How to use PhotoVim

Dreamy Portrait Poster: Contrast, Color Grading and Dimensional Text

Level · Intermediate Updated 2026-09-28

Transform a muted portrait with S-curve contrast and color balance, selective background blur, painted light, gradient type, bevel, Echo depth and perspective. Follow a real editing recording with settings, shortcuts and practice files.

Watch on YouTube

English editor and subtitles · 125 seconds

Pause at each step and follow the shortcuts on screen. The practice files contain separate source layers; the video is a recorded UI demonstration.

Watch the vertical Shorts tutorial English subtitles (SRT)

Steps

Tap a step picture to see it full size

  1. Create the document and place the photo

    Press Ctrl+Alt+N (or File > New…). Type 1024 in Width and 1536 in Height, then click Create. Choose File > Place Embedded… and pick ORIGINAL.png. Drag inside the box to move it and drag a corner handle to resize it. Press Enter (or double-click the image) to finish. Press Ctrl+J to keep the original.

    Where to click — Create the document and place the photo
    Create the document and place the photo — Dreamy Portrait Poster: Contrast, Color Grading and Dimensional Text

  2. Add contrast with an S curve

    Press Ctrl+M for Curves. Drag the lower part of the line down (64 to 43) and the upper part up (192 to 218). Turn Preview off and on to compare, then click OK.

    Where to click — Add contrast with an S curve
    Where to click — Add contrast with an S curve
    Add contrast with an S curve — Dreamy Portrait Poster: Contrast, Color Grading and Dimensional Text

  3. Grade the colors

    Press Ctrl+B for Color Balance. With Midtones selected type -12, -14 and +24, then click OK.

    Where to click — Grade the colors
    Grade the colors — Dreamy Portrait Poster: Contrast, Color Grading and Dimensional Text

  4. Blur the background around her

    Choose Filter > Blur Gallery > Iris Blur. Set the blur to 14 px and drag the ellipse edge so her face and hand stay sharp. Press Enter.

    Where to click — Blur the background around her
    Blur the background around her — Dreamy Portrait Poster: Contrast, Color Grading and Dimensional Text

  5. Paint soft light

    Click the Create a new layer button (the square with a plus sign) at the bottom of the Layers panel. Press B, set Hardness to 0% and paint soft white light in the background corners. Set the layer blend mode to Screen and Opacity to 35%.

    Where to click — Paint soft light
    Where to click — Paint soft light
    Paint soft light — Dreamy Portrait Poster: Contrast, Color Grading and Dimensional Text

  6. Type the title with 3D styles

    Press D, then X so white is the foreground color. Press T for the Type tool, click on the canvas and type DREAM FORWARD. Press Ctrl+Enter to finish. Click the fx button at the bottom of the Layers panel and add Bevel & Emboss (2 px, 110%), a Silver Gradient Overlay, a 12 px Outer Glow at 18% and 3 Echo layers.

    Type the title with 3D styles — Dreamy Portrait Poster: Contrast, Color Grading and Dimensional Text

  7. Tilt the title

    Press Ctrl+T, right-click inside the box and choose Perspective. Drag a top corner about 50 px inward and press Enter.

    Tilt the title — Dreamy Portrait Poster: Contrast, Color Grading and Dimensional Text

  8. Save

    Press Ctrl+Alt+S (File > Save a Copy…) and choose PSD to keep an editable layered copy.

    Where to click — Save
    Save — Dreamy Portrait Poster: Contrast, Color Grading and Dimensional Text
Worth knowing

If a browser shortcut takes over, use the matching editor menu command. Keep the source files and practice on a copy.

Try it in the editor

Questions

Do I need Photoshop for this tutorial?

No. Every step is done in PhotoVim in your browser, with nothing to install. Menu names and shortcuts follow Photoshop, so the steps look familiar if you already use it.

Is the title a real 3D object?

No. The depth comes from layer styles — bevel, gradient, glow and echo layers — so the text stays editable.