Adding a person realistically to a background…i.e. adding a cast shadow.

 

Now that you know how to extract a person, let’s look at some techniques to make a convincing photo manipulation.

 

Here is a good tutorial...with pictures and for the a later version of PS...also better than the one further below:

Cast Shadow Tutorial

 

Instructions for PSE2 (later or other versions of PS may vary):

 

1. Create a document to match your needs (i.e. 8x10.5).
2. Open the image that will serve as a background image…drag the background layer to the new document composite.
3. Use the Edit/Transform menu option.
   1. Drag the corners and distort the page to make it appear as if it’s titled in space as shown.
   2. Fill the background with white. Drag the image to be added to the background.
   3. Resize and position the model so that it looks like they are realistically in the right place.
4. Now to tie the two images together with a cast shadow.
   1. Duplicate the model layer, but leave the duplicate layer alone and return to Layer 2 to apply the shadow.
   2. Make a selection of the image

                                                               i.      Use the Magic Wand

                                                             ii.      Click the outside of the image and then inverse the selection

3. Fill the selection black (Menu: Edit/Fill)
4. Use the Transform/Distort option to match the image’s cast shadow to the angle of the background.
4. A real shadow is soft and fades the further it gets from the subject.
   1. Go to Filter/Blur/Gaussian Blur. Be sure to use the nested menu option, not the “Most Recent Filter”. Set the blur to 5.
   2. Set the layer opacity to 63%.
   3. Fade the shadow so that it loses intensity the further it gets from the model.

                               i.      Add a layer mask

                                                              ii.      Choose the Gradient tool and select the default colors (press the D key once the gradient tool is selected).

                                                             ii.      Use the foreground to background linear gradient.

                                                            iii.      Drag the gradient from the middle of the shadow and upwards until you are about an inch off the top. You should get a nice realistic shadow. If not, undo, and try again.

                                                           iv.      You may need to reduce the opacity on your shadow layer to suit your tastes and your background.

 

 

Home