Hello and welcome! I’m Zurie Babin, a Photoshop expert with over 10 years of experience. I’m also the production manager at a photo clipping and retouching company, where I ensure that every image is perfect. In this blog, I’ll guide you through the process of how to create drop shadows for eCommerce products. Drop shadows are a great way to make products stand out on your website and give them depth, making them more attractive to customers.
Let’s dive right into it!
Why Drop Shadows Are Important for eCommerce Product Images
Before we learn how to create drop shadows for eCommerce products, let’s understand why they are important for your e-commerce product pictures:
- Makes the product look better: Shadows can make your product look real and 3D.
- Makes the product stand out: Shadows help your product pop out from the background and make it easier to see.
- Keeps the look the same: Using shadows the same way on all your product pictures gives your website a clean, professional look.
- Shows the important parts of the product: Shadows can help you focus on the key features of the product.
- Makes your business look good: Good pictures with nice shadows tell customers that your business is professional and trustworthy.
By the end of this guide, you will know how to create drop shadows that make your eCommerce products look great. Let’s get started!
Why Add Drop Shadows to Your Product Images?
Before we start with the steps, let’s understand why adding a drop shadow to your product photos is important for eCommerce.
- Enhances Product Visibility: Drop shadows help your product pop out against the background, making it more noticeable on your online store.
- Creates Depth: Shadows give a 3D effect, making your product appear more realistic and visually appealing.
- Improves Aesthetic Appeal: A well-made shadow makes the product look polished, professional, and attractive to customers.
- Better User Experience: Adding shadows improves the overall look of your website, making it more user-friendly and engaging.
Now, let’s move on to the actual process. Follow these easy steps, and you’ll know how to create drop shadows for eCommerce products in no time!
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Drop Shadows
Then, format the steps in a clear, easy-to-follow way:
Step 1: Open the Image
1.Go to file option and then click on open.
2.Select the image and open it.
Step 2: Go to Select Option
Then click on subject for selecting the subject.
Step 3: Create the Main Image
Press Ctrl + J to bring out the main image.
Step 4: Create a White Background
1.Select the main layer and press ctrl + J to create a duplicate layer.
2.Then select the duplicate layer and fill it with the white color to press alt + Backspace if your foreground color is white.
Step 5: Select Blending Options
1.Select the main main layer and click on right button.
2.Select the blending option.
Step 6: Select Drop Shadow
Click on right button and select the drop shadow option.
Step 7: Create the Shadow
Select all the amounts are given on the screenshot.
Step 8: Separate the Shadow from the Layer
1.Right click on the drop shadow.
2.Then select create layer.
Step 9: Remove Unwanted Areas
Select the eraser tool and erase the unwanted area.
Step 10: Drop the Shadow
1.select the second layer.
2.click right button and select blending option.
3.Then go to drop shadow option.
Step 11: Refine the Shadow
Select all the amounts are given on the screenshot.
Step 12: Separate the Shadow Again
1.Right click on the drop shadow.
2.Then select create layer.
Step 13: Erase the Unwanted Areas
Select the eraser tool and erase the unwanted area.
Step 14: Select the Subject Again
Hold ctrl and click on the second layer.
Step 15: Expand the Selection
1.Go to select option then go to modify.
2.Then go to Expand option and select 1% then press ok.
Step 16: Use the Clone Stamp Tool
Go to Tool bar and select clone stump.
Step 17: Fix the Edges
1.After selecting clone stamp you have to fix the edges smoothly.
2.Then Press Ctrl + D to deselect the selection.
Step 18: Save the Image
Go to file then go to save as option and select jpge then press ok.
Finally your work is done.
You an also watch full tutorial here:
Extra Tips for Perfect Drop Shadows
1. Adjusting Shadow Opacity
When applying a drop shadow, you can modify the opacity to create a more subtle or stronger
effect. If the shadow is too harsh or doesn’t look natural, reduce the opacity slightly.
