{"id":3460,"date":"2023-08-13T13:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-13T12:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pathedits.com\/blog\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow\/"},"modified":"2024-12-04T11:42:26","modified_gmt":"2024-12-04T11:42:26","slug":"photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pathedits.com\/blogs\/tips\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow","title":{"rendered":"How to Add a Shadow in Photoshop for Product Photos"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Realistic shadows around objects make product photographs look professional and believable. However, you may not have the ability to create photographs in the right settings, or with the correct lighting to achieve the shadows you need.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>With patience and finesse, you can add natural-looking <a href=\"https:\/\/pathedits.com\/pages\/drop-shadow\">drop shadows<\/a> in Photoshop to your product photos. This <a href=\"https:\/\/pathedits.com\/blogs\/tips\/how-long-does-it-take-to-edit-product-photos\">photo editing process takes time<\/a>, skill, and an understanding of how shadows work.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>To learn how to add a shadow in Photoshop to your product photos, watch the video below\u2014and then scroll down to follow along via written tutorial.<\/p>\n\n\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QdGs3_LuALo\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How shadows work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you begin to draw or create your shadow in Photoshop, it\u2019s helpful to understand how shadows work. Objects have two types of shadows:<\/p>\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n<li>\n<strong>Cast shadows<\/strong> are shadows around an object that appear on the floor or on other objects around the object.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<strong>Form shadows<\/strong> are shadows that appear within the object itself.<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<img data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pathedits.com\/Images\/posts\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow\/white-mug-form-cast-shadows.jpg\" class=\"Sirv\" alt=\"White mug on surface showing form and cast shadows with labeled arrows.\">\n\n\n<p>Both types of shadows are determined by the direction of, distance from, and number of light sources. You can use form shadows on your object to see how a realistic cast shadow might appear. Cast shadows become lighter and blurrier as they get further from the object.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>In this <a href=\"https:\/\/pathedits.com\/blogs\/tips\/16-photoshop-tutorials-for-product-photography-the-ultimate-list\">Photoshop tutorial<\/a>, you\u2019ll learn how to add a natural shadow in Photoshop using a combination of the <strong>Drop Shadow Layer Style<\/strong>, transform tools, the gradient tool, blurs, layer masks, and alpha channels.<\/p>\n\n\n    <div class=\"insert-cta light\">\n        <div class=\"grid\">\n            <div class=\"grid__item\">\n                A Beginner\u2019s Guide to Photoshop Tools            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"grid__item action\">\n                <div class=\"btn-arrow btn-arrow-purple\">\n                    <a class=\"btn-path btn-path-blue\" href=\"https:\/\/pathedits.com\/blogs\/tips\/beginners-guide-photoshop-tools\">Learn more<\/a>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The difference between a drop shadow and a cast shadow<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Creating a realistic shadow is a much more complicated and rewarding process than just applying a drop shadow to an object. Drop shadows by themselves are roughly the same size and dimension as the object. Rarely in real life would you encounter a shadow that looks just like an unmodified drop shadow. Adjusting your shadow into a three-dimensional cast shadow using the method described in this tutorial is essential to making your shadow look natural.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n    <div class=\"insert-cta light\">\n        <div class=\"grid\">\n            <div class=\"grid__item\">\n                Check out this Photoshop tutorial on how to add a reflection shadow to your product photos            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"grid__item action\">\n                <div class=\"btn-arrow btn-arrow-purple\">\n                    <a class=\"btn-path btn-path-blue\" href=\"https:\/\/pathedits.com\/blogs\/tips\/how-reflections-are-made-in-photoshop-for-various-media\">Learn more<\/a>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tutorial: How to add a natural shadow in Photoshop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QdGs3_LuALo\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n<li><a href=\"#1\">Isolate your object from the background<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#2\">Create a new background behind your isolated object<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#3\">Determine your cast shadow color<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#4\">Create a