Top 10 Photo Manipulation Techniques and Tools

Top 10 Photo Manipulation Techniques and Tools

Photo manipulation has become an integral and increasingly essential part of manipulation photography and creative image editing. In fact, with the right techniques and tools, you can transform ordinary photos into extraordinary works of art. So, this comprehensive guide covers the top 10 essential photo manipulation techniques you need to know, along with the best software tools available.

What is Photo Manipulation?

Photo manipulation refers to editing photos to alter their appearance or create entirely new images through various techniques. Also, these photo manipulation services allow photographers and artists to enhance, transform, and recreate photographs beyond what’s originally captured by the camera.

Also, common pictures of manipulation include removing undesirable elements, changing colors, combining multiple photos, applying visual effects, creating surreal or abstract art, and more. The only limit is your imagination!

Tools for Photo Manipulation

Adobe Photoshop is the industry standard software for image manipulation and graphic design. In addition, other alternative Photoshop image manipulation options include Affinity Photo, Pixelmator Pro, GIMP, and Krita. Each tool has its strengths at different price points.

Key Tools to Master

To manipulation images successfully, you need to master these essential tools:

  1. Selection and Masking Tools
  2. Layers and Layer Masking
  3. Adjustment Layers and Blending Modes
  4. Filter Gallery and Effects
  5. Brushes and Clone Stamp
  6. Content-Aware Fill and Spot Healing

Specifically, understanding these core tools will give you the framework for all types of photo manipulations.

Top 10 Must-Know Photo Manipulation Techniques

Now let’s dive into the top 10 essential photo manipulation techniques every aspiring artist should know.

Technique 1: Selection and Masking

The ability to accurately select areas in an image manipulation service is critical. After all, here are the most useful selection tools and masking techniques:

  1. Lasso Tool
  2. Magic Wand
  3. Quick Selection Tool
  4. Color Range Selection

Advanced Masking Techniques

  1. Layer Masks: Hide/Reveal portions of a layer
  2. Vector Masks: Crisp outlines for graphics
  3. Refine Edge/Select and Mask: Precision selection refinement
Selection and Masking
Selection and Masking

Technique 2: Color Adjustment

Creative photo manipulation and fine-tuning colors make ordinary photos pop. Before this, master these essential color adjustment tools:

  1. Curves: Precise tonal and color adjustments
  2. Levels: Then balances shadow/highlight tones
  3. Hue/Saturation: Color shade and intensity changes
  4. Color Balance: Lastly neutralize or enhance color casts
Color Adjustment
Color Adjustment

Technique 3: Retouching and Enhancement

In picture manipulation, retouching tools smooth blemishes, restore damage, and enhance photos. Key tools include:

  1. Healing Brush: Seamlessly repairs imperfections
  2. Clone Stamp: Then duplicates and overlays image areas
  3. Frequency Separation: Selectively retouch textures
  4. Dodge and Burn: Lastly lightens and darkens targeted areas
Retouching and Enhancement
Retouching and Enhancement

Technique 4: Compositing

Blending multiple image manupulation into a seamless composite raises huge possibilities:

  1. Layer Blending Modes: Blend layers based on color interactions
  2. Layer Masks: Then combine images through selective concealing
  3. Smart Objects: Apply effects non-destructively
  4. Puppet Warp: Finally, reshape image areas with a mesh
Compositing
Compositing

Technique 5: Special Effects and Filters

Digital image manipulation effects and filters add interest and transform photographs creatively. Top techniques:

  1. Lens Flare: Add realistic and dramatic flares
  2. Lighting Effects: Then simulate natural or artificial lighting
  3. Textures: Add paint, grainy, and scaly textures
  4. Artistic Filters: Lastly, stylize photos into paintings, sketches or mosaics
Special Effects and Filters
Special Effects and Filters

Technique 6: 3D and Perspective Manipulation

In photo manipulation art, mimicking 3D spaces or altering perspective builds drama. Useful tools include:

  1. Perspective Warp: Adjust viewpoint or distort perspective
  2. Vanishing Point: Then work on complex perspectives
  3. 3D Tools: Composite 2D images onto 3D models
  4. Content: Finally aware Fill – Fill reshaped areas seamlessly
3D and Perspective Manipulation
3D and Perspective Manipulation

Technique 7: Texture Overlay

Image processing services enhance ambience by overlaying grungy textures. Methods to master:

