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The Secret to Creating Shadows in Photoshop

Compositing, Photoshop Jan 09 , Episode 213

How to calculate light in shadows

Creating realistic shadows in Photoshop really is about the hardest thing you can do. The reason for this, is that there is so much more going on than what most people think about. In today’s episode, I am going to shed some light on what needs to be done to create perfect composites.

Today’s Episode Timeline

  • 0:32 – Announcing Amelia’s Move & what that means for you
  • 1:00 – Announcing the winners from last week’s contest!
  • 3:00 – The secret that no one thinks about when doing composites
  • 4:20 – Showing light bouncing back and forth
  • 6:20 – Why this contest is going to benefit you
  • 7:30 – Adding a bit more to the mushroom
  • 8:50 – Fixing exposure and color
  • 10:10 – Taking the light and color from the mushroom
  • 16:20 – Adding depth to the shadow
  • 19:30 – EPISODE PUMP UP

Last Week’s Contest Winner

Lets us know which Phlearn PRO Photoshop Tutorial you would like!

  • Ian- Resolutions bar – workout equipment first 2 weeks, alcohol the rest of the year.
  • Tia- Took amazing initiative, and has already contacted photographers to work with.
  • Elaine- Love What You Do!
  • Reem- Wants to make out with Adam Levine
  • Jason – Great slides and a very clear idea of what he will do

This Week’s Contest

Use THESE images to create a realistic composite. Remember the shadows, light, and color all play back and forth. Submit your JPG in a comment for a chance to win! If you can do this, you can do just about any composite in Photoshop. The contest is open until next Monday at 12PM CST.

5 People will each win 2 PRO Photoshop Tutorials.

Here are the download files, I can’t wait to see your composites!

Here is my .PSD if you want to go through it. About 1.5 hrs into it.

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  • Nicolas MAILLET

    Yeaaaaaaaahhhhhhh It really rocks !!!!! Amazing job.

  • http://twitter.com/BillyKingsmill Billy Kingsmill

    Here’s my attempt. Brilliant video Aaron!!!

  • http://www.flickr.com/karissa-lynne Karissa Hosek

    thank you for covering shadows!! learned more in this episode then i did having it covered in class because we used a black brush on low opacity. colors make a worlds of difference on the image.
     the ending of this is hilarious. reminds me of my brother who always seems to fart in the worst situations…

  • Michael Benford

    The 2 download links above didnt include the .psd. Is there a different link then the 2 above to download the .psds? Thanks for your help.

  • Dorianwidling

    really well done, looks great!!

  • Maddy [MS]

    Learnt a lot trying to do this never really worked with shadows before. Phlearn makes it so easy.

  • Eiríkur Brynjólfsson

    after posting it on a forum, i got a realy nice critique. noise in the background dint fit, the lighting was little to overdone, and looked that it was not from the right lightsort(stil not there thow ;/ ) and her leg was not resting right.

    so i gave it an 2hour more work, and wow. i was a litle suprised of the change.
    i think its for the better. :)

  • Colin Bridge

    Wow great episode Aaron. I had never thought about the reciprocal lighting before today! This is my first contest i’m entering and I cant wait to enter more!

  • Colin Bridge

    Wow great episode Aaron. I had never thought about the reciprocal lighting before today! This is my first contest i’m entering and I cant wait to enter more!

  • Colin Bridge

    Wow great episode Aaron. I had never thought about the reciprocal lighting before today! This is my first contest i’m entering and I cant wait to enter more! (edit this is the correct version!)

  • Nick Arora

    Okay this was a fun challenge…but I also have to say it was the HARDEST challenge you’ve put up so far.  It literally made me think about all sorts of crazy concepts you’ve brought up in the last 200 episodes — direction of light, shadow colors, atmospheric haze, black and white check layers, etc etc.

    Anyway, its not perfect but I worked really hard on it!  You really know your stuff aaron and every episode is making me better and better at photoshop.  (Seriously, a few months ago, I would have been stoked that I managed to cut her out without butchering her hair!)

    My entry –

  • http://twitter.com/guardsofnick Nick Bedford

    Here’s me spending a bit more time refining it haha.

  • Writerpersongirl

    cool! nicely done.

