How to Make most REALISTIC SHADOWS in Photoshop, 3 simple steps

[@photoshopcafe]

Written companion to this tutorial: photoshopcafe.com/how-to-make-very-realistic-shadows-in-photoshop/

[@kbchronicles3048]

Collin, I have been TRYING to create realistic shadows for YEARS and you just showed me how in five MINUTES! THANK YOU!

[@photoshopcafe]

Glad to help. Stick around, more to come :)

[@ChristopherBriscoe]

Thanks for inspiring me through the years with every episode you post.

[@photoshopcafe]

Thanks so much Christopher! Made my day :)

[@SLA-ht1rw]

This is the most clear tutorial for photoshop I've ever found on KZbin. I have an architecture project due tomorrow and this gave me exactly what I needed to finish it. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

[@donquixote88]

This is by far the best and the most straightforward tutorial for adding realistic shadow to an image. You sir are a savior!

[@Jeeprassic]

You are the best at showing "each" step in a good motion making the process easy. THANK YOU!

[@BestAudiovisualTricks]

Easiest shadows creation method I've ever seen in the last 20 years. Amazing trick Colin!

[@reubenitemedia]

Absolutely helped! I've had my fair share of struggles creating realistic looking shadows and have mostly hacked my way through various methods to accomplish my goal. The method you outline here is so commonsense, simple, and straightforward. Greatly appreciate your concise guidance throughout the video for sure. Cheers mate!

[@sarahbebe5022]

Just for anyone wondering on a Mac, for the create layer instruction at 0.48 you hold control and click on the effect. It will give you the drop down menu that you see him using ☺

[@LaPubisLady]

This was super helpful! I had not yet seen the field blur, but now I don't think I can ever go back! Very handy. I love learning new PS tricks.

[@rodcoots4175]

This is the first shadow tutorial I've seen that really works for me. Thank You.

[@photoshoptipsbyali]

Thank you so much dear, this is the first shadow tutorial I've seen that really works for me.

[@glenrose7482]

What a tale nice tutorial. Very chill, easy to follow and quick. An additional compositing trick is to then tint the shadow to match the inverse colour of the light (in this case a slight blue/cyan tint) casting the shadow.

[@jillbeexo]

Amazing. The best tutorial I've seen for this yet.

[@RichardJohnson-xj5pg]

A great tutorial. I have looked at other tutorials but this is the easiest by far.

[@jenniferatterton1587]

Looks fabulous. I used some of those steps when I make shadows, but haven't used the gradient or density tool, just the opacity, so that is very helpful, thank you, Colin.

[@sandykreit1752]

I always learn something new from you Colin.

[@nathanrippon1]

Great video with clear instructions and explanations

[@sunilchristian3430]

I've never done converting a layer of a drop shadow! I always select the object and copy it in black in another layer. And, then I go with the same rest steps you have shown here. But, now I'll try this drop shadow process. Thank you!

[@1chrisandrew1]

Fabulous tutorial - just what I was looking for - thank you!

[@TerryWindell]

THANK YOU! I've been lookin for a way to up my shadow creation skills. This is exactly what I needed!

[@remyfernandes7246]

The best tutorial on shadow after watching so many!!! Thanks for teaching me a new tool 'field shadow'

[@photoshopcafe]

Happy to hear that!

[@philparker97]

Thank you very much! I've just created a very realistic shadow, of which I wouldn't have known how to even start, let alone add the field blur and gradient, without your clear and concise tutorial.

[@jkendall-marks3866]

This was super helpful - I forgot how to simply add drop shadow / create new layer trick. You've reduced the actions to easy-to-follow order. & kept it short & sweet.

[@Chozend]

Man what I've learned today was holding alt and scroll key to zoom in and out.. This just sped up my workflow so much. Thank you

[@gunnarbrakel6539]

brilliant video, easiest to follow and looks great

[@CJGlynnPhotography]

Nice use of Field Blur. Good job. Thanks for the tutorial.

[@Dormazain]

That was easilyone of the most concise, well made tutorials I've ever looked up. I spent 10 minutes trying to figure it out myself, starting by copying the object layer and painting it black... surely I'm glad about the results this gives :D

[@rodgermcreynolds4549]

Great tut! One thing that I miss in many PS tutorials is a step-by-step listing of all steps needed to complete the effect. Naturally, I can go back and pause the video as I perform each step, but it would be most convenient to be able to print a step-by-step guide to have available as I'm working on my own image.

