How to Create a Shadow in PS!

October 27, 2008 at 5:59 pm (Photoshop) (Photoshop, shadow)

I learned this rad trick from Ryker’s tutorial (http://www.rykerbeck.com/tutorials/)…just now..as I write…

1. Create a Shadow Layer
- So from my pic here, I select the subject using the Magic Wand tool to get a marquee around the subject
- Hit ctrl-x to cut the background out
- Create a duplicate layer in the layer menu (bottom right) by dragging the current layer to the “duplicate layer” icon (second from the right)

2. Make the Shadow
- Make sure the shadow layer you made above is selected
- Modify you selection by going to Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation
- Move the lightness slider to the far left.  This should turn your image black
- Select the shadow layer in the layer menu and drag it below the image copied above.  This moves the shadow to the background
- Use the move tool and drag the shadow layer out

3. To Soften the Shadow
- Make sure the shadow layer is highlighted
- Select Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur
- Adjust the blur as appropriate, in this pic I used 25
- In the layer menu, turn down Opacity.  In this pic I used 50%

4. Other Shadow Tricks
- To change the angle of the shadow (to show diff angle light could hit the subject), select Show Transform Controls and rotate the shadow layer