How To Make Realistic Shadows in Photoshop

Learn this Super-Simple way to create highly-realistic shadows in Photoshop!
By having realistic natural shadows in your composite, your subject will fit better within the scene make the entire image more cohesive.
Three of the most difficult things to get right when creating shadows are color, perspective, and shape. In this video, I'm going to show how to get all these right to create realistic shadows in Photoshop!
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📘 INDEX - How To Make Realistic Shadows in Photoshop
00:45 - How others create a shadow
01:50 - The Problem with common techniques
03:28 - Shadow color
04:50 - Match Shadow Perspective
05:45 - Use Puppet Warp to distort the shadow
07:16 - Blur the Shadow
07:40 - Add a contact shadow
09:15 - Use the Gradient Tool to fade the shadow.
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CREDITS
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● Photoshop video tutorials by Jesus Ramirez
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[@Torrboar]

Working as a professional designer for 10 years, you videos are still super inspiring and helpful every single time!

[@adeemmohammed7908]

You been working for 10 years and you still don’t know this 😑

[@_ozark5969]

@@adeemmohammed7908 leave him be

[@adeemmohammed7908]

@@_ozark5969 why did you even respond it has been 2 months

[@_ozark5969]

@@adeemmohammed7908 I didn't see it until 2 months later. Understand?

[@adeemmohammed7908]

@@_ozark5969 yeah but damn like you didn’t had to reply

[@jb7136]

I'm new to Photoshop & I really appreciate your videos. I also appreciate the people who take the time to comment. I think we can all learn a lot from each other. Thanks to you and everybody else for inspiring me & holding my hand as my skills grow.

[@dunnymonster]

Only thing I would add is to make the shadow a smart object first, then apply a bit more Gaussian blur. Then in the layer mask use the gradient to make the blur reduce as it gets closer to the subjects feet so it's gradually more blurry as the shadow falls away. 😉

[@kouyopoto]

Nice technique thanks

[@rightalex7]

Agreed, how he miss that important feature

[@DonicaCampbell]

He did that in another video

[@gregwoolliscroft6255]

@@rightalex7 They all leave important bits out of the tutorials......its so annoying...

[@etiennenaude2649]

You can also use "Iris blur" as an alternative to the gradient tool.

[@jennhoff03]

I've been using Photoshop professionally for 15 years, and I never knew you could make your own pins on puppet warp! Holy smokes, this is going to come in handy all the time! Thank you!

[@KrunoslavStifter]

Thanks for the tutorial, but I would like to see shadow that is useful for composting. Multiple shadows interacting with each other from various objects, displacement of shadows as it goes over various objects, and going from floor to the wall etc. We need more advance realistic usage.

[@raheelahsan]

I believe the blur has to be gradual also, sharper near the person, blurrier as it goes away from it. May be tiltshift blur is a better option to use

[@supergolfdude]

This is great, Jesús! I never think of the puppet warp, but I will certainly use this now.

[@syedamunawarfatima6989]

Amazing...Learnt many things today: Layer mask, Blur filter, Puppet wrap and contact shadow...Thank you

[@wesleynaleagaca5703]

Mr. Ramirez...Best Ps channel on youtube. Learned a lot with you. Thank you very much.

[@shevaandelpitiya366]

I don't know what i'd do without your help!!!

[@PhaedrusD]

I like the tip on using Puppet Warp to fix the alignment issues!

[@flaviasignori3586]

You're such a great teacher! This tutorial is really helpful and I'll be able to make better shadows for my food pics. Thank you and keep up with the good work!

[@blz.415]

Dude you are the best, I am so glad I came across your channel because I am new to Photoshop and I also subbed

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

Thank you, Blazecraft!

[@4547466]

I'm not the only one that says "Hi welcome back to the photoshop training channel, Im Jesús Ramirez" every time I watch a new ptc video am I?

[@ruivam]

I think you are 😄

[@tubeondahriver]

You're so informed, and I'd be thrilled if you slowed down and showed us step by step what you're actually selecting. I think to illustrate the typical guidance of tutorials you already had selections for layers, and I personally could not figure out where things were on the tools navigation ... I'm already lost, 2:30 in....

[@heruwongso6456]

Try blur galeri instead of gaussian blur. Use tilt shift option and it will result more realistic transition from sharp in contact to the shoes to little bit blurry shadow in the below shadow area which means more far from the ground 😀

[@a-muse6567]

I learned a few new tricks in watching this video, thank you!

[@fernandofaixa]

Dude, when it's you, I like before I watch it. And I am never wrong.

[@phattaxman]

I have seen this method taught by others -- always thought it didn't look natural. I have recently been using Photoshop's 3D workspace to create more realistic shadows, which I saw in a tutorial from you some time back, maybe a year ago.