  1. Blending Modes: Screen, Overlay, Soft Light, Hard Light
  2. Layer Masks: Then blend textures into specific areas
  3. Custom Textures: Finally use your own textures for more realism
Texture Overlay
Texture Overlay

Technique 8: Photo Manipulation in Camera Raw

The Camera Raw filter offers powerful manipulation in photography before opening Photoshop. Key capabilities:

  1. Tone Adjustments: Exposure, Contrast, Whites/Blacks, Temp/Tint
  2. Graduated & Radial Filters: Apply adjustments in gradients
  3. Spot Removal and Local Adjustments: Remove imperfections and fine-tune areas
Photo Manipulation in Camera Raw
Photo Manipulation in Camera Raw

Technique 9: Dreamlike Surreal Manipulations

Surreal photo manipulations have an ethereal, fantastical quality to them. By blending elements from imagination and reality, you can create images from dreams. Useful techniques include:

  1. Seamlessly compositing disparate elements like fire and water using layer masks.
  2. Then applying lighting and texture effects to establish a moody, atmospheric look.
  3. Distorting perspectives using transforms to give a swirling, warped appearance.
  4. Masking subjects over unusual backgrounds in discordant combinations.
  5. Finally, experiment with the unexpected – let your creativity run wild!
Surreal Photo Manipulation
Surreal Photo Manipulation

Technique 10: Vibrant Abstract Overlays

Transform ordinary photos into vibrant works of abstract art using:

  1. Liquid Like blur effects and smudges for a colorful, melted look
  2. Bright, bold texture overlays in transparent modes like Screen or Overlay
  3. Intertwining geometric shapes and kaleidoscopic effects
  4. Thick, defined brush strokes in electrifying colors
Abstract Photo Manipulation
Abstract Photo Manipulation

Workflow Optimization Tips

Boost productivity by organizing files logically, utilizing smart objects and adjustment layers for flexibility, customizing time-saving shortcuts, and automating repetitive tasks. Name layered content in descriptive groups. Also, make edits non-destructively to allow continuous tweaks. In fact, memorize keyboard shortcuts for frequent adjustments. Then, record Actions of multi-step manipulation techniques. Finally, developing smooth workflows empowers you to focus fully on the artistic process.

Ethics in Photo Manipulation

While visual trickery has its place creatively, also practice ethics by giving proper attribution, obtaining licenses, and respecting privacy and copyright. Indeed, disclose the composite images and credit reference photos used. Also, obtain model releases and location permits as professional courtesy. In short, only use others’ protected work fairly under copyright laws. Overall, photo manipulators build community trust through responsible creativity – defy deception and uphold dignity.

Conclusion: Master the Endless Possibilities of Photo Manipulation

The techniques and tools covered in this guide only scratch the surface for digital photo manipulation. As technology and software continues advancing, so do opportunities to alter reality through this amazing artistic medium.

We’ve come a long way since the first darkroom trickery. Also, now everyone with a computer has access to professional-level tools like Photoshop, opening new creative horizons. So, compositing, surreal edits, abstract overlays, 3D manipulations – if you can conceptualize it, you can likely create it.

Yet technical mastery alone does not make great art. In summary, true photo manipulation wizards blend skill with style and principles. They immerse themselves fully in practice while heeding ethical obligations. Also, building your visual library, studying other artists across disciplines, and continually expanding your technical skills are keys for nurturing creativity over the long term.

Overall, most importantly, enjoy the journey! Part scientist, part painter – photo manipulators get to experiment combining both sides of the brain. So be curious in exploring this digital canvas without limits. Specifically, master the endless possibilities by taking that next step today. Your most inspiring image is just one more mouse click away!

How to create natural shadow for product images in Photoshop

How to create natural shadow for product images in Photoshop

Short Brief About Natural Shadow?

Natural shadow is a process where you must remove the background and need to put that in white background. After that, have to form a shadow that looks natural. It’s called natural shadow. In a few product images, the background floor no longer mirrors the backside place for the duration of the photography. The natural shadow gives the photo a natural look. Product/ natural shadow is carried out in this situation. The excellent of 3-D products will increase a lot. As a result, products appeal to customers. Product natural shadow service in Photoshop is one of the most critical image-modifying product display offerings. There are a few products that appear unusual & unattractive in their raw, naked, and wild format.

What is product natural shadow?

