From dark to colorful/PS 7.0

[superbeicons]

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I have this picture of Hurley. It's a bit dark, eh?
  You need a base. The more unique cropping, the more interesting icon.
I came up with this:



step 1:

Go to Image>Adjustments>Levels... Play around with those settings. Those settings are really up to your pic. I setted them like this:

RGB Input Levels: 0 // 1,81 // 147

result:


step 2:

It looks a bit lame now. Duplicate the base and set it to Soft light, opacity 100%. Merge layers.

result:



step 3:

Add a new layer and fill it with #355868 and set the layer to Exclusion 80%.

result:


step 4:

Add one layer again and fill it with #99CCFF and set the layer to Soft light, opacity 100%. Merge layers.

result:


step 5:

Duplicate the base four times (this also depends on you pic). Set the top layer on Color burn, opacity 100%. Set the rest on Soft light, opacity is up to you. Merge layers.

result:


step 6:

Add a layer and fill it with #F48245 and set the layer to Soft light, opacity depends on you, again. Merge layers.

result:


step 7:

If the picture still seems a little darkish, you can do following:

Go to Image>Adjustments>Brightness/Contrast... and play around. I did a very minor change:

Brightness: +5
Contrast: +10

result:


step 8:

For finishing touches add this brush (by me, superbeicons)



and set it to Screen, opacity preferably 100%. You can move it around and place on a suitable spot. (If you don't place it on the side, you should blur the visible line)

But now we're done!