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How Do I Add Artificial Light in Photoshop?

Last updated on January 26, 2023 @ 1:51 pm

Adding artificial light in Photoshop is a great way to make your photos pop and add interest. There are a few different ways to do this, and the best way will depend on the photo you’re working with.

One way to add artificial light is to use the Dodge tool. This tool allows you to lighten areas of your photo by painting over them with a brush.

To use the Dodge tool, select it from the toolbar on the left side of the screen. Then, set the brush size and hardness, and choose a low exposure. Paint over the areas you want to lighten, and you’ll see the effect immediately.

Another way to add artificial light is to use a curves adjustment layer. This will allow you to manipulate the brightness of your photo without affecting the overall color.

To do this, go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves. Then, drag the middle point of the curve upwards to brighten the photo, or drag it downwards to darken it. You can also experiment with different parts of the curve to create different effects.

A third way to add artificial light is to use a brightness/contrast adjustment layer. This is similar to using a curves adjustment layer, but it’s a bit simpler.

To do this, go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Brightness/Contrast. Then, adjust the brightness and contrast settings until you’re happy with the results.

Finally, you can also add artificial light by creating a new blank layer and painting on it with a white or light-colored brush. Set the brush opacity low, so that the effect is subtle, and paint over areas you want to lighten. You can also experiment with different brush sizes and hardness levels to get different effects.

Adding artificial light in Photoshop is a great way to make your photos pop and add interest.

PRO TIP: If you are not familiar with Photoshop, or if you are not comfortable working with layers, we recommend that you do not attempt to add artificial light to your images. Doing so could result in damage to your image file, and it may be difficult to correct if you are not familiar with the software.
Drew Clemente

Drew Clemente

Devops & Sysadmin engineer. I basically build infrastructure online.