Product Natural shadow effects are created via way of means of the usage of the shadow that evidently happens while taking photographs. A shadow is created automatically when a product is directly illuminated through a mild source. Natural shadow effects contribute to the look of realism and professionalism by permitting extra adjustment and creativity within the shadow. In most cases, correct or natural shadow effects enhance photo exceptional and make products much less harsh.

Why do you have to add natural shadow for your product images?

Natural shadow is extra essential than every other kind of shadow as it gives clients the self-assurance to shop online as they could in person. Natural-looking shadows also provide your product photos an extra professional appearance, which is important for e-commerce. Natural shadows also can be a terrificaddition to your product if used correctly. For example, if a product can stand independently without assistance and there aren’t any shadows, your clients can be burdened or discouraged from shopping out of your e-store. Instead, shadows make it seem like a product is being displayed in actual life.

Why do you have to add natural shadow for your product images?

Natural shadow is extra essential than every other kind of shadow as it gives clients the self-assurance to shop online as they could in person. Natural-looking shadows also provide your product photos an extra professional appearance, which is important for e-commerce. Natural shadows also can be a terrific addition to your product if used correctly. For example, if a product can stand independently without assistance and there aren’t any shadows, your clients can be burdened or discouraged from shopping out of your e-store. Instead, shadows make it seem like a product is being displayed in actual life.

which products need a natural shadow effect?

Natural shadows may be accomplished for nearly any product; however, consistency is the maximum essential aspect to keep in mind when shadowing your product images. With the proper light reasserts and product positioning, getting shadows is easier. However, the trouble is that there is a great hazard your product will not get shadows that appear natural and perfect.

Below, I am giving some product names that need the natural shadow effect. Those are:

  1. Shoe Products
  2. Umbrella products
  3. Sunglass and eyewear products
  4. Cosmetics products
  5. Furniture products, and many more.

Natural shadows in product are usually covered in all image shoots. However, a few products, which include jewelry, might not get hold of natural shadows at some point in the photo shoot and, as a substitute, require specific shadows in post-production processing. If you’re now no longer certain about a way to add shadows to your product images, this blog is for you.

Create natural shadow on product images in Photoshop easily

Proper use of shadows can increase your product photos from novice to professional. It allows makes the product appearance extra natural and sensible via way of means of including a feel of form and intensity for your products. The excellent part is it doesn’t take a huge price range or large crew to create expert product photos. You simply want to spend a while on your product images and the post-production process.
I am describing the whole process systematically below.

1st step: You have to open the photoshop :

To get started, open your photo in Photoshop. Make sure that, you are setting out with a photo that has an excessive resolution. Because of a high-resolution photo, give you the best output to create natural shadow on product images in Photoshop.

2nd step: Create Layers

In this step, you have to create layers. Go to ‘Layers’ panel on the right side of Photoshop, the window chooses your ‘Background’ layer and replica it. You can both right-click on the layer and pick out ‘Duplicate Layer’ or press Ctrl + J (For Windows) and Command + J (For Mac) on your keyboard. You will see ‘Background copy’ appear. This makes it such that you could regulate the reproduction layer without annoying about by chance unfavorable or distorting your authentic image.

3rd step: Make a path

If you already finish the previous steps, then you have make a path on this step. Make a path around your product in ‘Background copy’ and eliminate the background. You can see the background has been eliminated by looking carefully at the ‘Layers’ panel; your product ought to have a gray and white checkered background withinside the pinnacle layer. Alternatively, you may disguise the unique background layers.

4th step: Duplicate the create layer 

Here in this step, you have to duplicate the layer. After duplicate the layer, named it as related with your product. As an example, named the layer as ‘Shadow’.

5th step: select the duplicate layer (Shadow)

Now, select the layer you named ‘Shadow’ layer, then hit Ctrl + T or Command + T to pick the transform tool. Hold the Ctrl or Command key, then click on the pinnacle-center manage point and drag the mouse down to place the transform on the right attitude to healthy the incoming light source in your subject.

6th step: Lock all layers

In this step, you have to lock all your layers. In the Layers panel, click on the ‘Lock transparent pixels’ button subsequent to the word ‘Lock.’ This will make sure the following step most effectively impacts the rework you made.

7th step: Generate gradient

It’s time to create a gradient. Select the ‘Gradient’ tool (On keyboard shortcut ‘G’), then use the drop-down menu subsequent to the gradient bar on the pinnacle of the Photoshop window to pick the 1/3 choice down for a black-white gradient. Select ‘Linear Gradient’ nicely within the side of the menu-bar icons to the right.

