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How Do I Light a Lightbulb in Photoshop?

Last updated on September 24, 2022 @ 4:19 pm

There are a few ways to light a lightbulb in Photoshop, and the method you choose will depend on the effect you want to achieve. If you want to create a realistic lightbulb, you’ll need to use the Pen tool to draw a path around the lightbulb, and then use a layer style to add a glow.

If you want to create an illustrated lightbulb, you can use the Ellipse tool to draw a circle, and then use the Gradient tool to add a radial gradient. You can also use the Brush tool to paint a lightbulb shape, and then use a layer style to add a glow.

PRO TIP: Please be aware that the title of this article is a little misleading – it’s actually about how to create the *effect* of a lightbulb being lit in Photoshop, rather than actually lighting a physical lightbulb! If you’re expecting to learn about photography or lighting techniques, you’ll be disappointed.

To create a lightbulb with an abstract shape, you can use the Custom Shape tool to draw a lightbulb shape, and then use the Gradient tool to add a radial gradient.

No matter which method you choose, you’ll need to create a new layer for the lightbulb, and then add a layer style to make it glow. To do this, go to Layer > New Layer > Layer Style > Outer Glow.

In the Outer Glow settings, choose white for the color, and set the size and opacity to your liking. Experiment with different settings until you get the effect you want.

The best way to light a light bulb in Photoshop is by using the Pen tool
to draw a path around it and adding an Outer Glow layer style.

Kathy McFarland

Kathy McFarland

Devops woman in trade, tech explorer and problem navigator.