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This lesson demonstrates how to convert a sunny day image into a snow-covered blizzard - the image I am working with (Tynemouth’s Priory Primary School) can be found Here. Unzip the file and open it onto Photoshop’s workspace.
Undo and Navigation Steps
Two ways of undoing steps are from the top menu, Edit then Step Backwards. Alternatively, click a previous snapshot in the History Palette.
Navigate (zoom in and pan) your image using the Navigator Palette,
or the Zoom Tool. 
Activate The Hand Tool by tapping the Spacebar, keeping the Spacebar pressed, pan your image in the usual way. 
1/
Open your image onto Photoshop’s workspace.
2/
Then from the Layers palette, click the following Create a new layer icon - and ensure the new layer, Layer 1 is active.
 
3/
Working on Layer 1, from the top menu, choose Edit then choose Fill. In the subsequent Fill dialogue box, click open Use, then scroll the list and choose 50% Grey, and click OK.
 
Your image and Layers palette will change to the following.
 
4/
From the Layers palette, change the Mode of Layer 1 (the grey layer) to Overlay.
 
5/
It is time to create the snow effect, therefore (ensure the grey layer remains active), then from the top menu, choose Filter then choose Noise then choose Add Noise. In the Add Noise dialogue box, set a snow (noise) effect you like, these are my settings. Ensure Monochromatic is ticked - then click OK.
Note
You may prefer a lower Amount setting.
Your image will then change to the following.
6/
At this stage, if you wish your snow to appear at an angle, from the top menu choose Filter then choose Blur then choose Motion Blur, and experiment with the Angle and Distance settings. I have not applied a Motion Blur.
From the Layers palette, create a new layer, exactly as you did in Chapter Two. Then drag the new layer to the middle of the layers stack.
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Ensure the Foreground Colour is set to White. 
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Then from the toolbar, activate the Brush Tool, and set a medium brush.
Information about the brush tool’s hidden presets palette here!
9/ Important!
From the Layers palette, change the Mode of the middle layer, to Soft Light or Overlay. When applying the Brush Tool, Soft Light provides a light snow effect, and Overlay provides a pronounced (brighter) coverage. Blend Modes Explained.
 
Painting with the Brush Tool, gently emphasise the snow over the roof areas, as shown below.
  
Note
You will find this easier if you zoom into your chosen area.
Tip
Don’t worry about applying too much snow to the same area - changing the mode to Overlay or Soft Light prevents an uneven build-up.
Note
If you are using both Soft Light and Overlay (Modes), create a new layer for each, naming one Soft Light and the other Overlay. This means, by working between the two layers, you can apply two different types of snow coverage to your photograph.
To rename a layer, double-left-click the name, then type in Overlay or Soft Light.
Continue smudging the snow along the rooftops (with the Paint Brush), working with different brush sizes, using Overlay, or Soft Light, layer modes.
Tip: When using the Overlay Mode, omitting small areas adds to the natural snow effect - it depends on the look you are seeking.
When you have completed the roof line, your image will resemble the following.
10/
Now, working on the Soft Light Mode layer, roughly paint over smudge, the school playground.
 
11/
Then activate the Overlay layer. 
12/
And apply the Brush Tool to the playground again. If you wish, omit small areas.
How (and where) you emphasise the snow, and whether you use Soft Light or Overlay (or both, as I have), is entirely up to yourself, the look you are seeking, and the photograph you are manipulating. Therefore, experiment with different photographs and settings, to see what can be created.
Note
For a heavier snowfall, follow Chapters 3 to 5, twice. This applies two separate grey layers, and two Noise (snow) applications.
When you are satisfied with the snow effect, from the top menu, choose Layer then choose Flatten Image, and save your work.
Wendi E M Scarth. Top of Page - Home.
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