8th step: Embed the gradient

To embed the gradient, certainly click on the bottom of the shadow closest to your object, then drag toward the ways given up the shadow. This ought to convert your transformed photo right into a clean gradient. However, it nevertheless won’t appear natural. Let’s smooth it up now.

9th step: Unlock all your layers

Here in this step, you have to unlock all the layers you locked in the step of 6th.

10th step: Apply blend mode

On the right side above this button, use the drop-down menu to choose ‘Multiply’ because the blend mode.

11th step: Go to the filter option

Click ‘Filter’ within the Photoshop essential menu, then select ‘Blur’ and then ‘Gaussian Blur’. Select a pixel radius for the blur. You can test right here because this impact will appear exclusive depending on the resolution of your photo document and its particular shape.

12th step: Transformation

Now you could do a little greater transforming. Enable the ‘Free Transform’ tool once more and transform your shadow. Try to observe the light supply and circulate the shadow accordingly. This would possibly take a few trial and error. Also, you could use the ‘Opacity’ feature in the ‘Layers’ panel to regulate the opacity level of the shadow. This will make the shadow greater subtle.

13th step: Closing touches

For a few last touches, take your eraser tool, set its opacity to 20-25%, and go with the drift to 60%. Right-click on the canvas and set the scale and hardness of your brush. The length of the brush will range at the picture resolution. Set Hardness to 0. Swiftly brush around your shadow layer to melt any hard shadow you’ve probably made. Just mess around till you discover something that you’re feeling seems best.

 

Last Words

Create Natural shadow on product images in photoshop is not so hard to do. If you follow the give tutorial step by step then you will get the excellent result as you want. Alternatively, if you need a professional then, Silopath is here for you.

How to Create Natural Shadow in Photoshop

How to Create Natural Shadow in Photoshop

Natural Shadows could sound like a minor factor to someone simply beginning his online store. However, most entrepreneurs forget that one of the secrets behind a booming business is specializing in every detail. Consistent with multiple statistics, shadow Photoshop can enormously impact your online business. Outstanding online markets have used this distinctive feature on their product pictures for a long time. Also, the consultants recommend that newbies of the trade use this in their startups.

There are four basic kinds of Photoshop shadows that may be adscititious pictures –

  • Natural Shadow
  • Photoshop Drop Shadow
  • Reflection Shadow
  • Cast Shadow

Today, we are going to discuss natural shadow in Photoshop in detail. You will get clear instructions on how to create natural shadow in Photoshop. Also, you may get tutorials on the way to add these effects to your images from this article.

What is natural shadow?

Natural shadow is mainly based on the real shadow, which occurs automatically by the flash of light. Natural Shadow is a way in which the background receives eliminated. Also, in preference to that, the photo is positioned on a white background and then shaped in a shadow that looks pretty natural.
We get natural shadow because of the natural mirrored image of light. There isn’t any synthetic contact in it. Keeping the actual shadow to your product photo is continually wise. Natural shadow is going with any product, can be glass bottles, fashions, and some other products.

drop-shadow-photoshop

How do you create a natural shadow in Photoshop?

In this tutorial, you’ll learn an extraordinary easy manner to create highly-practical natural shadows in Photoshop! Before adding shadow you have to do hand photoshop clipping path to remove background of image but need to keep the original shadow. By having natural shadows on your composite, your concern will shape higher in the scene, making the complete photograph extra cohesive. When it involves creating natural-looking shadows, three of the maximum complicated matters to get proper are color, perspective, and shape.

Let’s start our tutorial that how to create natural shadow in Photoshop

In this tutorial, you’ll learn an extraordinary easy manner to create highly-practical natural shadows in Photoshop! Before adding shadow you have to do hand photoshop clipping path to remove background of image but need to keep the original shadow. By having natural shadows on your composite, your concern will shape higher in the scene, making the complete photograph extra cohesive. When it involves creating natural-looking shadows, three of the maximum complicated matters to get proper are color, perspective, and shape.