[@Vor1954]

Thank you for a wonderful tutorial. The tilt-shift blur was recommend by Rocadamus below, so it could be another tutorial from you in the future.

[@johngrey5806]

I learned a bunch of useful hotkeys. Thanks!

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

You're welcome, John!

[@RussellMWebb]

Most excellent school coming from keys of a person who didn't like schools. Thank you!

[@RayGuselli]

Brilliant Jesus....one of your best and easiest tutorials to follow but one one the most helpful - thank you very much. Often adding shadows...now I can do it correctly!!!!

[@brianmoriarty4699]

i APPRECIATE HOW THOROUGH AND EASY TO FOLLOW YOUR TUTORIALS ARE. THANK YOU.

[@BillFurlong]

This helped with some shadows I had to add to a composite. Thanks so much!

[@garypeterson555]

Thank you so much for this. I don't know what I would do without you.

[@cordellvandermerwe536]

Thank you for the tilta key shortcut that transfers brush to eraser as well as the cmd + new layer icon shortcut to create a new layer under current. Will be useful!

[@shariqahmedshamsi]

Wow, this is so much better. I am not a pro but watching you and a lot of practice will surely be the way. Thanks a lot for making these videos.

[@jayneekinsd]

Thank you! I also learn so many tips and tricks from you!

[@sabuck0]

Thanks! I really enjoy your no nonsense instructional videos! Very helpful!

[@The_f4lc0n]

Thank you Soo much. This video helped me a lot because I wasn't able to make shadows on PicsArt android version

[@WeeSleeket]

Thank you, Jesús! I learn something new from you all the time.

[@susancoppola6530]

Your PS tutorials rock! Thank you.

[@davidwahl5549]

Just learned about Puppet Warp today, thanks!

[@angelpetrov]

The best shadows-methods I've ever seen. Bravo Jesus

[@kyakya111]

I always look into your channel whenever I have difficulties in Photoshop. Thank you very much!

[@wmutoob]

Interesting - thanks! I can imagine applying this to an image of 2 or 3 randomly placed flowers laying on a surface or some flower petals to get an interesting pattern. Perhaps an image of several tightly cropped, randomly placed, face-only shots of someone or of all members of a family would also make an interesting pattern. There should be no reason why all layers have to be a pattern of the same original image - my two previous ideas may be better with each flower or each face on it's own layer until the pattern is filled - seems like a fun technique limited only by imagination.

[@birpalsingh5078]

Really lovely tutorial . Thats so accurate and professional. I just got my pc and started using photoshop,but the way you explain and tell shortcut keys all along is a big help for a beginner like me. Thank you for making this tutorial,by help of your videos i will soon learn to do decent editing Thank you once again.☺☺☺☺☺

[@Chinmayeesvlogs]

Awesoem vid! I used just use the brush tool always to create the shadows and never know about unlinking the layers. Thank you so much.🙏. Please make vid on blending objects on the face if possible.

[@charlesdup6803]

Thank you Jesus, as always you provided me with the help that I need! Keep them coming!

[@moniruzzamanmonir5644]

best! best! best!.............................Best helpful, effective, sincear, unselfish, real tutorial.Thank you for your hard industry for all without any benifit thinking.

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

You're welcome!

[@elisandrasaldana331]

thank you! color in shadow, contact shadow and the use of gradient on shadow, what wonderful tips!

[@Aspiremp]

Thank you!! One of the better ones I've seen lately :). Very helpful!

[@AsyLumb]

Thanks, this is great, such a simple thing but makes a world of difference.

[@thestudio2015]

Another superb tutorial. I learned something new with the eraser shortcut!

[@kalpanapatel2387]

Thanks man this tricks have helped me a lot in freelancing.

[@tarif7541]

indians 😂

[@ronny.f]

Nice. The warp tool is a precious hint.

[@Bloodfireclothing]

THIS HELPED ME SO MUCH. THANKS!

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

You're welcome!

[@bala1000mina]

Thank you so much Jesus! As always informative and very useful! God bless and good luck man!

[@LamaThubten]

Great tutorial. Thank you. 👏

[@RanMilstein]

this was awesome, thanks!

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

You're welcome, Ran!

[@subinks466]

Great idea I think add a little bit blur effect

[@abstraqtwerbung]

Great Tutorial to finally get nice shadows. Thanks!

[@sagrenreddy]

Great tutorial. I convert the main shadow to a smat object and then usea blur effect. I then use a mask on that layer to vary the blur as the shadow moves further away. I also use the mask on the main layer, as you have.

[@abdouwaduka8455]

Awesome. I have been having problems with this. Thanks

[@wasimsuperb]

Wonderful work for us to learn

[@endosuanda2183]

Thank you for such a great tutorial. I will have to practice this technic for several times.

[@KaRaTeJI812]

Great tutorial) Thank you so much)

[@abrock6215]

Very thorough explanation of how to work with a ground shadow. Thank you.