[@photoshopcafe]

Glad you bought that up. Also most every tutorial on this channel has a written companion over at photoshopCAFE, this one is no exception. I probably do a poor job of telling people. You can see this one here: photoshopcafe.com/how-to-make-very-realistic-shadows-in-photoshop/

[@bethmcelroy8253]

Thank you! I've been struggling with a shadow in a composite project. This was super helpful.

[@palmieritony]

I love to learn what I didn't know...which is the definition of "learning", I guess?! :-) Thanks for taking the time to share!

[@Joanne0728]

Wow... it is a great feature to make the photo real. thank you.

[@MsBittyIsSnoozy]

I have been creating shadows in the most complicated way possible. This is so helpful! Thank you!

[@MrBroomy]

Thanks, Colin! You're always informative and thorough!

[@kayota0707]

Very usefull! Thank you very much for this tutorial, I need it for college. Now I know how to drop a shadow in a very simple way.

[@DJI-mini3]

spot on, straight forward instructions, I will use this method in future. thanks

[@SOFIAPINEIRO-WIDEJKO]

thank you this helped me fix my assignment for class!

[@eoslove2022]

WOW! I've been messaging shadows in such a clumsy way with less than stellar results, BUT THIS TUTORIAL HAS CHANGED ALL THAT!! Thank you.

[@lyndastarwriter]

Me, too...I'm off and running now...

[@kathiganong2777]

fantastic tutorial and I learned some great steps that I had never used.

[@nixonmanuel6459]

This is wonderful! Thank you for your conscientiousness.

[@LongTran-yv2nq]

Straight to the point and pleasant, easy to follow, thank you!

[@TheJohnlentz]

Excellent video. I now understand shadows better!

[@aleksandarmiletic3814]

Great video and explanation Colin. The tutorial is complex but easy to understand!

[@DanushiChamira-kp3gn]

Thank you very much . Your explanation is very clean and clear.

[@photoshopcafe]

You are welcome!

[@debbiecalnan9327]

I did and thank you so much. I really needed this for a project I am working on. I'm quite happy with the results.

[@brianbilverstone4580]

Well, this will solve a lot of my shadowing issues. Never knew you could do that. Thank you.

[@P.F-t5j]

The best method. Works everytime. Thank you so much!

[@a.joshatt7518]

this is gold. clear in each and every aspect. Thank you so much.

[@4thwalltvandfilm]

Nice wrokflow. Better steps than my similar manual process. Loved the Layer effect to layer trick. Easier than making a selection and filling git.

[@nanztaxi123]

I’m very new to photoshop I’m fromNewZealand and have learnt a lot from your video’s and I am enjoying them I’ve almost watched all your videos I find them fell of information and easy to follow some are still to advanced for me as I’m still learning but I still watch them thank you for all that you teach us

[@photoshopcafe]

Kia ora it will come clear with practice

[@FirebirdCreativeDesign]

Awesome!!! Thank you! Saved this so I can come back later when I forget. LOL

[@pimaerts]

This was EXACTLY what I was looking for, many thnx, great stuff!

[@ChrisHunt4497]

Great content. Yes, I learnt lots, thanks. Got it saved now. You are always brilliant Colin. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@ron95754]

Wow that really helps. Lot's new here. This is a much better method then I've been using.

[@jlopez7596]

Thanks for showing us your process of creating shadows i am sure you have played with many variables to make it come out the way you want it.

[@photoshopcafe]

I have used all kinds of techniques throughout the years. This is my current go to method.

[@jlopez7596]

@@photoshopcafe thanks again colin. It is straightforward and effective.

[@donlanteigne8629]

That was great, now I just need to know how to do a sideways shadow.

[@adrianvanleeuwen]

I had done shadows before with blur and opacity but not to this degree. Thanks for showing a lot more ways to do shadows.

[@terrylong8465]

I use this method from now on! Thanks.

[@bruceblaylock8682]

Colin, one of your best ever. Like others I have been doing shadows in a similar, but much less effective way. Thank you so much!!

[@mavenartistry]

Great tutorial! Thanks for the clear and concise instruction.

