Time traveling me: “Use the light young Padawan; trust your instincts.”
Once you learn some basic lighting techniques like using overlays and basic Dodge & Burn, a whole new world of possibilities opens up for your artwork!
Suddenly you find yourself able to create drama, realistic light and focal points.
You feel invincible and get convinced that anything is possible now!
Well, possible perhaps, but probably not worth your time in many instances.
Don’t fight the light!
Let the lighting in the existing components guide you.
For example, if you are working on a model image where the light on the face and clothing is clearly coming from camera left, you most likely won’t be able to change that convincingly with Dodge & Burn, or hand-painting shadows and highlights.
Don’t fight the light!
Want to REALLY master lighting?
Improve QUICKLY in our Lighting Summit! Join us for a deep dive into lighting methods and techniques!
Trust your instincts.
If it starts feeling like it’s just not working, then pay attention. You are probably right.
Let your mind troubleshoot and find a better way.
Sometimes you can flip the model horizontally to adjust the light directions.
Sometimes you can introduce a new light source to make it work.
And sometimes you just need to find a new model image or change the direction of your artwork altogether!
How to progress with lighting:
1. Learn how to use overlays in Screen blend mode. This is a great way to add spotlights, window lighting, amplify sunsets and more.
2. Learn how to Dodge & Burn. Practice on both model images and images of objects.
3. Start painting with light and learn to create drop-shadows.
Now you’re ready to create just about any lighting effects you can think of!
Get Five Quick Photoshop Lighting Tips right here! (Printable PDF)
Sign up to get pro tips on important Photoshop topics like curves, extractions, keyboard shortcuts and much more!