Mystical Light Shaft

Step 8

Now we have several layers and we’re going to merge all those light shaft layers into one. Select the top layer then press Ctrl+E to merge down. Do this again until you have only two layers: one with the light shaft and the background layer.

Step 9

We’re almost done! We just need to tweak the light so that it looks natural. Right now, the light shaft looks white and unless you’re working on a black & white image, it will look unnatural. To fix this, we’re going to tint the light shaft with the Hue/Saturation tool.

Press Ctrl+U or choose Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation. In the Hue/Saturation window, checkmark the Colorize option. Then, adjust the hue and saturation so that the light shaft color matches the environment.

Step 10

Another step? Well, this is more like a half step because it is completely optional. Sometimes, you may notice that the light shaft will go past foreground objects. You can mask out the areas where it is visible by adding a layer mask.

If you want to do this, add a layer mask by clicking on the new layer mask button in the layers palette or by choosing Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal All.

With the layer mask selected, choose the Eraser tool and erase the areas that you do not want the light shaft shining. I don’t quite like the results on my image and I prefer that the light shaft cover the father and daughter so I will simply disable the layer mask. To do this, hold the shift key and click on the layer mask thumbnail in the layers palette.

Final Results

Look how much drama is added to the photo. This effect can make good photos look great. How many wedding photos have you seen with a light shaft? Now you can add it to your photos easily with Photoshop.

More pages: 1 2 3

Written by admin on February 21st, 2008 with 24 comments.
Read more articles on Photo Retouching and Photoshop Tutorials.

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24 comments

Read the comments left by other users below, or:

Free tutorials
#1. February 22nd, 2008, at 3:51 AM.

Looks good, keep it up.

Photoshop-Pack
#2. February 22nd, 2008, at 7:38 AM.

Very Nice Tutorial Dude

Julian
#3. February 22nd, 2008, at 9:43 AM.

I rather pay a couple bucks than to view your ads. My time that it takes to download those ads cost more than a few bucks.

Janice
#4. February 22nd, 2008, at 9:21 PM.

Wow beautiful effect! I’m going to try this out.

Janice
#5. February 22nd, 2008, at 9:28 PM.

Sorry for the double comment… but I just saw Julian’s comment after I posted and I want to reply.

Julian - What is wrong with you? First, if you had to pay to download, it would take a lot more time than the fraction of a second it takes for the ads to load. And I doubt with someone of your intelligence that your time is worth that much.

farrosh
#6. February 23rd, 2008, at 11:52 AM.

Wow beautiful effect! I’m going to try this out.

Jag
#7. February 23rd, 2008, at 12:38 PM.

I thought it was a great tutorial, very informative and good quality finished product. As far as the site loading slowly due to ads, this site loaded as fast as any I visit during the day. No problems at all….

Lasse
#8. February 23rd, 2008, at 2:14 PM.

Julian, just 3 words for you. Firefox - “Adblock Plus”

fya
#9. February 27th, 2008, at 7:45 AM.

tutorial panjenengan sae sanget =>javanese language, but dont worry i will translate for U, here there are…
Nice tut dude..:)

photoshop
#10. March 5th, 2008, at 2:29 PM.

Great one…thanks

Martin
#11. March 6th, 2008, at 5:08 AM.

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for sharing.

Victor
#12. March 10th, 2008, at 11:12 AM.

Easy and very effective, thank you.

jai
#13. March 16th, 2008, at 2:02 AM.

gret job very impressed..!

Maurice Hammon
#14. March 17th, 2008, at 4:08 AM.

All I need to do is say - - Thanks.

dedy
#15. March 24th, 2008, at 9:46 AM.

finally!bisa tau juga gmn bikinnya..tank u very much..great tut!!

juan
#16. April 7th, 2008, at 6:43 PM.

buen tutorial lo boy a intentar

Ong
#17. April 18th, 2008, at 5:58 AM.

Hi there, you are providing me really good tutorial!
I have learned a lot from this website.
Thanks for you kind sharing!

Mima
#18. May 31st, 2008, at 3:05 AM.

Thanks for sharing!

xlntgraphix
#19. August 5th, 2008, at 10:34 AM.

XLNT efx! …can’t wait to try this! Thanks!

GlobalNet
#20. August 15th, 2008, at 1:55 AM.

Wow.. Cool..!

themarchcat
#21. August 19th, 2008, at 12:23 PM.

I love this tutorial. I have always wanted to know how to make light and now I do, thanks soo much!

name
#22. August 31st, 2008, at 8:18 PM.

Good day!,

delont
#23. December 3rd, 2008, at 7:42 PM.

thanks for tutorial…..very usefull

flaar
#24. December 22nd, 2008, at 11:01 AM.

yes, very good!!!

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Mystical Light Shaft

Step 8

Step 9

Step 10

Final Results

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