Step : 1 Open an image

First of all, you have to open your file in Photoshop which you want to make natural shadow. Go to the File option on the left side of Photoshop CS6 and click on this. You can see the open section there. Click on this and select the photo as your wish. You can see your photo inside the Photoshop working space if the selection is over.

open-your-clothes-image-In-photoshop

Step : 2  Select the pen tool

You have to select the pen tool for making natural shadow in your selected file in this stage. Pen tool Photoshop is a mandatory tool for making natural shadow in a photo. Go to the toolbar and select the pen tool from there. For shortcuts, press P to get this tool from Photoshop. There has another Photoshop tool, too, like the pen tool. But the Pen tool makes it more perfect than others.

select-pen-tool-from-the-tool-panel

Step : 3 Make a clipping path outside the image

You have to make a clipping path outside the image with a pen tool. Using a pen tool Photoshop helps you to get the exact area you want to create shadow. Make Photoshop path in the whole image as a file structure.

make-a-clipping-path-outside-the-image

Step : 4 Use feather

Here you have to use the feather. Go to the select option, and in the dropdown menu, you can get modify option. Click change and select feather. You can make the clipping path smooth by using feather. Press SHIFT+F6 to get it quickly. Feather helps you to remove the hardness of the path and make it softer.

use-feather

Step : 5 Copy the layer

Copy the layer you worked on already. Press CTRL+J to copy the transparent layer. All steps are mandatory for creating natural shadow Photoshop. So do that with care.

copy-the-layer

Step : 6 Create white background

Create white background in the middle of the background layer and copy the layer. Press CTRL+SHIFT+N to get this white background without any hassle. Be careful that your white background must be in the middle of those layers. Otherwise, you cannot compare the layers you created before.

create-white-background

Step : 7 Selection the natural shadow

In this stage, you have to select the shadow from the channel or do a clipping path. Have to choose the natural shadow very carefully otherwise, the shadow will look like a fake one. To make the path more natural, use feather to make that smooth.

Selection-the-natural-shadow

Step: 8 Copy up the shadow in new layer

Here, you have to copy up the shadow in a new layer as we did above. Press CTRL+J to do that in shortcuts. You have to work on this layer from now.

copy-up-the-shadow-in-new-layer

Step: 9 Desaturase shadow color

You can find hue and saturation in the middle of the layer palette. By using this, you have to desaturase shadow color. Because the color of the shadow will not be so much deep. Otherwise, it will look unnatural.

desaturase-shadow-color

Step: 10 Use the Gaussian blur

If you think that your natural shadow is looking more deep. Go to the filter and choose Gaussian blur. Using this tool, you can make the shadow less deep than before.

use-the-gaussian-blur

Step: 11 Using brush tools for smoothness the natural shadow

Probably this is the last step to creating natural shadow. In this step, you have to use the brush tool in Photoshop. Go to the toolbar and select brush tool from there. You can make the natural shadow more smooth by using the brush tool in Photoshop. You can also press B to get this tool in shortcut.

Step: 12 Save the image

If you have done all the steps described above, then you have already created a natural shadow in your desired file. Now just save the file on your computer. I hope you will create natural shadow on your own by following this article.

drop-shadow-photoshop-1drop-shadow-photoshop-1

Conclusion

In every sector of e-commerce and others, natural shadow Photoshop plays a vital role. Natural shadow is mandatory for looking a photo more attractive and eye-catchy. But while creating this natural shadow, you have to follow each step as I describe above. If you can follow this strictly, you can get your desired file as you want. So, follow the article and enjoy!!!

How To Add Drop Shadow in Photoshop

How To Add Drop Shadow in Photoshop

Drop shadow Photoshop is a popular service in photo editing sector. I will be providing you with a step-by-step beginner guide on how to create a photoshop shadow effect. You can create illustrator drop shadow or INDESIGN drop shadow by using Adobe Illustrator and other software. But I am going to show you how to add Photoshop Drop shadow . 

Hello everyone! Welcome again to a very new Photoshop tutorial on shadow creation in Photoshop for beginners. Why is shadow important for images? Well, great photos became a masterpiece only because of balanced light and shadows.

It doesn’t matter whether you are a beginner as a photographer or a post-processing expert. Every one of you must have in common if you want to create masterpiece images is proper knowledge of shadow and photography lighting.

Shadow provides the depth of field that brings out a realistic feel to the image. But knowing the correct balance is what everyone should master.

drop-shadow-photoshop

What Is A drop shadow Photoshop?

Drop shadow Photoshop is a Photoshop image editing effect that helps images look realistic by providing depth of field. In the image editing for catalog photographs, advertising images, and Web pages, drop shadow is one of the significant parts. Because drop shadow keeps the images grounded and provides a realistic look to them while editing product images. Photoshop experts must remove background from the photos. This eliminates the surface from under the product and makes it look like floating in the air. 

