 |
| adobe-plus.blogspot.com |
Step 1: Duplicate The Background Layer
With my image newly opened in Photoshop, if we look in my Layers panel, we see the photo sitting on the Background layer, currently the only layer in my document:
The Layers panel showing the photo on the Background layer.
The first thing we need to do for our soft glow effect is make a copy of the Background layer, and the easiest way to do that is to click on the Background layer and drag it down onto the New Layer icon at the bottom of the Layers panel (it's the second icon from the right):
Dragging the Background layer onto the New Layer icon.
Release your mouse button when your hand cursor is directly over the New Layer icon. Photoshop will make a copy of the Background layer, name the new layer "Background copy" and place it above the original:
Step 2: Rename The New Layer
It's always a good idea to rename layers in your Layers panel so you have a better sense of what's on each layer and what it's being used for. Let's give the "Background copy"
layer a more descriptive name. To rename a layer, simply double-click directly on its name in the Layers panel. This will highlight the current name:
Double-clicking on the name "Background copy" to highlight it.
Since we'll be using this layer to create our soft glow effect, let's name it "Soft Glow". Press Enter (Win) / Return(Mac) on your keyboard when you're done to accept the name change:
The "Background copy" layer is now the "Soft Glow" layer.
Step 3: Apply The Gaussian Blur Filter
To create the actual soft glow effect, we'll first apply some blurring to the "Soft Glow" layer. Then we'll change the way the blurred layer mixes with the original image below it by changing its blend mode.
To blur the layer, we'll use Photoshop's Gaussian Blur filter. Go up to the Filter menu in the Menu Bar along the top of the screen, choose Blur, and then choose Gaussian Blur:
Going to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur.
This opens the Gaussian Blur dialog box, which lets us control the amount of blur being applied to the layer using the Radius slider along the bottom. The further you drag the slider to the right, the stronger the blur effect will appear. Photoshop gives us a live preview of the effect in the document, so keep an eye on your image as you drag the slider to judge the results.
We don't want to blur the image so much that our subject becomes unrecognizable. We're just trying to soften things up a bit, so lower radius values tend to work best. Keep in mind, though, that the blur amount that works best for your specific image may be different from mine and will depend a lot on its size, with larger photos needing more blurring than smaller ones. Generally, for a subtle glow effect, a radius value of somewhere around 10 pixels should work well:
For a subtle glow, use smaller radius values.
Here's what my blur effect looks like with a radius value of 10 pixels. Notice that while the photo looks softer than it did before, we can still make out plenty of detail. We'll see even more detail once we change the layer's blend mode in the next step:
The blurring effect with a radius of 10 pixels.
For an even softer, more dream-like glow effect, try a larger radius value of around 20 pixels:
For a more dream-like glow, use a larger radius value.
Here's my blurring effect using a 20 pixel radius. We can still make out detail in the photo, but the blurring is definitely stronger this time. Choosing the right amount of blur is really a personal choice and will depend on the image. In my case, I think this is too much so I'll go with the smaller 10 pixel radius. When you're happy with the results, click OK to close out of the Gaussian Blur dialog box:
The blurring effect with a radius of 20 pixels.
Step 4: Change The Blend Mode To Soft Light
Now that we've blurred the "Soft Glow" layer, let's change the way it interacts with the original image on the Background layer below it. We do that by changing its blend mode. You'll find the Blend Mode option in the upper left of the Layers panel. By default, it's set to Normal. Click on the word "Normal" to bring up a menu of other blend modes and choose Soft Light from the list:
Changing the layer blend mode from Normal to Soft Light.
The Soft Light blend mode in Photoshop does two things; it boosts the overall contrast in the image, and it enhances the colors, making them appear more vibrant. Here's my image with the blend mode set to Soft Light, giving everything a warm, subtle glow:
The effect using the Soft Light blend mode.
For a stronger effect, try the Overlay blend mode instead. The Overlay blend mode is very similar to Soft Light, boosting contrast and color, but where Soft Light is more subtle, Overlay is more intense:
Changing the blend mode from Soft Light to Overlay.
Here's my result with the Overlay blend mode. Overlay may work better with a different image, but in this case, it's too strong so I'll go with Soft Light instead:
The result using the Overlay blend mode.
Step 5: Lower The Layer Opacity
To fine-tune the effect, simply lower the layer's opacity. You'll find the Opacity option in the upper right of the Layers panel, directly across from the Blend Mode option. The default opacity value is 100%. The more you lower it, the more the original photo below the "Soft Glow" layer will show through. In other words, we’ll see more of the original image and less of the blurred image.
To change the opacity value, click on the small arrow to the right of the current value, then drag the slider. I'll lower mine to around 75%, but again, you'll want to keep an eye on your image as you drag the slider to judge the results:
Lowering the opacity of the "Soft Glow" layer.
Here, after lowering the opacity, is my final soft glow effect:
psd file
Soft Glow Effect With Adobe Photoshop CC
Views:
Category:
Soft Glow Effect,
With Adobe Photoshop CC
