How to Make Realistic Shadows in Photoshop Using Drop Shadow

In this tutorial I show you how to easily create realistic shadows using the drop shadow function in Photoshop.

For this tutorial, you’ll need a basic understanding of Photoshop Classic, including how to use layers and perspective warp.

Tips and Tricks for Creating Realistic Shadows in Photoshop With the Drop Shadow Function

  • Use a larger distance for objects further from the surface, and a smaller distance for objects closer to the surface
  • Size = diffusion. Larger size equals softer light or object further from the surface, and smaller size equals harsher light or object closer to its surface
  • Play around with layer opacity or use a curves adjustment layer to make sure the blacks match your image

You can read more about my photoshop mentoring here, my recent accomplishments and achievements here, and see some of my creative work here.