Photoshop: Create shadows - how it works
Related Videos: Create Highly Realistic Shadows by Detaching Drop Shadow in Photoshop (May 2024).
In this practical tip we explain how you can create shadows with "Photoshop".
Create shadows in Photoshop
Shadows in particular are existential tools in photo editing to give a certain surface a certain depth and to transform it into an apparently three-dimensional space. Use the following steps to create shadows in Photoshop.
- Start Photoshop and open your image file.
- After you have successfully imported your image, you have to cut out your desired object for a shadow. To do this, use the "Quick Selection Tool" on the left-hand side of the vertical toolbar and at the same time, while holding down the Shift key, carefully select the entire motif.
- For a more detailed selection, change the brush size. If necessary, you can use the "Alt" key to exclude individual areas from your selection.
- Right-click on your picture object and go to the "Layer by copying" function as soon as you have completed the selection. The selected motif is separated on its own level. Give this layer an appropriate label and then duplicate it.
- Then go to the "Levels" option in the menu bar under "Image", "Corrections" and darken your copy of the object. To do this, simply move the white slider to the left of "Tonal range" and confirm your setting.
- Next, under "Edit", "Transform", click on the "Distort" editing function. Your free motif will be framed.
- You can now carefully place your shadow on the floor using the dots at the corners. This process requires some sensitivity and practice. With "Enter" you fix your shadow.
- Finally, for a true-to-life silhouette, lower the opacity to about 30 and move the shadow layer under the first layer copy in the layer catalog.
- Tip: Select the shadow layer and the first layer copy and press the Ctrl + E keys to reduce both layers to one. This makes it easier for you to move your subject including the shadow.
In another photo editing tip, we explain how you can create water drops in Photoshop.
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Darken your duplicated layer (see step 4).
Distort your shadow (see step 5).
