Adding a realistic shadow
 

I have done a photoshop image of my daughter pushing her arm up and to the side of a photo frame, basically I photographed the frame, photographed her and have put the picture in the frame.

This has worked really well bu I want to add a shadow under her arm where it comes out of the frame and am not sure of the best way of doing this.

Any tips will be appreciated.

[QUOTE=wavemachine;24146]I have done a photoshop image of my daughter pushing her arm up and to the side of a photo frame, basically I photographed the frame, photographed her and have put the picture in the frame.

This has worked really well bu I want to add a shadow under her arm where it comes out of the frame and am not sure of the best way of doing this.

Any tips will be appreciated.[/QUOTE]

Hi Wavemachine,

If you could post a picture of what you've done, it would be better than mentally trying to visualise it. From what you've said though, it sounds like you could duplicate the image of your daughter and place it on top of the first (and on top of the frame layer, if what I'm picturing is correct). Add a layer mask to it, painting everything but her arm invisible. Next click on the "fx" tab at the bottom of the layers pallet. Select "drop shadow". Set the angle depending on the light source and adjust the distance and the strength of the shadow to suit. See how that looks.

Thanks for the reply, I have had a quick play with your suggestions but didn't seem to get anything that convincing, I will have another play tonight.

Here is the image in question:-

[url=http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/9697/lookatmesmall.jpg][img]http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/9697/lookatmesmall.jpg[/img][/url]

I haven't added shaddow myself, but you could try this. Make a duplicate layer and then with the polygonal tool set to about a feather of 3 or 4, draw where you would like the shadow area to be. Now go to Image, Adjustments, Exposure and reduce the exposure slider a tad and then the Gamma Correction a tad until you get what you think is a realistic looking shadow. If the edges look to be a bit too sharp, repeat the process with more feather untill you get it perfect.

I'm sure someone will come along and show you a better way soon, but give it a try. I'm assuming you have a version of Photoshop CS of course.

There's quiet a good guide to creating what you are after here [URL]http://www.photoshopcafe.com/tutorials/cast_shadow/cast_shadow.htm[/URL]

HTH

[QUOTE=wavemachine;24178]Thanks for the reply, I have had a quick play with your suggestions but didn't seem to get anything that convincing, I will have another play tonight.

Here is the image in question:-

[url=http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/9697/lookatmesmall.jpg][img]http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/9697/lookatmesmall.jpg[/img][/url][/QUOTE]

Hi Wavemachine,

It is an interesting image to try and 'squeeze' in a shadow, given the angle / perspective in the plane of the frame and the expected dimension of the girls arm. I fear the differences in the perspective values, will always make the full 3D effect, aspect of the imagery appear to be awkward.

Just my opinion, but either the frame needs to be inclined more or the positioning of the girl image adjusted (replaced with a slightly different depth in pose) to provide sufficient space / room, for the view to fully work. To my quick glance, the pose suggests that the extended arm is further away from the lens, than the other hand (and head details) trapped behind / within the frame

It would also be worth setting up the scene with the frame again utilising the same lighting; and then introducing a 'model' of the arm ( even using a drinking straw held in place with blue tack? ) so you can see where the shadows and any reflections fall.

Pop in to my gallery here and you can view two images that are on similar lines in projecting limbs through frames.

Only to add that I use both methods, utilising masks in layers, with tonal changes and drop shadow effects often combined and then tweaked to the 'gut feeling' or to suit the observations from staged modeling / makets etc.

Hope this helps

Thanks to everyone for the replies and suggestions, to be honest I played and read articlse but could not get anything that looked convincing if anything my attempts made the image worst (my failings with PS). The image was for our weekly photo competition at work which I did win BTW (just).

Andy, thanks for your tips they really do make sense and I can see how it will produce the desired results, I popped over to your gallery as suggested and wow what a fantastic set of images. In the context of what I was trying to achieve your 'Just Press Start' image works really well.

As winter is looming I will take on board your suggestions and give it a go although I do have a whole load of little projects planned over the coming months.

Once again many thanks for everyone taking the time and trouble to reply it is really appreciated.

Thank you for your kind words David, there are some nice shots in your gallery too.

Deleted as answer to problem was to late.