Floating your product in the air creates doubt in your customer’s minds that can reduce your sales. When you remove the white background, create a drop shadow underneath the product to make it look trustworthy.

Different Types Of Photoshop shadow

If you are willing to add shadow in Photoshop to your product photography image, you must know the shadows. Knowing this will help you understand what type of shadow your image needs and the actual rate for it. 

Based on adding shadows in Photoshop and difficulties, the rates differ from one to another. Your image might require one or multiple types of shadow creation service. Before we go for the real action, I want you guys to create shadows in Photoshop. 

The different types of shadows we will talk about today are drop shadow, natural shadow, mirror effect shadow, cast shadow, floating shadow, and reflection shadow.  You can apply this shadow to any type of backgrounds like a white background and transparent background.

So without further delay, let’s get started…

Photoshop Drop Shadow

Photoshop shadow effect service is an ideal image-editing solution when it comes to digital photos. When retailers upload their product photos in any online store. The images must check some key points to impress the consumer, and providing product photos with realistic looks is one of them. 

Making online product photos trustworthy and providing realistic looks is the primary feature of the drop shadow creation technique. In this technique, experts create shadows underneath the product after they cut off the background from the image. 

Photoshop experts create a separate layer to complete the drop shadow photoshop, and the photo above the lower layer is high. 

The photo shadow size increases to about 70 or so pixels per inch, thus creating a new image. Photoshop drop shadow is easy for larger objects, but when you have small ones such as hair where you have tiny details to cover, it becomes a tough job to do. 

But the experts of Silo Path offer professional drop shadow creation regardless of the size and detail of the subject.

photoshop-drop-shadow

Natural Shadow or real shadow Service

Natural shadow or real shadow service makes your images appear lifelike and appealing to serve the users’ expectations. It creates a great view realistic shadow Photoshop. The photos directly coming out of the camera are usually unable to achieve the intended objectives without proper post-processing. 

Hence, the natural shadow service helps images to make them impressive. In reality, a Photoshop Shadow Effect can bring the wanted improvement to the company in which photography is essential for business development. 

The purpose of the natural shadow service is to make the image drop or photo drop look realistic. In this technique, experts try to add shadows to the pictures just like they are naturally added. l Photographers often look away or do not give importance to natural shadow while they add shadow to their images. 

By doing this, they lose the vibe that can connect the viewers to their images. This also can affect online businesses and reduce sales by a large margin. So if you are a beginner, I would suggest you learn and then start adding drop shadow photoshop to your images. Also, you can learn how to mask in photoshop.

natural-shadow-or-real-shadow-service

Mirror Effect Service

Mirror effect shadow in drop shadow photoshop background makes your subject of the image reflective as if it is on a mirror-like surface. This shadow effect service is mainly used on jewelry images and cosmetics product images. It enhances the quality of the product and makes it look premium. 

Some products don’t look good in drop shadow or natural shadow because of their shiny and reflective nature. To improve the viewing experience of these product images, the reflection shadow service is the perfect one to go. 

It gives the image a more attractive appearance and 3D appearance than natural. This service has become an essential part of the market in today’s online companies. Companies choose this option for their online store, from the beauty product to the medical product to other ecommerce products. 

The application of a reflection or mirror shadow effect in an image gives it a robustness and contrast look connected with other surfaces. However, the main difficulty is how to produce the reflection to seem as though it was not purposely made.

mirror-effect-Service

Photoshop cast shadows or Existing Shadow

Sometimes experts need to combine multiple photos and make one. But because of the different angles and framing, blending all the images becomes the most formidable challenge for experts. Cast shadow or existing shadow provides the perfect balance of natural look to the image. When experts combine multiple photos into one, this shadow effect service can play a significant role. 

Using the Photoshop cast shadow effect, you can magnify the realism of your image more than using the shadow drop. From the name, you might get an idea about this shadow effect service. 

When light falls into an object from one side, a dark shadow is created on the other side, reflecting its subject. In cast shadow, experts use such technique and create shadow just like the model or object and then place it right at the opposite side from where the lighting falls.

photoshop-cast-shadows-or-existing-shadow

Floating Shadow Service

We know what drop shadow Photoshop is and where it is best suited, but what if your image floats in mid-air. You can’t use drop shadow because it’s for the products when placed on a surface not floating in the air. In this scenario floating shadow, service brings you the best result you want. Floating shadow service not only increases the depth of field of your image it also shows an overview of the distance of your product from the surface. 

