NEW PRO! Advanced Lighting Effects in Photoshop

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Advanced Lighting Effects in Photoshop

by Aaron Nace
August 1, 2025
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Difficulty

Advanced
Length

3.75 hours
Videos

11
Software

Photoshop

Description

Master lighting effects in Photoshop! This tutorial explores our top ten dynamic techniques, from cinematic glows and sparkling skin to dramatic sun flares and retro film aesthetics. Discover how to intensify highlights, sculpt light trails, and infuse vibrant color into any photo.

THIS COURSE INCLUDES

27 Sample Images
10 Sample PSDs

1 | Course Preview

01 - What You’ll Learn

3:02m

2 | Learn The Basics

01 - Cinematic Lighting

30:23m
02 - Sparkles Effect

29:40m
03 - Light Trails

20:01m
04 - Sun Flares

20:33m
05 - Soft Lighting

17:23m

3 | Your Skills In Action

01 - Conceptual Lighting

20:05m
02 - Film Effect

26:48m
03 - Sun Rays

15:56m
04 - Skin Glow Effect

21:56m
05 - Light Streaks

16:44m

Course Downloads

Transform with Light

AFTER

BEFORE

Crafting Lighting Effects

Lighting is key to making your photos stand out, creating mood and drawing the eye. Learning how to control light in Photoshop is a game-changer for any editor. In this tutorial we’ll teach you our top 10 techniques for creating amazing lighting effects, helping you make your pictures truly shine.

Combining Images

Learn to combine different images to create a variety of lighting effects. We’ll show you how to seamlessly integrate these elements, from adding subtle glows to skin to creating dynamic, full-frame luminosity. The focus is on making these added lights appear naturally part of your original photograph.

Using Blending Modes

Blending modes are essential when creating light effects. These powerful settings seamlessly integrate layers, transforming how different effects interact with your images. We’ll show you exactly how to wield blend modes like Lighten and Screen with precision, so you can achieve realistic results every time.

AFTER

BEFORE

Analyzing Light

Understanding your image’s existing light is fundamental to creating believable effects. It’s not just about adding a glow; it’s about seamlessly integrating it so it feels natural. In this tutorial, you’ll learn to analyze the direction and quality of light already present in your photos. We’ll make sure your lens flares, light rays, and sun glows will look completely natural and enhance your images beautifully, without any artificial feel.

Dynamic Path Blurs

Discover how to create dynamic light streaks and rays using the Path Blur filter. This powerful tool in Photoshop’s Blur Gallery gives you precise control over the direction and speed of light, making still photos feel full of energy. We’ll teach you the ins and outs of this tool, so you can add stunning, directional light that brings your photos to life.

Channels & Layer Masks

Uncover hidden light in your images by extracting light with channels, selecting the brightest areas to form a new, workable layer. Then, fine-tune where that light appears using layer masks for selective application. You’ll learn to precisely paint in or out the effect, ensuring your light enhancements are seamlessly integrated and perfectly placed within your photos.

Add Interest & Drama

Lens Flares, Sun Rays & More

Discover how to sculpt light to create captivating focal points, adding radiant glows, creating vibrant light trails, and generating realistic sun flares for breathtaking results.

AFTER

BEFORE

Cinematic Effects

Learn how to add textures, noise, and light leaks to create beautiful cinematic effects, that feel just like a Polaroid! You’ll discover how to perfectly blend in subtle grain, vintage light, and rich overlays. This will give your photos a unique, timeless, and film-inspired feel that truly makes them special.

The Power of ACR

Explore the power of the Camera Raw Filter’s Lens Blur to sculpt depth in your photos. This tool helps you create realistic background blur or even selectively blur areas, making your subjects pop in no time. You’ll master its intuitive controls, including painting in blur for artistic effects, to perfectly guide the viewer’s eye.

Make it Cohesive

Beyond specific effects, mastering generic adjustments is key to perfecting your light work. You’ll learn to sculpt your image’s overall look using Curves for precise contrast and brightness adjustments, ensuring your light effects pop. Plus, dive into diverse color adjustment options like Channel Mixer, Color Balance, and Gradient Map, allowing you to seamlessly integrate your luminous enhancements with perfect color harmony.

AFTER

BEFORE

Adding Skin Glow

Make skin glow from within by paying special attention to certain colors and understanding how light passes through skin. In this tutorial, you’ll master isolating highlights using channels and levels, then apply Gaussian blur for luminous effects. Discover how Blend If and other blend modes infuse warm, vibrant colors into highlights and shadows, creating natural and radiant skin tones.

Non-Destructive Editing

If you know PHLEARN, you know that we champion non-destructive editing, and this tutorial is no exception! In this tutorial we’ll show you how to create smart objects, apply flexible edits, and easily revert changes, ensuring your original image remains untouched and your workflow stays efficient.

Special Effects Learning Path

Master the art of stunning special effects with our Special Effects Learning Path. Learn the secrets behind creating mesmerizing text effects, mastering double exposure techniques, crafting dispersion wonders, and adding that magical glow to your images. Get ready to impress with your newfound skills and bring your imagination to life!

Aaron Nace

PHLEARN Founder – Class Instructor

Aaron Nace is a photographer, Photoshop artist and founder of PHLEARN. He is the #1 Photoshop instructor in the world with millions of YouTube subscribers.

View More Classes by Aaron Nace

Special thanks to Allan Lainez, Hannah Popowski, Albert Salim, Kier in Sight Archives, Kym MacKinnon, Luke Besley, Jay Soundo, Simon Humler, Annie Spratt, Guilherme Stecanella, Yichen Wang, Mariola Grobelska, Joel Mott, Evie S, Medapati veerendra, Mockaroon, Neom, Valentin Bolder, Vivek, and Karsten Winegeart.