A Beginner’s Guide on How to Add a Drop Shadow in Photoshop

Adding a drop shadow is a simple way to take your pictures to the next level. This design element can help your pictures stand out and look more professional. A drop shadow adds a touch of sophistication and helps your image stand out from the background and look more interesting.

What is a Drop Shadow?

A drop shadow is an effect that makes it look like something is casting a shadow. It is often used in graphic design and photography to give a picture more depth and dimension.

The drop shadow is made by making a copy of the original object, moving it slightly to the side, and blurring it to make it look like a shadow.

Drop shadows can be used to make an object look like it is floating above the background or to make it look like there is more depth to the picture. It is a very important tool for photographers and designers who want to give an image a sense of depth.

Why should you use a drop shadow effect with your photos?

Not every company has the budget to take photos on a white backdrop. Sometimes they only have the products and can shoot them outside or somewhere that the background is busy. Removing the background and adding a drop shadow can give your images a high-quality studio feel without needing a studio. Drop shadows can also help to:

• Enhances Depth Perception:

By adding a drop shadow to an image, you can make it look like the object is floating above the background. This makes the composition look better and have more movement.

• Improves Legibility:

Drop shadows can also be used to make text or other parts of an image easier to read. By adding a shadow to the back of the text, you can make it stand out from the background and make it easier to read.

• Increases Visual Interest:

Drop shadows can make an image more interesting by giving it a subtle but eye-catching 3D effect. This can help the viewer focus on a certain part of the picture and make the picture look more professional.

• Adds a Sense of Dimensionality:

Drop shadows can give an image a sense of depth by making it look like it has depth. This makes the image look more real and helps make the viewing experience more interesting and immersive.

When to use a Drop Shadow Effect to eCommerce Images

A drop shadow can give a product a more professional look and make it look like it has more depth. You should work with an editing company like ours to improve your eCommerce images. 

We know how to add a drop shadow in Photoshop perfectly to ensure your images stand out. With our knowledge, you can be sure that your product images will have the perfect drop shadow to make them stand out and increase sales. You can learn more about our drop shadow services here!

Some other reasons it’s good to add a drop shadow effect to your images are

• To provide a more polished look

A drop shadow can make a flat image pop and look much more professional. 

• To improve the contrast between elements

If your product and the background are similar in color, you can use a drop shadow to separate the subject.

• To create a visual hierarchy of design elements

Hierarchy is important to help the viewer focus on the intended subjects. You can add a drop shadow to aspects of the image to have their attention drawn to it. 

• To add a sense of movement to objects

Lighting is a dynamic element that can help create movement throughout your image. Adding different angles and blurs to the shadow can create an intended feeling through the movement.

Tutorial: How to add a Drop Shadow in Photoshop

Step 1. Open your photo in Photoshop

Go to “File” and select the intended image. 

Step 2. Select the subject

Once your file has been opened, select the subject. You can do this by clicking Select > Subject.

Step 3. Create a layer mask

Select the mask button, so your image shows up red. This is located on your toolbar. 

Step 4. Remove unnecessary objects

Clean up the selection. Click the brush tool (B) with a completely black brush, and brush around the subject’s edges. If you need to add more to the selection, use a completely white brush. Make sure anything you want to be removed from the image is completely red, like the image below.

It should look like this when you are complete. Just select the subject of the photo.

Step 5. Apply your mask selection

Reselect the mask tool, so the red disappears, leaving you with a line surrounding your subject.

Step 6. Create a layer mask

Click the mask tool at the bottom of your layers section.

Step 7. Apply the layer mask

When you are happy with your subject, apply the mask to the image. Do this by right-clicking the layer mask and selecting “apply layer mask”.

This will leave you with a transparent layer with only your subject. You can learn more about our background removal services here. 

Step 8. Create a background layer

Create a new empty layer and drag it below your subject layer.

Step 9. Select the background color

Pick a color you’d like for the background to be, and color the new layer with the bucket (G).

Step 10. Create a duplicate subject layer

Duplicate your subject layer by right-clicking the layer and selecting “duplicate” layer.

Step 11. Create a drop shadow

Select the bottom layer of your subject. In this demonstration, it is “layer 0”. Then, go to your Photoshop bar and select Layer > Layer Style > Drop Shadow. 

