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.10

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.

11

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.

12

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.

13

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.

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More pages: 1 2 3

Written by admin on February 21st, 2008 with 19 comments.
Read more articles on Photo Retouching and Photoshop Tutorials.

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19 comments

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

Looks good, keep it up.

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com Photoshop-Pack
#2. February 22nd, 2008, at 7:38 AM.

Very Nice Tutorial Dude :)

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com 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.

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com Janice
#4. February 22nd, 2008, at 9:21 PM.

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

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com 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.

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com farrosh
#6. February 23rd, 2008, at 11:52 AM.

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

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com 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….

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com Lasse
#8. February 23rd, 2008, at 2:14 PM.

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

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com 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..:)

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com photoshop
#10. March 5th, 2008, at 2:29 PM.

Great one…thanks

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com Martin
#11. March 6th, 2008, at 5:08 AM.

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for sharing.

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com Victor
#12. March 10th, 2008, at 11:12 AM.

Easy and very effective, thank you.

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com jai
#13. March 16th, 2008, at 2:02 AM.

gret job :-) very impressed..!

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com Maurice Hammon
#14. March 17th, 2008, at 4:08 AM.

All I need to do is say - - Thanks.

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com dedy
#15. March 24th, 2008, at 9:46 AM.

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

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com juan
#16. April 7th, 2008, at 6:43 PM.

buen tutorial lo boy a intentar

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com 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!

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com Mima
#18. May 31st, 2008, at 3:05 AM.

Thanks for sharing!

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com xlntgraphix
#19. August 5th, 2008, at 10:34 AM.

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

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