  • Gonçalo Motta Carneiro

    I’ve already seen great entries. Phamily has some real talent.
    Here’s my take on it. Cheers

  • Reem

    great job!! its really really good!

  • Vin Tew

    Guys, thank you all for your kind comments, I really appreciate that.  :)

  • Pingback: A girl on a Mushroom | ABPHOTOS - Outdoor Photography - Paris

  • http://twitter.com/abphotos_it Andrea Baccara

    Dear Aaron, thank you for this contest. It helped me to make something useful in my free time :) This was very fun indeed and it allows me to apply a loooooot of concept learned in your lessons.
    Moreover I need to improve myself using my new wacom tablet. Anyway here my result. I also share the whole PSD for everyone interested in, you can find the link on my website:

    http://www.abphotos.it/?p=525

  • Natasha Root

    This was fun and great practice with a chance to win some phlearn pros… Nothing bad could come out of it. Even if I don’t win the pros I’ve learned something from the process. Thanx Aaron!

  • Dorianwidling

    Awesome challenge Aaron, but so difficult! Here is my modest attempt…

  • http://www.selenealexia.com/ Selene-Alexia

    This was indeed really fun! Very very cool detail to add to my composites from now on :) I had some fun trying to turn the original pictures into something bigger!

    Thanks again for all the Awesome tutorials!! I’ve really learned a lot this week and am excited to see what you’ll all create next week :D

  • http://www.selenealexia.com/ Selene-Alexia

    looks really beautiful! well done! :)

  • Anonymous

    I Enjoyed that, I learnt alot from that, it really makes the composite a lot more realistic..
    anyhow here is my entry.

  • Natasha Root

    cropped… :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1267827831 Seif Ragheb

    Hey Mr.Aaron , that my first really work , and i like this episode to much you are a great master , So hope you check my pic. and hope you like it ,..

    Wait for your comment ..: ) 

  • Anonymous

    I didn’t think I would get time to finish it but I did…

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Macxs-Oppici/100001165439043 Macxs Oppici

    This is my try. Bye everyone!!!

  • Sebastian Ortiz

    Well, I gave it a try, very challenging, but I like a challenge so here’s mine… HAve a great long weekend everyone!!
     Peace and Love…

    Sebastian

  • http://www.facebook.com/eugincore Eugin Cöre

    Hey ppl! here is my first try, it was so fun and helpful to me! I hope you like it (:

  • http://www.facebook.com/eugincore Eugin Cöre

    Hey ppl! This is my first try, it was so fun and helpful to me! I hope you like it (:

  • http://www.facebook.com/eugincore Eugin Cöre

    Hey ppl! This is my first try, it was so fun and helpful to me! I hope you like it! (:

  • Nesayus

    Nice work with the legs :)

  • Nesayus

    Ok it’s done. Finally I found the post button ;)

  • Anonymous

    Ok second try.

  • Jenny Su

    Here’s my submit :]

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001436136016 Daniel James T. Cook

    girl, mushroom. yep.

  • http://twitter.com/guardsofnick Nick Bedford

    haha interesting twist :)

  • James Bennett

    Girl, mushroom, shadow…. Aaron?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Shahram-Rad/100000624217158 Shahram Rad

    first try???  looks like you have some talent with light  :)

  • Vin Tew

    LOL, or I should mention that I literally spent 3 days to fix the shadow. I love photoshopping. :D

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Shahram-Rad/100000624217158 Shahram Rad

    I don’t know what Aaron would say, but this is very good. :)  

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Shahram-Rad/100000624217158 Shahram Rad

    Oke. it is also the best i could. :)

    I also change the direction of legs ( you can see in a Pro episode)
    I think it was Rebirth.

  • Virginia Arigon

    love the way u crossed her legs! awesome and very creative! She looks tiny indeed!!

  • Pingback: How to Use Saturation to Make Your Images Amazing

  • Vin Tew

    LOL the result came out, but hey, thank you Shahram!

  • Nick Arora

    Hey, do you have an email address I could reach you at? I have a question about your technique

  • Vin Tew

    English isn’t my first language so I’m not sure if I can explain it clearly. :)

    Here is my email: tewpoyin@gmail.com

  • Tsaqib

    Can I use dodge and burn tool instead of darker colours to create shadows?

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