Photoshop Tutorial in 6 Easy Steps
If you've spent any time on social media lately, you've probably seen the pixel stretch trend popping up everywhere. This creative effect takes a small strip of pixels from your photo and stretches them across the image, creating colorful streaks and abstract backgrounds that can turn an ordinary photo into something eye-catching and unique.
The good news is that despite looking complicated, the effect is actually very easy to create in Photoshop. With just a few tools and a little experimentation, you can make your own pixel stretch artwork in only a few minutes.
In this tutorial, I'll walk you through the entire process step-by-step using six simple steps so you can follow along and create the effect yourself. Whether you're looking to add something different to your social media posts, create unique digital artwork, or simply try a fun Photoshop technique, this tutorial will get you started.
Let's jump in and create your first pixel stretch image.
How To Do the Pixel Stretch in Photoshop
Step 1: Select Your Subject
Open your image in Photoshop and select the main subject. This technique works best with subjects that stand out clearly from the background, such as people, vehicles, buildings, animals, or other recognizable objects.
Photoshop's Select Subject tool often does a great job automatically, but you can refine the selection if needed.
Step 2: Isolate the Subject on a New Layer
With your subject selected, copy and paste it onto a new layer. This creates a separate version of the subject that will sit on top of the final effect and helps keep the original image intact.
A simple copy and paste is all that's required.
Step 3: Select a Single Row or Column of Pixels
Now we'll create the pixels that will be stretched.
To access this tool, go to Window → Workspace → Essentials. Then select either the Single Row Marquee Tool or Single Column Marquee Tool from the Marquee Tool options (near top of your toolbar on the left).
Place the selection across your isolated subject where you'd like the stretch effect to originate. It works best on the widest and most colorful area of your subject.
Step 4: Copy the Selected Pixels to a New Layer
With the row or column selected, simply copy and paste those pixels onto another new layer.
At first, this layer will appear as only a thin line of color, but those few pixels are what will create the entire effect in the next step.
Step 5: Stretch the Pixels
Hold Shift while using Free Transform (Ctrl+T), stretch the pixel layer across the image until it fills the desired area (typically all the way off the edge).
Experiment with both horizontal and vertical stretching to create different looks (depending on if you used the row or column marquee tool). If you'd like more contrast, this is also a good time to adjust the brightness or color of the stretched layer.
Place this stretched layer between the original image and your isolated subject layer.
Step 6: Add Motion with Warp
The effect works well as straight lines, but adding curves can make it feel much more dynamic.
First, right-click the stretched layer and choose Convert to Smart Object. Then go to Edit → Transform → Warp and begin shaping the stretched pixels into waves, curves, or flowing patterns.
There is no right or wrong way to warp the image, so experiment until you find a look you like.
Examples of Pixel Stretch
That's really all there is to it. While the process itself is simple, the final result can vary dramatically depending on where you place your pixel selection, how far you stretch it, and how much warping you apply. Below are a few examples using different images and settings to show just how versatile this effect can be.
Seven Magic Mountain Pixel Stretch
Sunglasses at Jasper Pyramid Lake Pixel Stretch
Las Vegas Welcome Sign Pixel Stretch
Abandoned Lake Dolores Waterpark Pixel Stretch
Red Rock Abandoned Car Pixel Stretch
Gilcrease Orchard Sunflower Pixel Stretch
Owens Valley Radio Observatory Pixel Stretch
Bird at Floyd Lamb Park Pixel Stretch
Science Central, Indiana Pixel Stretch
Las Vegas Skyline Pixel Stretch
