Photoshop: Create snow effect - how it works

If you want to create a snow effect in a winter landscape, Photoshop offers you some functions. In this practical tip, we will show you how it works.

Photoshop: Create a snow effect with the noise filter

In the first step, the noise filter is available in Photoshop, with which you insert pixels at random into an image.

1. Open the image you want to edit and create a new layer. To do this, select "Create new layer" in the lower right layer window.
2. Select the "Fill Tool" on the left bar and click on the image. Make sure that the foreground color is highlighted in black.
3. Go to "Filter", then select the submenu "Add Noise ..." via the "Noise Filter". A dialog window opens.
4. Enter 80% in "Strength". Mark "Gaussian normal distribution" and check the box next to "Monochromatic". Then press "OK".

Photoshop: Create snow effect

In the next step you can create the snow effect using the "Gaussian blur" and the tonal value correction.

1. Navigate to "Filters" -> "Blur Filters" -> "Gaussian Blur". A new dialog window opens. Enter 1.0 pixel for the radius. Click on "OK".
2. Press the key combination [Ctrl] + [L] to open the tonal value correction. You can increase or enlarge your snowflakes using the tone value spread. Here it is best if you just try it out and play a little with the values. Once you have created your desired snow effect, click on "OK".
3. At the end, select the "Multiply negative" mixing mode within your layer dialog window. You get a winter landscape with snowflakes.

In the next practical tip, we will show you how you can achieve a leather effect with Photoshop.