How to Create Realistic Shadows in Photoshop

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Run Photoshop.

   For the purposes of this tutorial choose a normal Web preset, 640x480 pixels. , Pick a mild grey for the foreground and a lighter shade of grey (almost white) for the background.
   
   Turn on the Gradient tool.
   
   Check the Gradient tool's settings.
   
   Set it to "Foreground to Background" and Linear Gradient. , Let go once you reach the top of the document. , Activate the marquee tool and select the lower half of the page. , After doing this, deselect.
   
   Now let's add some shine. , It's always good to work in layers so you can always go back to make edits. , Set your foreground color to white, and the Gradient tool must be in "Foreground to Transparent" and Radial mode. , Release when you reach the middle. , This is for another shine, this time at the bottom. ,,,,, The image will appear as another layer. ,,, When you're finished, click OK. , Do this by dragging it down in the Layers pane. , To do this, right click on the Drop Shadow effect in the Layers pane and select Create Layer in the context menu that appears.
   
   Press OK on the warning message that appears.
   
   There should now be a layer aptly called Drop Shadow added to your project. , Drag it so the shadow sits at the bottom of the image.
   
   Apply the transformation by pressing Ctrl+Enter. ,,
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   Step 2: Create a new file.

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   Step 3: Create a gradient effect.

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   Step 4: Start at the bottom of the image

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   Step 5: dragging the Gradient tool upward.

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   Step 6: Create a horizon.

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   Step 7: Go back to the Gradient tool

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   Step 8: this time dragging it from top to bottom of the area selected by the Marquee tool.

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   Step 9: Create a new layer and name it "Shine."

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    Step 10: Select the Gradient tool.

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    Step 11: Click from the top of the page and drag downward.

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    Step 12: Make a new layer again and name it "Shine bottom."

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    Step 13: Select the Gradient tool and make its settings the same as the previous shine layer.

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    Step 14: Drag the tool starting from the bottom of the page going up

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    Step 15: and stop once your cursor reaches the middle of the page.

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    Step 16: Open the image file you want to work on.

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    Step 17: Select and copy it.

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    Step 18: Paste it on the project where you put the Shine layers.

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    Step 19: Resize the image accordingly and place it in the location you want it to be.

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    Step 20: Right click on the image layer

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    Step 21: choose Blending Options on the menu

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    Step 22: and select Drop Shadow.

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    Step 23: Set the Drop Shadow according to your needs.

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    Step 24: Place the image below the two shine layers.

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    Step 25: Detach the Drop Shadow effect from the image layer.

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    Step 26: Click on the Drop Shadow layer and Distort it via Edit>Transform>Distort.

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    Step 27: Move the shadow until you have it where you want it to be.

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    Step 28: Make the shadow appear stronger (or weaker) by adjusting the layer's opacity.

Detailed Guide

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