Remove a Shadow in Photoshop
Photoshop can be used to manipulate and alter your photos, especially with basic edits, such as unwanted shadows. If you want to remove a shadow from your picture using Photoshop, there are many ways to successfully complete this task; however, it is highly based on your particular photo. In most instances, it will be a moderately easy task, but it can be time-consuming and trying at times. For the best results, always start with a high-resolution photo.
Instructions
1. Open your photo file in Photoshop. Avoid using .GIF files. Convert any .GIF files to .JPG or to a higher-quality file type.
2. Using the Lasso tool, select the shadow area for removal, including a small amount of the area around the shadow. If there are multiple shadows over different areas, select each area separately and repeat these steps. Copy and paste the selection to a new layer using CTRL+C (Command+C on a Mac) and CTRL+V (Command+V on a Mac).
3. You should have a new layer containing only the shadow area. Go to "Image," "Adjustments" and "Brightness/Contrast."
4. Adjust the levels of brightness and contrast to match the surrounding background color.
5. If you could not match the surrounding area using "Brightness/Contrast," go to "Image," "Adjustments" and "Color Balance." Adjust the colors until you receive noticeably better results.
6. Select the Eraser tool and choose a soft-edged brush. Erase the extra area around the shadow until it begins to blend with the background layer image.
7. If your results are not perfect, try adjusting the hue and saturation under "Image," "Adjustments" and "Hue/Saturation."
8. In some instances, the shadow may be too dark to retain the original image's characteristics. If you have this problem, try patching over the areas to recreate similar characteristics to the original image. Patching can be accomplished by copying an area of similar, non-shadowed texture, and pasting it over the shadowed area. For example, if you have an area of grass that is covered by an object's shadow, you can copy a segment of the non-shadowed grass and paste it over the shadowed grass. Repeat this process until the entire area is covered, and erase random areas of each segment to hide any visible uniformity.
In addition, if the object has a mirrored shape, such as a window, you can copy the non-shadowed section of the object, paste it on a new layer, and flip it horizontally or vertically. This can act as a cornerstone for your editing. Apply similar tactics from above to reach the desired effect.
Tags: Image Adjustments, area around, area around shadow, around shadow, Brightness Contrast, CTRL Command, match surrounding