Select “Drop Shadow” and it will open the menu.

Step 12. Adjust the settings

Now you can get creative and adjust the style to fit your preferences. You can adjust the angle, opacity, spread, and more. 

Step 13. Apply the drop shadow

Once you are happy with the drop shadow settings, click “OK” to apply the drop shadow to your photo. The photo will now have a drop shadow that adds depth and dimension.

Step 14. Clean up the shadow effect

Create a new layer mask to the layer with the drop shadow applied. 

Mask out the unnecessary shadow with the brush (B). Make sure you’re using a completely black brush and are drawing over the area you want to remove from the image.  

Step 16. Clean up the drop shadow

Add some basic editing to your image to clean it up and make it look like it was taken in a studio by adjusting the levels.

Make these adjustments to the subject layer at the top of your Photoshop project. 

Step 17. Add definition to the background

Add a quick gradient map to the image to give the background more depth, and you’re done! You can do this by creating a gradient layer. Select the gradient map tool on your toolbar. 

Select your preferred colors on the gradient as well as the opacity.

Once you’re happy with the gradient map, press OK. Then select the background layer. In this demonstration, that layer name is “Layer 1.” Once selected, drag your gradient map across the screen and let go.

Make sure you start from the bottom of the image and drag it to the top. That way, your gradient goes from darkest to lightest. 

Once you release your mouse, you’ll get a smooth gradient with the shades you selected.

When you’re happy with the shadow, you’re finished! You’ve successfully learned how to add a drop shadow in Photoshop. 

Remember, you can play around with the different drop shadow settings to give the exact drop shadow effect you want.

Watch Video Tutorial–

What are the different styles of drop shadow effects?

There are different styles and elements that you can add to your drop shadow to make it more realistic.

Angle

This determines where the light comes from and where the Photoshop shadow effect goes. Shadows usually fall at a 90-degree angle to the light source, but this can be changed to make the effect more or less dramatic.

Distance

This determines how far away the object’s shadow is. If the distance is bigger, the shadow will be softer and less defined, while if the distance is smaller, the shadow will be sharper and more defined.

Spread

This changes how big and round the shadow is. A larger spread will make a shadow that is wider and less clear shadow, while a smaller one will make a shadow narrower and clearer.

Size

This controls how big the shadow is as a whole. A larger size will make a more dramatic and noticeable shadow, while a smaller one will make a shadow that is not as noticeable.

Opacity

This controls how see-through the shadow is. A shadow with a higher opacity will be more noticeable and stand out, while a shadow with a lower opacity will be softer and less noticeable.

You can make many different drop shadow effects in Photoshop by changing these different parts. 

Adding a drop shadow to an image can be a powerful way to get the effect you want, whether it’s to give an image more depth and dimension or to make it look more real.

Blending Mode

You can adjust your shadow by using different modes. This can help make your shadow appear more realistic. Along with the lay mode, you can also change the color. You can adjust the color selector if your shadow appears colder or warmer.

Noise

To add more realism to your shadow, you can increase the noise. If an image was shot in darker lighting, there might be more noise in the subject. By adding this to the drop shadow, you’re solidifying the realness. 

Why you need high-quality product photos for your e-commerce business

The product photos on your website can make or break a sale. If your photos are crisp and showcase your products on a neutral background, your potential customers will get a solid idea of the quality of your product. The higher the quality of the image, the more trustworthy your brand is. But we understand how important it is to be mindful of your budget. That’s where we come in. 

We offer high-quality editing for e-commerce photos. We can provide perfectly edited images to encourage more sales by working with us. Connect with us to learn more about our photoshop editing services, and you’ll easily increase the quality and trust of your website!

Final thoughts

As an e-commerce business owner, budgeting is necessary to sustain your company. Hiring a photographer to shoot product photos in a studio can get expensive. Instead, you can easily remove your background from your photos and add a drop shadow. 

Adding shadows in Photoshop can give your photos more depth and dimension, making them more interesting and lively. This method can also make your photos look more real like they were taken in real life. 

Adding drop shadows to your editing process can help you take your photos to the next level, whether you’re a professional or a hobbyist. 

With the right skills and attention to detail, you can make beautiful, powerful images that will draw people in and make your brand stand out.