Creating this kind of shadow is more challenging than the typical one as you have to place the shadow precisely, which means the scaling must be perfect. 

Only qualified, skilled, and experienced professionals like we have can pull off this challenging task with ease, so all you can do is outsource your files to us. 

Now that I have covered talking about all the variations of creating shadows in Photoshop, it’s time to complete the task we came here today. In this Photoshop tutorial of adding drop shadow in Photoshop, I will try to make things simpler so that even a beginner can understand and learn from it.

floating-shadow-service

How To Add drop shadow Photoshop

Being a beginner in photo editing, it is normal not to know how to create a drop shadow in Photoshop, but sometimes it becomes a nightmare for some of you. Your nightmares will end today because you will become an expert and start adding Photoshop drop shadow like a pro after this tutorial. Let’s get started…

Steps 1: Open Your Product Image In Adobe Photoshop

First thing first… select the product image you want to use to add drop shadow Photoshop and then insert it in the art board of adobe Photoshop cc. 

To insert the image, you can drag and drop the image directly, or you can use the menu bar on the top. Click on the File→ Open,→ select the image and click OK.

open-product-image-in-photoshop

Step 2: Create a new layer with white background 

This step will remove the image background and create a new layer with a white background. To erase the background, you can use any selection method you want, but I will go with the professional one in this tutorial. 

I am using the clipping path technique to select the background and then erase the background. If you face difficulties while removing your image background, you can check our in-depth how to remove background in photoshop. In that article, I showed almost every simple and easy step that you can go through to remove your image background. 

Let say you have removed the background now, create a new layer from the layers panel and fill it with solid white color.

Create-a-new-layer-with-white-background.

Step 3: Create Duplicate Layer to add drop shadow photoshop

Now create a duplicate of the product images layer so that when you work on your image, it doesn’t get ruined by any accident. To create a duplicate layer of your original image, press Ctrl+J.

create-duplicate-layer

Step 4: Change the color of the foreground

Drop shadow is created from the subject itself, so we have to fill the foreground color into black. To change the foreground color, click on the foreground and press Ctrl+X. The foreground color will change and turn into black, but you should do it manually if it doesn’t happen.

Please do it manually. Click on set the foreground color and select the black paint from the control panel…

change-the-color-of-the-foreground

Step 5: Change The Color Of The Duplicate Layer

After making the foreground color black now, we will change the color of the duplicate layer. Select the duplicate layer and then press Shift+Alt+Delete. This will change the color into the black of the image.

change-thecolor-of-the-duplicate-layer

Step 6: Create The Shadow

If you have followed my instruction till now, then you will have a black-colored duplicate layer. Now we will create drop shadows out of it. To do that, you will need a free transform technique by pressing Ctrl+t. 

This free transform will allow you to move the black portion anywhere you want. As we are going to add drop shadow, we will move the portion underneath the subject. 

So to do that, click on the top of the middle square and drag the image down and take it underneath the subject. This will act as a drop shadow.

create-the-shadow

Step 7: Fix The Position Of The drop shadow photoshop

After dragging the black image down, it will be in front of the original photo, but a drop shadow comes from underneath the subject. So to fix the position of the shadow, we have to bring the shadow underneath the issue. Now bring the duplicate layer under the original layer, and the shadow will be in the proper position.

fix-the-position-of-the-shadow

Step 8: Add Motion Blur

The shadow we have will be harsh, so that we will add some motion blur. To add blur into the shadow, select the shadow layer and then go to Filter>Blur>Motion Blur. A window will pop up.

add-motion-blur

Step 9: Smooth The Edges Of The drop shadow photoshop

From the motion, blur window set the angle to 0 and set the distance according to your requirement, and then click OK to smooth the edges of the shadow. 

Now we will add some gaussian blur to it. Again go to Filter and from there, select the Gaussian Blur option. From the gaussian blur window, I will set the radius to 3. You can adjust it as per your requirement and click OK.

smooth-the-edges-of-The-shadow

Step 10: Add Layer Mask

To make the shadow perfect, we need to use a layer mask with it. Select the drop shadow layer, which is the duplicate layer we have created, and add the layer mask from the layer mask button that is in the right at the bottom of the layer panel.

add-layer-mask

Step 11: Use Brush Tool To Make The Shadow Perfect

Select a brush from the Brush tool, which you will find in the toolbar. Before you use the brush, remember two things first, the brush size, and the second one is the opacity. These two will determine how your shadow will look. 