drop shadow<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#5\">Create a layer from your drop shadow<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#6\">Distort the drop shadow<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#7\">Create an alpha channel<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#8\">Create a gradient within your alpha channel<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#9\">Blur selection<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#10\">Create a layer mask<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\n<a href=\"#11\">Consider light source and clean up shadows<\/a><a href=\"#1\"><br><\/a>\n<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Isolate your product from the background<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Open the photo you plan to modify. Once you\u2019re in the new file, open your Layers panel by going to <strong>Window<\/strong> &gt; <strong>Layers<\/strong>. Select the object in your photo.<\/p>\n\n\n<img class=\"Sirv\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pathedits.com\/Images\/posts\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow\/red-bicycle-clipping-path-outline.jpg\" alt=\"Red bicycle with dotted outline selection highlighting parts for clipping path editing\">\n\n\n<p>Copy your selection and paste it into a new layer. Doing this will allow you to work with your product image without destroying the original photo.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Give your new layer a name that indicates the <a href=\"https:\/\/pathedits.com\/blogs\/tips\/magic-wand-tool-select-mask-photoshop\">background has been removed<\/a> (or \u201cisolated\u201d) to avoid confusion with other layers as you create your shadows.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Click on the eye icon next to your <em>Background<\/em> layer to make the background invisible. This way, you\u2019ll only be able to see your <a href=\"https:\/\/pathedits.com\/blogs\/tips\/how-create-transparent-background-photoshop\">object against a transparent background<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<img class=\"Sirv\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pathedits.com\/Images\/posts\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow\/isolated-red-bicycle-transparent-background.jpg\" alt=\"Red bicycle isolated on a transparent background with Photoshop layers panel showing background toggled off\">\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Create a new background behind your product<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In your Layers panel, select your hidden background layer. Go to <strong>Layer<\/strong> &gt; <strong>New<\/strong> <strong>Fill<\/strong> <strong>Layer<\/strong> &gt; <strong>Solid Color\u2026<\/strong>. A dialog box will appear asking you to name the new layer. Let\u2019s call it \u201csolid white.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<img data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pathedits.com\/Images\/posts\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow\/new-layer-solid-white-background-photoshop.png\" class=\"Sirv\" alt=\"Photoshop dialog box for creating a new layer named Solid White with default settings\">\n\n\n<p>Click <strong>OK<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Now the Color Picker window will appear on your screen. Move your cursor all the way to the upper left-hand corner of the color field to select white. Or, in the hexadecimal color value at the bottom of the dialog box (next to the # symbol), type \u201cffffff.\u201d This will give you a pure white color.<\/p>\n\n\n<img data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pathedits.com\/Images\/posts\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow\/photoshop-color-picker-white-selection.png\" class=\"Sirv\" alt=\"Photoshop Color Picker with hex code ffffff selected for pure white.\">\n\n\n<p>Click <strong>OK<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>You should have a layer of white covering your entire image.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>In your Layers panel, grab your new white Fill layer and drag it underneath your \u201cisolated\u201d layer.<\/p>\n\n\n<img data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pathedits.com\/Images\/posts\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow\/photoshop-solid-white-background-layer-bicycle.png\" class=\"Sirv\" alt=\"Photoshop layers panel with solid white background applied to red bicycle image.\">\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3.\u00a0Determine your cast shadow color<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Shadows have color, and you can look at form shadows on your object to determine what the color of your cast shadow should be.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Find a form shadow within your object, and use your Eyedropper Tool to select that shadow.<\/p>\n\n\n<img data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pathedits.com\/Images\/posts\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow\/photoshop-eyedropper-tool-bicycle-color-selection.png\" class=\"Sirv\" alt=\"Photoshop toolbar with Eyedropper Tool selected for color sampling on red bicycle handle\">\n\n\n<p>The selected color will appear as your foreground color at the bottom of your Toolbar. Double click on the new foreground color to bring up the Color Picker adjustment dialog box.