Shadow in Photoshop

Click the ball to go to Simon to get the ball file.

If you copy an object and paste it into a new background it will often look "fake". Creating the effect of shadow is important to make an object look like it "belongs" in a picture. This quick easy tutorial shows how to create a "drop shadow".

1. Save the file "Ball" to your computer and open it in Photoshop
2. Use one of the selection tools to select the ball from the background
3. Open a new layer and place the ball in that new layer. (It will have a clear background in the new layer.

4. Fill the background layer with white. (If you have your colours set to default [Press "D"], you can change a layer to all white by pressing "Control and Delete")

5. Add a new layer between the other two layers

7. Use the Transform tool to "stretch" your brush stroke either side of the ball. ( Edit - Transform - Scale).

8. The next step is to alter the "opacity" of your shadow layer to make the shadow look realistic. You can move your shadow to make the ball look like it is hovering or on the ground. You can also move it left or right to suit the direction of your light source.