[@LphWolf]

amazing tutorial.... i started to work with photoshop in 1992 it was the PS 2.54....

[@majodkajavs6977]

Hey buddy you just won a new sub, your videos are amazing

[@____Nw]

realy helpful for me!! thank you brooooo

[@garybaitson]

Pretty amazing work.. Everything looks so easy

[@bogiwalker5990]

Really helpful video! Thank you!

[@marinamelnikova5947]

Thank you very much indeed! I enjoyed this tutorial a lot. I have of course a wish to see continuation on how to create a shadow of someone who jumps, a shadow of someone who is falling into water to see the shadow on the water, and to create a shadow on steps, it is so much distorted and looks funny! So one thing is to catch such a shadow, which I am fond of, and another thing is to create a realistic shadow in Ps. Thanks a lot!

[@DJCENTIF1]

Another excellent training video. Thank you

[@tc8421]

Thank you , your video help me so much !

[@GibranLahud]

Thanks bro, that's helpful

[@MentosCubing]

I had never thought of using the puppet warp tool to match the shape of the shadow. That's really cool! The editing program I use doesn't have a puppet warp tool, but I think I could achieve a similar effect with a big enough Liquify brush. I think that this example's shadow could benefit from being a little softer at the bottom than the top, perhaps using a tilt-shift blur, but I could be wrong. The result looks very good nonetheless. Thanks for sharing!

[@jasonng3239]

lol the move trick is awesome!

[@carlsonreynardsunardi2081]

Finally i can create a shadow thank you

[@AnekaVisual]

Wow Thanks so much sir, now I am more understanding

[@AnOpticalView]

Some great tips here. Thank you.

[@isabellethomas2108]

This is another brilliant video tip for creating real composites! (I am trying to do composites with dogs so this is really helpful!). Can’t wait to watch your next video. So so so great!👏👏👏

[@ikarus19]

Thanks for this... One question/comment: It seems aligning the shadow to match perspective is only useful when the light source is obscured by the subject (directly behind and in line with the perspective grid) What do you suggest for accuracy when the source is at an angle that doesn't fall within the perspective plane with respect to the subject?

[@waltermullins8854]

I have the same issue with a composite image I'm working on...

[@irving-design5726]

Very awesome, thank you so much!

[@misamalirizvi1610]

1 suggestion..... As the shadow Distances from the subject.... The shadows should gradually blur....

[@kevingeorgiades4879]

If you make the shadow a smart object and blur that, you can mask/ fade the blur. Or even better is using the field blur. Just tried both and the field blur is way better.

[@Phatrinh87]

learned something new, the puppet warp. thank you Jesus

[@gursharanbhamra6018]

Awesome tutorial! Love the way you orate! :)

[@levios.creative]

imagine if we all had this video 5-6 years ago it'll solve and save us so much trouble

[@garyguest1999]

Great tutorial. Thank you. Only thing I would change is the shadow might be better if it was stretch out as vthe light source is low therefore it would stretch out the shadow. But thanks again learnt heaps.

[@anazivick303]

Very nice tutorial. I would only change one thing: adding a bit of directional horizontal blur to the shadow. In this context I think it would make sense, since the shadows in the original image have also that kind of ''movement'' to them.

[@donairechristianp]

Holy crap, I feel like an experienced photoshopper now 😂. This was helpful! THANK YOU!

[@xq9g505]

There is a lot of wrong abd unrealistic stuff in the shadows

[@youmnawael2649]

so helpful and easy super thanks 😍😍

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

You're welcome 😊

[@carlomarchi8611]

It could be much more realistic if you blur the shadow with tilt-shift since the shadow is not even along the shape...it should be harsh edged below the toes and less more on the head

[@PhotoshopTrainingChannel]

👍

[@suzannenaudin6562]

Really great instructions.

[@ZaydKS]

Thank You!

[@EditorBelal]

very helpful video, thanks

[@georgenavarrete8855]

That's pretty cool, great video.

[@kezelelma]

THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH

[@snakespeer2982]

Awesome video .....Thank you for sharing .

[@timoteiafanasie4894]

Very, very good tutorial, as usual.

[@vanrajrathod08]

Sir you did a great job. I learnt a lot from you, But humbly i suggest you that the actual shadow is going very less blur near the body and much blur as far as goes. I think we can fix it with creating multiple blur layer and masking with gradient for each. Thank you sir.

[@ogadrian]

You saves me in my finals

[@krisbudiyantoh6400]

Thank you 😁

[@johnpragashjohnsingam2159]

Amazing! Thank you so much!

[@MrChillywilli]

Great job, you are doing excellent job...

[@RobiulIslam-ix7ox]

Very helpful. Thank you sir.

[@abirabir7264]

Khub valo laglo dada

[@paulburwood8231]

excellent tutorial as always.