Glow is one of those effects that’s easy to overdo. A little can make something look shiny, new, and exciting.
But too much and it starts to look tacky, cheap, and fake. So how do you create a realistic glow in Photoshop?
The easiest way to create a glow is to use the Outer Glow layer style. You can find it in the Layer Styles dialog box (Layer > Layer Style > Outer Glow).
Start by setting the color of the glow. You can use any color you want, but white or light colors will give the most realistic results. Next, set the Opacity to around 50%.
Now comes the tricky part: setting the Size. This controls how big the glow is, and how far it extends from the object.
If you set it too low, the glow will look weak and unrealistic. If you set it too high, the glow will start to look artificial.
A good rule of thumb is to start with a Size of about 10px and then adjust up or down from there until you get the desired effect. Finally, set the Spread to 0% to keep the glow from feathering out at the edges.
Conclusion:
To create a realistic glow in Photoshop, use a light color for your Outer Glow layer style, set the Opacity to 50%, and start with a Size of 10px. Adjust up or down from there until you get the desired effect.
