1. Choose Your Panorama:
* Ideal Image: Long, wide panorama with a relatively clear horizon. A 360-degree panorama works best, but a wide, relatively flat scene can also work. Try landscapes, cityscapes, or even outdoor scenes.
* Resolution: Higher resolution is better for detail.
* File Format: JPEG is fine for quick edits, but TIFF is preferable if you plan on doing further non-destructive editing.
2. Prepare Your Image:
* Open in Photoshop: Open your panorama in Photoshop.
* Image Size (Important!): This is the key to a good little planet.
* Equalize Dimensions: The height of your image should be the *same* as its width. If it isn't, crop the longer dimension to make it square. You can use the Crop tool (C) and set the ratio to 1:1. Or, go to Image > Image Size, and make sure the "Constrain Proportions" box is unchecked. Then enter the *smaller* of the two current dimensions into both the Width and Height fields.
* Example: If your original image is 6000 pixels wide and 2000 pixels tall, you need to crop or resize it to be 2000 x 2000 pixels.
* Duplicate Layer (Optional, but Recommended): Ctrl+J (Cmd+J on Mac) to duplicate the background layer. This leaves your original intact.
3. Rotate 180 Degrees:
* Image > Image Rotation > 180°
* This flips the image upside down. The horizon line is now at the top.
4. Apply Polar Coordinates:
* Filter > Distort > Polar Coordinates
* Select "Rectangular to Polar" and click OK.
5. Cleanup and Adjustments:
* Seam: You'll likely have a seam where the left and right edges of the original panorama meet. Here are some ways to address it:
* Clone Stamp Tool (S): Use the Clone Stamp tool to carefully blend the seam together. Sample areas from either side of the seam and paint to smooth it out.
* Healing Brush Tool (J): The Healing Brush is another good option for seamless blending.
* Content-Aware Fill: Select the seam area and try Edit > Fill > Content-Aware Fill. This can work well in some cases.
* Horizon/Sky: The original bottom of your panorama now forms the "sky" of your little planet. Consider these adjustments:
* Levels or Curves: Adjust the levels or curves (Image > Adjustments > Levels/Curves) to enhance the contrast and color.
* Color Balance: Fine-tune the color balance (Image > Adjustments > Color Balance).
* Dodging/Burning: Use the Dodge tool (O) to lighten areas and the Burn tool (O) to darken areas.
* Blur: A slight Gaussian Blur (Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur) on the "sky" area can sometimes help.
* Sharpening (Optional): If necessary, apply a subtle sharpening filter (Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask or Smart Sharpen) to enhance detail. Be careful not to over-sharpen.
6. Optional Enhancements:
* Add a Sky (If needed): If your original panorama didn't have much sky, you can add a new sky layer behind your little planet layer. Use a stock image or create a gradient fill.
* Color Grading: Experiment with color grading techniques to give your little planet a specific mood. Use adjustment layers like Color Lookup, Photo Filter, or Selective Color.
* Add a Subject (Optional): You can add a person, animal, or object to the scene to make it more interesting. Use selection tools to isolate the subject, then carefully place it into the little planet scene. Pay attention to scale and perspective.
* Perspective Correction: The perspective might look slightly off. Use Edit > Transform > Distort or Perspective to adjust the overall shape of the little planet.
Tips for Success:
* Experiment! Try different panoramas and settings to see what works best.
* Start with a Good Panorama: The quality of your little planet depends on the quality of your original panorama.
* Pay Attention to Detail: Take your time cleaning up the seam and making adjustments.
* Use Adjustment Layers: Use adjustment layers for non-destructive editing, so you can always go back and make changes.
* Consider the Story: Think about what kind of story you want to tell with your little planet. This will help guide your editing choices.
* Horizon Line Position: How high the horizon line is in your initial panorama greatly affects the resulting planet. A horizon halfway up will make a sphere. A horizon near the top or bottom will change the perspective dramatically.
Example Workflow Summary:
1. Open panorama.
2. Crop to square. (e.g., 2000x2000 pixels)
3. Duplicate the background layer.
4. Rotate 180 degrees.
5. Filter > Distort > Polar Coordinates (Rectangular to Polar).
6. Clean up the seam with Clone Stamp, Healing Brush, or Content-Aware Fill.
7. Adjust levels, colors, and sharpness as needed.
8. Add optional elements (sky, subjects).
By following these steps, you can quickly and easily create eye-catching little planet images in Photoshop. Good luck and have fun!