<\/p>\n\n\n<img data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pathedits.com\/Images\/posts\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow\/photoshop-foreground-color-selection-eyedropper.png\" class=\"Sirv\" alt=\"Photoshop color picker showing selected red shade from bicycle handle as foreground color.\">\n\n\n<p>Adjust your selected color to be a bit darker and less saturated by moving the selection down and to the left of the color field. Click <strong>OK<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4.\u00a0Create a drop shadow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With your isolated object layer selected, click on the <em><strong>fx<\/strong><\/em> button at the bottom of your layers panel and select <strong>Drop Shadow<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<img class=\"Sirv\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pathedits.com\/Images\/posts\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow\/photoshop-layer-drop-shadow-effect.jpg\" alt=\"Photoshop layer style menu with drop shadow option selected for isolated bicycle layer.\">\n\n\n<p>The Drop Shadow dialog box will pop up. Create a drop shadow by setting your shadow color to your foreground color. Don\u2019t worry about the opacity, distance, spread, and size levels yet\u2014you can adjust all of that later\u2014but you can use the values in the screenshot below as a starting point.<\/p>\n\n\n<img data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pathedits.com\/Images\/posts\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow\/photoshop-layer-style-drop-shadow-settings.jpg\" class=\"Sirv\" alt=\"Photoshop layer style panel showing drop shadow settings with opacity, angle, and distance adjustments\">\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019re satisfied with your Drop Shadow settings, click <strong>OK<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Create a layer from your drop shadow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Go to <strong>Layer<\/strong> &gt; <strong>Layer Style<\/strong> &gt; <strong>Create Layer<\/strong> to separate your drop shadow from its layer. This will allow you to modify the shadow independent of the object. A warning dialog box might pop up when you go to create the layer; if that\u2019s the case, just click <strong>OK<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<img class=\"Sirv\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pathedits.com\/Images\/posts\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow\/photoshop-access-layer-style-options.jpg\" alt=\"Photoshop Layer menu open with Layer Style and Drop Shadow options highlighted\">\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6.\u00a0Distort the drop shadow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In your Layers panel, select the newly created drop shadow layer.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Go to <strong>Edit<\/strong> &gt; <strong>Transform<\/strong> &gt; <strong>Distort<\/strong> to pull your drop shadow down to the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n<img class=\"Sirv\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pathedits.com\/Images\/posts\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow\/photoshop-transform-distort-options.jpg\" alt=\"Photoshop Edit menu open with Transform and Distort options highlighted.\">\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<p>Artistic knowledge comes in handy here\u2014consider where the form shadows are on your object to determine which direction the cast shadow should fall naturally, and think about the vanishing point of your image to determine just how far you should distort the shadow.<\/p>\n\n\n<img class=\"Sirv\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pathedits.com\/Images\/posts\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow\/photoshop-bicycle-distorted-drop-shadow.jpg\" alt=\"Red bicycle in Photoshop with distorted drop shadow effect applied\">\n\n\n    <div class=\"insert-cta light\">\n        <div class=\"grid\">\n            <div class=\"grid__item\">\n                Learn how to make someone smile in Photoshop            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"grid__item action\">\n                <div class=\"btn-arrow btn-arrow-purple\">\n                    <a class=\"btn-path btn-path-blue\" href=\"https:\/\/pathedits.com\/blogs\/tips\/how-to-make-someone-smile-in-photoshop\">Learn more<\/a>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7.\u00a0Create an alpha channel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Our shadow is starting to look realistic, but remember that in real life, shadows become blurrier and lighter the further they get from the object. Using an alpha channel is an easy way to control the areas of the shadow that need to blur and lighten.