[@farmerchaamaley]

i never comment on youtube videos - but this tutorial is unbelievably clear and useful! worked like a charm, and incredibly well done overall :)

[@photoshopcafe]

Thanks :)

[@sjamesons]

Very good Colin, as usual. In fact, I have just finished a project where I need to fix the shadows. I have watched so many of your videos and will continue! Thanks so much once again. Scott Jameson.

[@photoshopcafe]

Thanks for watching

[@paulwoodward3453]

Excellent tutorial as always. I'll try this out today!

[@DSMENTOR62]

Thanks for this amazing tutorial

[@simoncullinan5369]

Thank you for sharing Colin. Yep always learn something new or something more. Your tutorials are easy to follow and well explained! I’ll be using these steps more often when I can 👍😊

[@photoshopcafe]

Thanks Simon

[@brucefrandsen8473]

Excellent. I've often wondered how to do something like this

[@rajeshrelan]

very well explained. I definetely learned something new

[@randomcallsign]

fast, to the point and useful. recommended

[@JOHAN5459]

this channel is worth followed and subscribed, Thanks for the tutorial

[@Anujsyal595]

great man.. very easy way to add shadow...thank you a lot

[@jimharrison1156]

Great so easy once you know the steps! It was just in time. I just cut out a 90th bday cake with an elaborate sign from a terrible background and put it on a nicer one. I had added light from the side and was having trouble getting my shadow right.

[@Dannisa18]

This is so cool. I will definitely be doing this.

[@sogandbayesteh6562]

i'm so glad for finding this video

[@mandypriestley2408]

This is a fantastic tutorial for shadows. And so simple. Thanks Colin

[@Jen-kw2fn]

Massive thumbs up! This was such a simple method to get a high quality result. Thank you so much.

[@photoshopcafe]

Glad it helped!

[@souvikofficial5734]

Thank you very much sir for this nice tutorial

[@JasonHauser125]

That's really cool. I have an older version of PS and not sure it can do all that.

[@Olando89]

Thanks for the help. I appreciate you.

[@sonjon1000]

simple and effective, great tut

[@mediatrends3605]

You are my go to Photoshop guru! You are awesome!🙌🏾

[@photoshopcafe]

Thanks so much!

[@stuartbraithwaite1297]

Awesome tutorial, thanks Colin.

[@photoshopcafe]

Thanks mate!

[@SenorGancho]

Thank you Colin Brilliant. Sadly once again when you learn a couple of new things in Photoshop it reveals that there are another 25 things you didn't know that you didn't know :-) Ah the journey continues!

[@peggyheard9981]

This is what I was looking for thank you for making this .

[@nightSkyacc]

still helps a LOT thanks!

[@eltinjones4542]

I always learn something new but rarely need to use it 😂👍

[@nickteoh5089]

Thank you for doing this super useful tutorial and sharing your skill, sir.

[@bobmcgraw]

Brilliant!! Thanks for this great technique!

[@ThangNguyen-ui8lq]

this is very helpful, thank you!

[@magdihassan3978]

Thanks a lot for your tutorials

[@toddwynia7491]

Awesome tutorial. Thank you!

[@Mirekklimas87]

Great video, I have been struggling with shadows for a while and this solves the problem👋

[@gemdistrict3501]

Nice shadow tutorial. I have been using the basic method to do shadows but will use this way in future as it looks far more realistic.

[@the_Kehindhe]

Mind Blown !!!

[@itsvernicekho]

this helped a lot, thank you!

[@Vidzette]

Great stuff!

[@ralphpayne6259]

Seen similar before but not using the drop shadow. Very effective method with extremely clear and, as usual, full instructions. Adjustment techniques for the shadow are really, really good. Thank you. (By the way, LR Summit 2022 is good and your Presets video was superb!!!)

[@photoshopcafe]

Thanks. And glad you liked my class. I have 2 more coming up :)

[@ralphpayne6259]

@@photoshopcafe 2 more h wonderful news!!👍🏻

[@WorkingTitles1]

Great technique. Thanks for sharing.

[@raggadubdubgaming]

Short, informative and very usefull. Thanks!

[@KcAustin901]

This was Godly!!! Thanks so much Brother

[@kellylaurenblackvideo]

Excellent tutorial!