Realistic Shadows in Photoshop

Four Ways and Techniques

Just guessing but this could be the most searched tutorial for

Photoshop.

Here are 4 ways of creating shadows in Photoshop that I actually applied in my pictures:

1. Paint shadows with the brush tool

Based on Vanessas YouTube tutorial (@the_life_of_aivax). I am not very good at that technique but she rocks it.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/86ef8b_eeb14ec65a774da685fd9f2d8d37253d/720p/mp4/file.mp4

How-to:

1. Add 3 layers underneath your subject and put them on Multiply.

2. Use a soft brush.

3. Pick the darkest color you find on your background with the color picker. Shadows are never black.

4. Paint on the first layer with ca 2% opacity, on the second layer with ca 4-6%, on the third layer with ca 10% opacity.

5. Use layer masks and a black brush at a low opacity to blur out the painted shadow.

2. Create shadows with Photoshops 3D function

Based on Jesús tutorial on YouTube (@jrfromptc). My new favorite technique.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/86ef8b_d6bbc5c4027648b7a928042622d38079/720p/mp4/file.mp4

How-to:

1. Duplicate your subject (CTRL+J) and click on the copy.

2. Go to "3D" -> "New 3D Extrusion from selected layer".

3. Click on "Current view" and adjust the grid so it matches the horizon of your background.

4. Click on "Infinite Light" and adjust the shadows according to where the light comes from.

5. Adjust Shadow Softness under "Properties".

6. Go back to layer tab, right click on the 3D layer and pick "Rasterize 3D".

7. We just want the shadow, not the whole 3D object. So click Alt+ Layer Mask.

8. Use a white brush and paint over the layer mask so that just the shadow appears.

3. Create shadows by duplicating

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/86ef8b_85d76374c2f94bddbe50618c16027aa3/720p/mp4/file.mp4

How-to:

1. Duplicate the layer with your subject & click on the underlying layer of both.

2. Press STRL+T, right click & press "Flip Vertical".

3. Align the flipped layer to your subject & turn down saturation & lightness with a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer.

4. Convert to Smart Object & add a Gaussian Blur.

5. Add a layer mask & use a soft brush at a low opacity to fade out the shadow where its furthest away from the subject.

6. Eventually press CTRL+T and distort the shadow if necessary.

4. Create shadows with drop shadow

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/86ef8b_8ae13548eb1f4fb6bce1b22fd836d1b5/720p/mp4/file.mp4

How-to:

1. Turn your subject into a Smart Object & double click to come to Layer Styles.

2. Add a drop shadow (play around with Opacity, Distance, Spread & Size). Press OK.

3. Right click on fx & choose "Create Layer".

4. Press STRL+T, right click & press "Flip Vertical".

5. Align the flipped layer to your subject.

6. Convert to Smart Object & add a Gaussian Blur.

7. Add a layer mask & use a soft brush at a low opacity to fade out the shadow where its furthest away from the subject.

8. Eventually press CTRL+T and distort the shadow if necessary.

So tell me! Have you tried to create shadows yourself? How?