For my image, I am setting the opacity to 53%, using the default brush size that you can change if you need, and change the foreground color to back. 

use-brush-tool-to-make-the-shadow-perfect

Just swipe over the drop shadow you have created, and your shadow will slowly blend with the image and look perfect. And we are done! See the output, and I am sure you will get a perfect drop shadow for your image.

drop-shadow-photoshop

Where can you use drop shadow Photoshop 

Now that we have created the drop shadow, we must also know where we can use this drop shadow technique, right? But before Photoshop adding shadows you need to know what images of shadows you want.  The purpose of the drop shadow is to make the image look realistic and trustworthy to the viewers. 

So this technique is mostly used for product photos for online stores, making catalogs. 

Digital product photos are in demand because of the boost of the eCommerce business in this pandemic situation when people are afraid of coming out of their houses and shopping in the mall. Let’s dig deep into this matter and know more about the uses of the drop shadow we are talking about.

Amazon Product Photography drop shadow photoshop

Amazon is one of the largest online stores globally, which means the competition between the retailers over there is also tough day by day. The competition between the retailers comes to a stage where providing jaw-dropping images and trustworthiness becomes compulsory. 

So, product photos that retailers produce for ecommerce product listing must contain make shadow to make the product grounded and realistic. Other than that, retailers also must follow the amazon product imagess requirements, or they won’t be able to submit any images for the listing in the first place. 

If you are a photographer, retailer, or product photo editor, you must know how to add drop shadow in the product photo, or the image you will produce will fall short in impressing the audience.

amazon-product

Jewelry Product Photography 

Jewelry product photography is another place where drop shadow photoshop plays a vital role. So, the jewelry business owner need jewellery Photoshop.  Jewelry products are shiny and reflective, and so to make them look natural, adding the right amount of shadow is essential. 

Jewelry product photo mostly require mirror effect shadow or reflection shadow service, but some require drop shadow. Most of the time, jewelry product photos need background removal service because of the unclear surface and props to shoot. 

After removing the background and the props from the image and using a white background to the jewelry image, it will look unrealistic unless we use a shadow to increase the depth of field.

jewelry-shadow

Portrait Photography drop shadow photoshop

Portrait photography is another genre where the shadow is critical. A portrait of headshot images is the best way to express the feature of a person or model. Using the proper self portrait photography lighting and shadow photographer brings out the best quality a person can offer. 

Other than that, portrait photography also uses photography retouching to fix the minor flaws of the images. The different types of portrait photos like self portrait photography, black and white portrait photography, or even male portrait photography, you can use the drop shadow with all and make them more authentic.

protrait-shadow

Footwear Photography

The footwear photography industry is the most modern industry considering other products. Photoshop add drop shadow service makes the footwear look more impressive and authentic to the consumers. When you making shadow on shoes white background, they look realistic.

In footwear images, you will see shadows a lot because only shadows can outline the product’s strength.

footwear-photography

Why use drop shadow Photoshop for photographers or online shop owners?

Though I have already answered this question in this section, I will address it directly and thoroughly explain it. It doesn’t matter that you are a photographer or an online shop owner; if you are working with digital photos to make them better, you have to consider Photoshop drop shadow object as the ultimate choice.

Drop shadow can improve the image quality and offer a 3D look with the depth of field to the product. 

As well, we can control and manipulate the image with the drop shadow. And the major highlight of the drop shadow service is we can improve the image by retaining the beauty of the shot. For example, we can create any kind, for example, large, tiny, or even flat shadow, to increase the usefulness of the frame. 

Photographers can also creatively illustrate drop shadows and make unique designs and things.

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The Bottom Line 

In this editorial, you will get to know almost every bit about Photoshop shadow services. The tutorial that will teach you how to add drop shadow in Photoshop will work as a cherry on the top. 

If you are searching for a shadow-making tutorial, follow this step-by-step beginner guide on creating a drop shadow in Photoshop. 

This article aimed to make sure even the beginner can leave by knowing exactly what a pro person would know about adding shadows in Photoshop. 

Before leaving, I want to tell you to stay home, stay safe, stay strong in this challenging time, and learn the Photoshop shadow creation technique like a pro.