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>To create an alpha channel, go to <strong>Window<\/strong> &gt; <strong>Channels<\/strong> to open your Channels Panel. Click on the <strong>Panel<\/strong> menu to select <strong>New<\/strong> <strong>Channel<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<img class=\"Sirv\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pathedits.com\/Images\/posts\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow\/photoshop-bicycle-layer-mask-drop-shadow.jpg\" alt=\"Red bicycle in Photoshop with layer mask applied to drop shadow layer.\">\n\n\n<p>A New Channel dialog box will pop up. You can keep the name as its default, Alpha 1. Under Color Indicates, make sure the <strong>Selected Areas<\/strong> radio button is chosen.<\/p>\n\n\n<img data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pathedits.com\/Images\/posts\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow\/photoshop-new-alpha-channel-selected-areas.png\" class=\"Sirv\" alt=\"Photoshop new channel dialog box with 'Alpha 1' for selected areas at 50% opacity.\">\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8.\u00a0Create a gradient within your alpha channel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In your <strong>Channels Panel<\/strong>, select your new Alpha 1 channel just as you would select a layer. Make sure the visibility (eye icon to the left of the channel name) is toggled on for all channels.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Select the <strong>Gradient Tool<\/strong> from the <strong>Toolbar<\/strong>. At the bottom of the Toolbar, make sure the foreground is set to black and the <a href=\"https:\/\/pathedits.com\/blogs\/tips\/9-alternatives-to-white-background-product-photography\">background is set to white<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>In the <strong>Options Bar<\/strong> at the top of your application window, make sure the gradient is set to black-to-white, and the gradient type is linear.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Once your gradient settings are correct, set your cursor at the furthest point of your shadow (or beyond) and draw the gradient toward the part of the shadow that\u2019s closest to the object.<\/p>\n\n\n<img data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pathedits.com\/Images\/posts\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow\/photoshop-alpha-channel-gradient-bicycle.png\" class=\"Sirv\" alt=\"Photoshop interface showing Alpha channel selection and gradient tool applied to a red bicycle layer\">\n\n\n<p>The selection will be visible as a red gradient overlaying your image.<\/p>\n\n\n<img class=\"Sirv\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pathedits.com\/Images\/posts\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow\/red-overlay-alpha-channel-bicycle.jpg\" alt=\"Bicycle image with red overlay applied through Alpha channel in Photoshop interface\">\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9.\u00a0Blur selection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019ve created your gradient in your alpha channel, you\u2019ll see a red gradient on top of your image, indicating how the mask within the channel interacts with your image. You can toggle the eye icon next to Alpha 1 to make the red gradient invisible so it\u2019s not distracting.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Click on the top channel in your Channels panel (either RGB or CMYK, depending on your image\u2019s color mode) to select your color channels and deselect your alpha channel.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Go to your Layers panel to make sure you still have your drop shadow layer selected.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Go to <strong>Filter<\/strong> &gt; <strong>Blur<\/strong> &gt; <strong>Lens<\/strong> <strong>Blur<\/strong>. A dialog box will show up giving you significant controls over your blur.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Make sure the box next to <strong>Preview<\/strong> is checked. Under <strong>Depth Map<\/strong>, select Alpha 1 from the <strong>Source<\/strong> dropdown menu.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Keep the <strong>Blur Focal Distance<\/strong> at 0, and check the box next to <strong>Invert<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Slide the <strong>Radius<\/strong> to a high number (in this example, it\u2019s set to 72). Leave all other values at their defaults. Click <strong>OK<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<img class=\"Sirv\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pathedits.com\/Images\/posts\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow\/lens-blur-alpha-channel-bicycle-shadow.jpg\" alt=\"Lens blur effect applied to bicycle shadow using Alpha channel in Photoshop with preview, invert, and radius settings\">\n\n\n    <div class=\"insert-cta light\">\n        <div class=\"grid\">\n            <div class=\"grid__item\">\n                Learn how to swap faces in this Photoshop tutorial            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"grid__item action\">\n                <div class=\"btn-arrow btn-arrow-purple\">\n                    <a class=\"btn-path btn-path-blue\" href=\"https:\/\/pathedits.com\/blogs\/tips\/photoshop-image-swap-blend-technique-10-easy-steps\">Learn more<\/a>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10. Create a layer mask<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Go to <strong>Select<\/strong> &gt; <strong>Load<\/strong> <strong>Selection<\/strong>. Choose Alpha 1 from the <strong>Channel<\/strong> dropdown options and make sure the radio button next to <strong>New<\/strong> <strong>Selection<\/strong> is checked.