In this tutorial, I will show you the processes involved in creating this beautiful sunset scene, enhanced from an dark blur image. Hope you enjoy it!

To complete this tutorial, you will need a nature image like the one below:

Step 1: Open your image with Photoshop, we will use it as the starting point. Firstly, we should make some basic enhancements. But if you want to reserve the original image before making any changes, you can duplicate your image by pressing Ctrl-J. Next go to Image>Adjustments>Brightness/Contrast and use these settings:

Step 2: We can enhance a bit more with the Curve tool (Image>Adjustments>Curves)

Step 3: The image are greatly improved but the Sun now becomes too bright and we wish to reduce the lighting effect. So create a layer mask on the current layer and use the Gradient Tool with Linear Gradient and Black and White color to make a gradient mask. Notice that the black mask will hide and the white mask will reveal the applied layer. Therefore, the black mask on the top will reduce the brightness of the sky while the white mask will retain the brightness of the water.

Step 4: Now the image looks much better. Next we will make the old road more beautiful but first press Ctrl-Alt-Shift-E to merge all layer into a new layer. Use the Pen tool to wrap the road. The red circles in the image below are the anchor point you need to wrap it.

Step 5: Right click anywhere on the image and select Make selection to turn the path into the selected area.

Step 6: Press Ctrl-J to duplicate the road into a new layer. Go to Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur and use the setting below:

Change the blending mode of this layer to Soft Light, now the road looks more colorful

Step 7: Press Ctrl-Alt-Shift-E to merge all layers again. Now go to Image>Adjustments>Color Balance and use the settings below:

It's all! And below is the final image of this tutorial:

You can enhance the water in the same way of the road or add some effects you like, sky is the only limit for your imagination! Hope you enjoy this tutorial!