How to Use Light and Shadow to Create a Dramatic Photo Effect with Photoshop

Jul 4, 2011

—

Jarka Hrnčárková

Photo Manipulation

Step 23 – Color Adjustment

You’re going to change the colors so they’ll finally look like these on previous picture.

First add new adjustment layer Color Balance on the top of all layers and set it as you can see on the picture below.

To make the colors even colder add new adjustment layer Selective Color on the top of all layers and set it similarly as below.

Let’s compare how these two adjustments change the image.

Step 24 – Sharpening

One last thing should be done – sharpening.

Select the whole picture the way you’ve done it in the step with Motion Blur. Press Ctrl + A to select the whole picture. Then press Ctrl + Shift + C to copy it merged and Ctrl + V to paste it. Place it on the top of all layers and name it SHARPENING.

Go to Filter > Other > High Pass and set the value Radius to be able to see gently edges of the picture. In this case set Radius on 1 pixel.

To blend it properly with the rest of the picture change its Blending Mode from Normal to Overlay.

Final Results

Authors Comment

In this tutorial I wanted to show you how to blend easily more complicated materials such as glass to improve your manipulations and give you more possibilities what to do. You can follow more PS tricks on my blog “Pelleron-Art“. I would be happy to see you there!

– Jarka

9 responses to “How to Use Light and Shadow to Create a Dramatic Photo Effect with Photoshop”

Tashia

January 8, 2018

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I’ve read many tutorials about all of the tools you mentioned in this article, but I was never able to really grasp or truly understand the concept behind the tool. You have explained them in a way that really make sense to me!! And that is very much appreciated!

Reply
Anonymous

September 25, 2014

thanks a lot

Reply
h2theme

May 12, 2014

thanks very nice.

Reply
Ernest

March 20, 2014

Woow! I am very very impressed about your tutorial. With all your stuffs, i have no doubt am gonna be a pro in photoshop!

Reply
Nidheesh Roy T.A

July 18, 2013

thats a wonderfull tutorial….thank u….

Reply
chanaka

December 21, 2012

thanks wow nice

Reply
eddi

December 15, 2012

plz post a video tutorial….

Reply
Ferobanjo

December 9, 2012

Yes girl, nice job. Thanx

Reply
CS6 novice

November 22, 2012

What a fantastic tutorial, covering so many aspects of photoshop. I’m now even more excited to learn the program. . Thank you! thank you! thank you!

Reply