How to Cast Realistic Shadows in Photoshop? Realistic Cast Shadow Effect

Casting a realistic shadow in Photoshop will make your product more appealing and trustworthy. Viewers will be able to connect themselves with the product as they are used to seeing shadows in real life. Shadow creation is an essential part of eCommerce Image Editing. Different methods are used in product photography to add shadow.

Through this article, you will learn how to cast realistic shadows in Photoshop. By following some simple steps, you will be able to make your products more engaging and realistic. It won’t take long to follow this Photoshop realistic shadow-adding tutorial. Here are the steps.

How to Cast Realistic Shadows in Photoshop? Just 8 Simple Steps

Step 1: Open The Image To Cast Realistic Shadows in Photoshop

Step 2: Add A New Layer

Step 3: Select Polygonal Lasso Tool

Step 4: Cast Realistic Shadows

Step 5: Apply Tilt-Shift Blur

Step 6: Add Mask To The Layer

Step 7: Copy The Object Layer

Step 8: Save Image With Cast Realistic Shadows

Step 1: Open The Image To Cast Realistic Shadows in Photoshop

First of all, we have to open the image in Photoshop to cast realistic shadows with the product. We are going to show you the tutorial using this image.

For this method, we have to remove the product from its original background. You can do that with background removal. We have the object and background in different layers.

Step 2: Add A New Layer

Now, we have to add a new layer. You can do that by pressing on the Add A layer option from the layer panel.

We are going to create a realistic cast shadow in this new layer. So, place the layer between the object and the background layer.

Step 3: Select Polygonal Lasso Tool

For this step, we have to select the area for the cast realistic shadow. You are going to do that using the polygonal lasso tool. You can choose another selection tool as well if you feel convenient. You can get the toll from here.

You have to create a polygonal shape like the realistic shadow shape of the object. We have created this shape for the above product.

Now, we have to work on this selection to make it like a realistic shadow.

Step 4: Cast Realistic Shadows

To form the selection like a shadow, we have to delete the portion. You have to press the shortcut key ALT + Delete or ALT + Backspace to convert the selection like a shadow.

It does look like a shadow but it is too dark and looks unreal. We have to work on the shadow to make it look realistic. To do that, reduce the opacity of this layer by around 35%-40%.

At this point, it is looking better but it needs more modification. We will do that using the blur option.

Step 5: Apply Tilt-Shift Blur

We can make the dark area look like a realistic cast shadow using the blur option. Go to Filter from the top and choose the blur gallery. Then, you have to click on the tilt-shift blur option.

After that, you will get this tilt-shift blur interface on your screen.

You have to place the blur on the option. To do that, click on it using the left mouse key and rotate it vertically. Then, change the blur to 135 px and click on the OK to apply changes.

Step 6: Add Mask To The Layer

At this stage, you have to click on the mask icon from the layer panel to add a mask to the layer. Then, select the brush tool from the left side and reduce the flow by 10%.

Then, you have to brush on the edges of the shadow to make it cast realistic shadows in Photoshop. Just do it for the edge area of the shadow’s left portion.

Step 7: Copy The Object Layer

Now, you have to select the layer having the object and press CTRL + J to copy that layer. After that, you have to press the CTRL + U option to enable the shortcut for hue and saturation adjustment.

Then, you have to reduce the lightness to 0 so that the object converts into totally black. You can see it in the layer icon. Then, press the Enter key to apply the changes. After that, you have to apply the tilt-shift blur option once again on this layer.

Position the blur on the bottom of the product and change the blur to around 5 pixels. That will convert the shadow into realistic cast shadows. Here’s the result.

Step 8: Save Image With Cast Realistic Shadows

Now, our image is ready to get saved. You can save the image from the File option at the top.

You can save it in any required format. Hopefully, you have also created realistic shadows in Photoshop for your product.

3 Best Tips

• Observe where the highlights and natural shadows fall on the subject. Try to create shadows in that position.
• Create a base shadow close to the object using the selection tool in a different layer. It looks more realistic.
• Lower the opacity of the shadow to avoid it looking too harsh. You can do that by reducing the opacity of the layer.

3 Common Mistakes

• Do not apply the brush tool on the product or close to the product shadow. Otherwise, the shadow will look fake.
• Do not place the shadow in the wrong angle and position that looks artificial in the background.
• Real shadows don’t have hard and sharp edges. That’s why you have to avoid it using the brush tool.

Final Words

So, that was the easiest process of how to cast realistic shadows in Photoshop. You can easily apply it to your images. If you are working with product photography and you have a lot of images to apply realistic shadows, it will be difficult for you to do it alone.

Don’t worry, Clipping Way will be a helping hand for you. Contact us now to get any sort of eCommerce Image Editing Services. We are available 24/7 to deliver the best quality product photo editing services. The price is also reasonable. Let’s have a try with a free trial. 

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