- Light Shadows: Lower the opacity to 30-50% for a softer, more subtle effect.
- Stronger Shadows: Increase the opacity if you want the shadow to be more defined and
dramatic.
2. Choosing the Right Shadow Angle
The angle of the shadow should match the light source in your product photo. For instance:
- If your light source is coming from the top left, set the shadow angle accordingly (typically
around 45 degrees). - Adjusting the angle based on the light source will make the image look more realistic and well-lit.
3. Shadow Size and Distance for Realism
Sometimes, shadows that are too large or too small can appear unrealistic. If your product is
close to the surface, use a smaller shadow size and distance for a more realistic look. On the
other hand, if the product is lifted or placed farther away from the surface, you can use a larger
shadow to show the depth more clearly.
4. Use of Multiple Shadows
If your product has multiple light sources, you might need to use multiple drop shadows.
Here’s how to do that:
- In the Layer Style window, click on Drop Shadow and adjust the settings for the first shadow.
- Then, click OK and repeat the process, creating a second shadow with a different angle,
distance, or opacity. This technique can simulate a more complex light environment for your
product.
5. Refining the Edge of Shadows
In Photoshop, the edges of a shadow can sometimes look too harsh or unrealistic. To fix this:
- Apply the Gaussian Blur filter to gently soften the shadow’s edges. Select the shadow layer and go
to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. - Adjust the blur radius until you’re happy with the softness of the shadow edges.
6. Use Layer Masks for More Control
If you want to further control how the shadow interacts with other elements in the image, you
can use Layer Masks:
- Add a Layer Mask to the shadow layer by clicking on the Layer Mask icon at the bottom of the
Layers panel. - Use the Brush Tool (B) with a soft edge to paint on the mask, allowing you to hide or reveal
areas of the shadow as needed.
If you need professional assistance with creating the perfect drop shadow or other photo editing services, you can check out our Photoshop Image Shadow Creation Service to get expert help.
Troubleshooting Common Shadow Issues
While working with shadows, you may encounter some issues. Here are a few common problems
and solutions:
1. Shadow Appears Too Harsh
If the shadow is too sharp, it may look unnatural. Try the following fixes:
- Lower the opacity of the shadow.
- Increase the size of the shadow or add a Gaussian Blur to soften it.
- Adjust the Spread setting to reduce the intensity of the shadow.
2. Shadow Doesn’t Match Lighting
If the shadow doesn’t look right with the light source in your product photo:
- Double-check the Angle of the shadow to ensure it matches the light direction.
- If you have multiple light sources, consider using multiple shadows to simulate the lighting
effect more accurately.
3. Uneven Shadows
Sometimes, shadows can appear uneven if the product has irregular edges or is cut out
improperly. To fix this:
- Use the Clone Stamp Tool (S) to fix any areas where the shadow looks inconsistent.
- Ensure that the Expand Selection step (Step 15) was done properly, as this helps the shadow sit
more naturally under the product.
4. Shadow Does Not Look Natural on Transparent Background
When working with products on transparent backgrounds, it’s essential to ensure the shadow
remains visible and realistic:
- Apply the shadow to a solid background first (as we did in Step 4).
- After creating the shadow, you can remove the background or adjust the shadow layer settings
to make it stand out against the transparent background.
Conclusion
Creating drop shadows for your eCommerce product images can take your photos from good to great. By following these steps, you’ll add a professional touch to your images, which will enhance their visual appeal and help your products stand out. Whether you’re selling on an online store, a marketplace, or even on social media, well-edited images with proper shadows will make a big difference.
Remember, shadows should enhance the image without overpowering it, so keep experimenting with different settings until you get the perfect effect. Once you’ve mastered the technique to create drop shadows, you can apply these steps to all your product images to create a cohesive and polished look for your store.
I hope this guide was helpful! If you have any questions or need more assistance, feel free to drop a comment below. Happy editing! For more tips, visit www.photoclippingretouching.com.