Photoshop How To

Photographs often have more depth and drama when there are shadows in the scene, but unfortunately the light doesn’t always cooperate. In the quick video below you’ll learn how to use Photoshop to create and manipulate a shadow so it appears totally real.

In this simple tutorial image-editing expert Kelvin Pimont explains that shadows near a subject are usually dark and sharp, while those further away tend to be lighter and less distinct. In just eight minutes he demonstrates how to get the job done.

The trick to making shadows appear real is matching the light source in terms of angle, perspective, and opacity. And with a few Photoshop filters like the blur and gradient tools, and a bit of trickery, the process is easy to accomplish

You can find more helpful videos on Pimont’s YouTube channel, and be sure to watch his earlier Photoshop tutorial we shared explaining the best way to sharpen your images.