustment Layer

A Gradient Fill dialogue box will appear in the document area. In that dialogue box, click on the Gradient Swatch to open Gradient Editor. Now you can edit and create a new gradient.

After creating the Gradient Fill, reorder the layers by placing the Gradient Fill layer below the Layer 1(the subject layer)

Step 5

To create the Pixel Stretch Effect, we will select some pixels from the subject. We will use the Rectangular Marquee Tool for the selection. Make sure that the subject layer (Layer 1) is selected in the Layers Panel. After that, select the Rectangular Marquee Tool and then select some area from the subject.

Press Ctrl + J to create a new copied layer of the selection (Layer 2) and then press Ctrl + T to transform the selection. After pressing Ctrl + T, drag the selection to stretch it. (See the below images)

Step 6

This step is completely optional. If you want you can skip this step. But, if you want to add more color pixels to your effect then do follow it.

Again select the subject layer (Layer 1) and then select the Rectangular Marquee Tool. Now I will select some more parts from the subject to add more color pixels to the effect.

Press Ctrl + J to create a new copied layer (Layer 3) of the selection and then press Ctrl + T to transform the selection. Stretch the selection as done in Step 5.

Bring both the stretched layers close to each other with the help of the Move Tool.

Select both the top layers (Layer 2 and Layer 3) in the Layers Panel and then press Ctrl + E to merge the layers. Layer 3 will get merged into Layer 2, and you will see only one layer with stretched pixels.

Step 7

Reorder the layers by placing the subject layer (Layer 1) above the stretched pixel layer (Layer 2).

Step 8

Select Layer 2 in the Layers Panel and press Ctrl + T to transform the layer. Adjust the height of the stretched pixels as per the height of the subject. (See the below image)

Step 9

Now we will wrap the stretched pixels to create a nice Pixel Stretch Effect in Photoshop.

Let the Layer 2 be selected and click on Edit in the Menu Bar. Place the cursor on Transform and then select Wrap.

Now move the anchor points of the selection to create an effect.

Step 10

Now click on the Layer Mask icon to create a Layer Mask layer for Layer 2. Then select the Brush Tool and Black as the Foreground Color. With the help of the Layer Mask and Brush Tool, we will hide the extra part of the stretched pixels. Move the cursor on the part which you want to hide.

So, this is how you can create the Pixel Stretch Effect in Photoshop. To make the effect visually more attractive, you can add some shadow and glow effects.

Circular Pixel Stretch Effect in Photoshop

After learning the Pixel Stretch Effect in Photoshop, learn to create Circular Pixel Stretch Effect in Photoshop.

The steps of creating the Circular Pixel Stretch Effect are similar to the process of creating the Pixel Stretch Effect, till selecting and stretching the color pixels of the subject. Therefore, I will explain the similar steps in brief.