Create Real Shadow in Photoshop

Adding shadows in your post-production can add more realistic looks when compositing photos. They can have a great impact, and help enhance the aesthetic of your photos. Shadows also add mood and depth to your photo.

In this tutorial, we are going to explain two methods of creating shadows for a subject. We will use Photoshop ver. 2021. Let us begin!

Create Real Shadow in Photoshop

Method 1

In this method, we create the shape of the shadow by selecting the subject and separating it from its background. Then flip a copy of it vertically, fill it with black, and transform it to match the new background with perspective. Then, we use the puppet tool to adjust its position with the original object finally, adding blur and gradient to the shadow. Here are the detailed steps to composite two photos and then create a shadow.

Photo by Aenic from Pexels

Step 1

Open the new background photo and the subject photo

Step 2

In the subject photo, select the subject. You may use the Quick Selection tool or any other selection tools.

Step 3

Copy the selection (Ctrl + C), then paste it twice (Ctrl +V) in the background document. Name the first copy layer “subject” and the second copy layer “shadow”

Step 4

Use the Free transformation tool (Ctrl +T) to position and scale the subject

Step 5

In the shadow layer, and with the subject selected, fill the selection with black. (Right-click your mouse within the selection, and choose Fill)

Choose black from the menu

Step 6

In the shadow layer, and with the subject selected, flip the shadow vertically

Step 7

Move and match the shadow perspective with the background

Use Edit > Transform > Perspective

Use the Puppet Wrap Tool, to adjust the shape of the shadow. (Edit> Puppet Wrap)

Step 8

Blur the shadow. (Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur)

Step 9

Add a gradient to the shadow.

Add a layer mask to the shadow layer. Use the gradient tool to add some gradient to the shadow. Use black to white. In addition, you can adjust the layer opacity to control the shadow look.

The result is shown below

Method 2

In this method, we create the shape of the shadow by using the drop shadow option. Then we transform it to match the new background with perspective. Then, we use the puppet tool to adjust its position with the original object finally, adding blur and gradient to the shadow. Here are the detailed steps to composite two photos and create a shadow.

Photo by André Cook from Pexels

Step 1

Open the new background photo and the subject photo

Step 2

In the subject photo, select the subject. You may use the Quick Selection tool or any other selection tools.

Step 3

Copy the selection (Ctrl + C), then paste it (Ctrl +V) in the background document. Name the copied layer “subject”

Step 4

Use the Free transformation tool (Ctrl +T) to position and scale the subject

Step 5

Duple click on the right side of the subject layer to open the layer style menu, then check the drop shadow box, then press O.K

Step 6

Now, we are going to detach the shadow to a new layer. Layer > Layer Style > Create Layer

Step 7

In the shadow layer, press (Ctrl + T) to transform the shadow. Drag the upper-middle handle down to flip the shadow, and then adjust its position

Modify the perspective by right click inside the transformation box and move the handle to modify it.

Step 8

Add blur and gradient to the shadow as described in step 8, and 9 in the previous example

The result is shown below

Another example

In this example, we will composite the two below photos and add shadow to the final image.

Related posts

What Are The Selection Tools In Photoshop?

What Is A Mask In Photoshop? – A Complete Beginner’s Guide

How To Place Anything Into Perspective In Photoshop

How To Add Reflection In Photoshop

You can also check our editing tips and tutorials

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed the article if you have any questions just post them below & I will be happy to answer you.

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