This is a fairly straight forward tutorial. To master this effect you really need to gain some exposure to using the pentool. The best way to do this is to just play around with it. Personally, I'm not that good at using the pentool so the methods I use to create this light beam could most likely be done another way (possibly easier) but for those who aren't advanced using the pentool, stick to my way but also explore different tutorials which will teach you how to efficently use this tool.

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Examples of how you can use this tutorial

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FINAL OUTCOME

STEP ONE
Open up a new file. Make it as large as you like. I will use a 400x500 document.
File > New > Adjust Width and Height and click OK

STEP TWO

Firstly, fill in the background. To do this we will need this tool. To find this tool, look at your sidebar and find the gradient tool. Click this tool and hold. It should then bring up the option of the paint bucket; select.

Now fill in the background using the paint tool. To do this, click on the two shades on your side panel.

This will bring up your 'colour picker'. Now pick a nice purple, the colour is completly up to you. Anything around #73019d is a good colour. Keep it on the dark end.

STEP THREE
First off, make a new layer. If you don't see the layer box as shown below go to Windows>Layers.

everything now must be made on this layer. the only thing to be on the background is the purple fill!

Now, select the pentool (or just click "P"). Make sure you have the following settings:
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STEP FOUR
Now start off with making one point on your layer like the the image below.

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STEP FIVE
Now click points in a zigzag downward direction like the image below.

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STEP SIX
Now, in the middle of the first point and second point, click in the middle (on the line). All in one flow, as you click on the line, a point will come up. Drag that point down and then around to the left. Make sure it is all in one movement. Don't make the point and then stop. Make the point, immediately drag down and then drag to the left.
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STEP SEVEN
Repeat step six on every black point in the picture below.

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