How to Add a Realistic Drop Shadow in Photoshop

Photo drop shadow is a photo editing effect that makes a photo more realistic and believable. It makes a photo quite lively and attractive also. It enhances the quality of an image also. Some processes include adding a realistic drop shadow in a picture in photoshop.

 

Five simple Photoshop steps for creating a realistic drop shadow in Photoshop

We are trying here to explain the process as simple as possible. Here are the five steps of this editing task.

 

Step - 1

To begin, pick a picture from the available options. Then, you have to insert the image in photoshop. After that, you have to remove the present background of the selected image. After clearing the background, you have to create a similar layer. It helps to remain the actual Layer unharmed. You need to mark the basic Layer and press ctrl+J to make a shortcut to the similar Layer. You will get a copied layer down to the actual one.

 

Step-2

You'll need to head over to the Set Foreground Color button in the toolbar and then select "Black" from the color box. Thus, your copied version of the image will turn black. And you can incorporate it into your custom drop shadow effect in Photoshop.

 

Step-3

Now, your photo shadow creation will be started. You must draw the black part in and place it under your object. To use the transform tool, click and hold in its upper-middle area. And get it down to make the shadow effect. Then, you have to click on the copied Layer and drag it down to the main Layer to look like a drop shadow.

 

Step-4

Positioning the photo shadow effect is essential. To place it perfectly, you have to use the transform tool. If you get the correct position, press Enter or Return to get out of the transform tool. Next, you have to use motion blur and then apply Gaussian Blur. To use motion blur, you have to go to Fitler and then Blur, and then you have to select Motion Blur. Then, you have to fix the position and click OK to keep the changes. Next to it, you have to apply the Gaussian Blur, select Filter, and then the Blur menu on the top. At this moment, a window will pop up, and then you can change the image's viewing distance. 3 px is perfect for shadow smoothening.

 

Step-5

Adding a layer mask is also very necessary. You must click on Layer Mask from the layer panel and choose the Add Layer Mask option. Then, it would help if you used the brush tool to bring perfection, which is the ultimate step to add a realistic drop shadow effect. In the left-hand toolbar, you'll find a brush icon that you can use to polish things up. Select the tool and adjust the blur level from around 45% to 60%. Then you need to make the background black and improvise the brush size. Keep doing it until you get your desirable drop shadow.

 

The photo drop shadow has become very popular at present. The process is straightforward to use. If you have basic Photoshop, it will be much easier for you in any photo shadow creation and drop shadow that might seem realistic.