<\/p>\n\n\n<img data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pathedits.com\/Images\/posts\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow\/load-alpha-channel-selection-photoshop.png\" class=\"Sirv\" alt=\"Load Selection dialog in Photoshop showing Alpha 1 channel selected for new selection operation.\">\n\n\n<p>Click <strong>OK<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Now you\u2019ll see a selection approximating the darkest areas of the gradient you created in your alpha channel.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Select inverse by going to <strong>Select<\/strong> &gt; <strong>Select<\/strong> <strong>Inverse<\/strong>, or by using the Photoshop keyboard shortcut for the action by typing <strong>SHIFT<\/strong> + <strong>CONTROL<\/strong> + <strong>I<\/strong> (<strong>SHIFT<\/strong> + <strong>COMMAND<\/strong> +<strong> I<\/strong> on a Mac).<\/p>\n\n\n<p>In your Layers panel, click on the Layer Mask icon at the bottom of the panel. When the mask is applied, the shadow will appear to \u201cfade\u201d as it recedes into the distance. Notice the thumbnail for the layer mask matches the thumbnail next to Alpha 1.<\/p>\n\n\n<img data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pathedits.com\/Images\/posts\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow\/create-new-channel-photoshop-bicycle.jpg\" class=\"Sirv\" alt=\"Photoshop Channels panel with options menu open, highlighting 'New Channel' selection for editing\">\n\n\n<p>You should see your shadow recede into the background as it gets \u201cfarther\u201d away from the object.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re looking for a subtler shadow, reduce the opacity of your Drop Shadow layer.<\/p>\n\n\n<img class=\"Sirv\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pathedits.com\/Images\/posts\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow\/adjust-opacity-fill-shadow-photoshop-bicycle.png\" alt=\"Photoshop Layers panel showing opacity at 40% and fill at 75% for bicycle shadow layer adjustment\">\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">11.\u00a0Consider light source and clean up shadows<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, make sure no portions of your shadow appear on the wrong side of your product or object. So, in the example in this tutorial, there should be no instances of the shadow that appear in front of the bicycle since the light source pushes the cast shadow behind it. Using the Eraser Tool, carefully remove shadows that don\u2019t belong.<\/p>\n\n\n<img class=\"Sirv\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pathedits.com\/Images\/posts\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow\/inal-red-bicycle-drop-shadow.jpg\" alt=\"Red bicycle on white background with subtle drop shadow effect applied\">\n\n\n    <div class=\"insert-cta light\">\n        <div class=\"grid\">\n            <div class=\"grid__item\">\n                Check out how to turn a product photo into a pencil sketch line drawing in Photoshop            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"grid__item action\">\n                <div class=\"btn-arrow btn-arrow-purple\">\n                    <a class=\"btn-path btn-path-blue\" href=\"https:\/\/pathedits.com\/blogs\/tips\/how-turn-photo-into-pencil-sketch-with-photoshop\">Learn more<\/a>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When to use a natural shadow in ecommerce<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many reasons and <a href=\"https:\/\/pathedits.com\/blogs\/tips\/step-into-the-light-6-ways-to-use-shadow-edits-to-get-better-product-photos\">ways to use drop shadows in product photos<\/a>. When you display a product against a white background, adding a natural shadow helps your product pop against the background and creates a more realistic, professional-looking photo.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Furniture in particular lends itself to the natural drop shadow technique, adding dimension and depth to your product photos without the technical lighting aspects that occur during the shoot. Here\u2019s an example from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.moodstore.co.nz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Mood Store<\/a>, where you can see natural shadows added to several images:<\/p>\n\n\n<img data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pathedits.com\/Images\/posts\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow\/minimalist-wooden-furniture-collection.png\" class=\"Sirv\" alt=\"Display of minimalist wooden furniture including beds, clothes racks, bedside table, and tallboy dresser\">\n\n\n<p>Famous Footwear does the same for its main product images, which are uniform in layout, background, and overall aesthetic.