How to Create Shadows from Scratch in Photoshop!

Introduction

• Presenter: Pixel Perfect
• Objective: Teach how to create realistic shadows in Photoshop.
• Use Case: Helpful for product photographers or creating shadows on uneven backgrounds.

Understanding Shadow Layers

1. Layer 1: General shadow area.
2. Layer 2: Darker areas with less light.
3. Layer 3: Areas with even less light.
4. Layer 4: Extremely dark, thin lines where no light passes.

Steps to Create Shadows

Initial Setup

• Selection: Use the pen tool for accurate selection (e.g., soap bars).
• Load Selection: Select > Load Selection.
• Mask: Click on the mask button with the selection active.
• Background: Create a solid white background.
• Extend Canvas: Use crop tool (C) for more space.

Creating Layers of Shadow

1. Layer 1: Create & Blur -turn off the mask to create shadow on layer 1 shadow
   • Tool: Polygonal Lasso Tool for selection.
   • Fill: With black. press d for default color
   • press alt + backspace
   • ctrl d -on the shadow 1 layer ,convert to smart filter
   • Blur: Filter > Blur Gallery > Field Blur
     • Near object: Less blur.
     • Far from object: More blur.
   • Adjust Opacity: Around 40%.
   • Mask: Create a negative mask on shadow layer
   • press alt and click mask on shadow layer

• take brush ,really really big like this
• white just foreground color ,just bring in ( brush the mask shadow 1 }

2. Layer 2: Create & Blur

   • Tool: Polygonal Lasso Tool again for selection. -if mistake use lasso tool ,just press backspace -alt + backspace -ctrl d

   • Fill: With black.

   • Blur: Same steps as Layer 1 but with more blur and added Gaussian Blur. 100 -+ tilt shift

   • Adjust Opacity: Around 36%.

3. Layer 3: Darker Shadows

   • Tool: Polygonal Lasso Tool for selection.
   • Fill: With black.alt backspace -ctrl d -convert to smart filter
   • Blur: Gaussian Blur around 180
   • Adjust Opacity: Around 60%.

4. Layer 4: Thinnest Shadow Layer

   • Tool: Polygonal Lasso Tool.
   • Fill: With black.alt + backspace -convert to smart filter
   • Blur: Slight Gaussian Blur (around 19.4).
   • Adjust Opacity: Slightly.32

new layer above the soap -clipping the layer -dark the subject use brush

-select the first shadow to shadow 4 -shift to group -ctrl g -name shadow -on the name shadow group layer , click ctrl shift N -overlay ,tick on noise overlay -name grain -convert to smart filter Adding Grain for Natural Look

• New Layer: Set blending mode to Overlay.
• Noise Filter: Filter > Noise > Add Noise (set to 30, uniform, monochromatic).
• Blur Grain: Slight Gaussian Blur around 0.8.
• Adjust Opacity: To desired look.44

Final Adjustments

• Multiple Layers: Convert layers for smart filters to adjust later.
• Fixing Areas: Use brush tool to smooth edges.
  • Flow & Opacity: Adjust as needed for blending.
• Additional Shadows: Manually brush in extreme dark areas.
• Darkening Object: If necessary, create a clipping mask on the object layer and brush areas close to shadows.

Adding Grain for Natural Look

• New Layer: Set blending mode to Overlay.
• Noise Filter: Filter > Noise > Add Noise (set to 30, uniform, monochromatic).
• Blur Grain: Slight Gaussian Blur around 0.8.
• Adjust Opacity: To desired look.44

Recap & Tips

• Think of shadows in multiple layers for realism.
• Use various blur techniques and manual brushing for refinement.
• Optional: Add grain to improve natural appearance.
• Recommendations: Take breaks to catch mistakes.

Conclusion

• Summary: Creating shadows from scratch can enhance product images on e-commerce or uneven surfaces.
• Invitation: Like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more tutorials.

Acknowledgments

• Thanks to Patreon supporters of Pixel Perfect.

Next Steps

• Stay tuned for more tips, tricks, and tutorials.

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