<\/p>\n\n\n<img data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.pathedits.com\/Images\/posts\/photoshop-tutorial-how-create-realistic-drop-shadow\/womens-nike-sneakers-dr-martens-boots.png\" class=\"Sirv\" alt=\"Selection of Nike sneakers and Dr. Martens Chelsea boots for women, showcasing styles and sale prices\">\n\n\n<p><a name=\"the\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Add natural shadows to bring your product photos to life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Adding natural shadows to each of your images in Photoshop is an important step to <a href=\"https:\/\/pathedits.com\/blogs\/tips\/5-ways-to-optimize-products-photos-for-ecommerce-success\">editing your product photos for the most sales<\/a>. But it\u2019s a time-consuming and detailed process\u2014if you don\u2019t have someone from your team dedicated to product photos, it can quickly become a distracting task.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>You can outsource your natural shadows, and all your drop shadows, to Path\u2014your virtual <a href=\"https:\/\/pathedits.com\/blogs\/tips\/what-is-photo-editing\">photo editing<\/a> studio ready for you 24\/7\u2014so you can spend time on the more important parts of business and life.<\/p>\n\n\n    <div class=\"insert-cta light\">\n        <div class=\"grid\">\n            <div class=\"grid__item\">\n                Step into the light and let us create shadows for you from 25\u00a2 per image            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"grid__item action\">\n                <div class=\"btn-arrow btn-arrow-purple\">\n                    <a class=\"btn-path btn-path-blue\" href=\"https:\/\/pathedits.com\/pages\/drop-shadow\"><span>Learn More<\/span><\/a>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to add a shadow in Photoshop FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do I add a shadow to an image in Photoshop?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n<li>Isolate your object from the background<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create a new background behind your isolated object<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Determine your cast shadow color<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create a drop shadow<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create a layer from your drop shadow<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Distort the drop shadow<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create an alpha channel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create a gradient within your alpha channel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Blur selection<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create a layer mask<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consider the light source and clean up shadows<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the easiest way to add a shadow in Photoshop?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The easiest way to add a shadow in Photoshop is to add a Drop Shadow effect to the layer containing your isolated object.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do you add a subtle shadow in Photoshop?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the easiest ways to create a very subtle shadow in Photoshop is to create a small, feathered ellipse of color under your object. This method works well for solid, simple shapes that you want to appear \u201cfloating\u201d in a white space with a shadow beneath them.<\/p>\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n<li>Create an ellipse under your object using the ellipse tool. Set the ellipse to be short and wide, about the same width as your object.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Feather the selection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fill the selection with 50% gray.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduce the opacity of your new shadow.<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is drop shadow in Photoshop?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Drop shadow is a layer effect you can apply to any layer in Photoshop by selecting the layer and choosing <strong>Layer<\/strong> &gt; <strong>Layer<\/strong> <strong>Style<\/strong> &gt; <strong>Drop Shadow\u2026<\/strong> from the menu at the top of the application window. While drop shadows can be manipulated into realistic-looking shadows, simple, unaltered drop shadows make the object look flat, as if it were a piece of paper casting a shadow on another piece of paper underneath.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Shadows in your ecommerce photos can help products jump off the page and into carts. And you only need Photoshop to do it\u2014no fancy or expensive lighting equipment required.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":8518,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[80,92,101,106],"class_list":["post-3460","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorised","tag-drop-shadow","tag-how-to","tag-photo-editing","tag-photoshop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Add a Shadow in Photoshop (Video Tutorial)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Check out this step-by-step article and video to learn how to add a natural shadow in Photoshop to your product photos.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, 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