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1.Place image and its shadow on separate layers, with image on top layer, then align them as you'd like. 2.Click top layer to activate it. 3.Choose a Multiply Blending mode from drop-down menu. The Multiply Blending mode makes top layer slightly darker, helping it blend with its shadow.
Magic Eraser Technique:
The Magic Eraser tool (hold down Eraser icon in toolbar to access it) allows you to erase pixels that are all same color (or are a similar color).
1.First pass using Magic Eraser Tool: 72 tolerance, contiguous, anti-aliased. 2.Second pass using Magic Eraser Tool: 32 tolerance, other settings same. 3.Used Eraser tool (brush mode) to clean up edges, stray pixels, and shadow area.
Moving Selections (While Creating Them)
Did you know that you can move a selection even while you are in process of creating it? The technique illustrated below is invaluable for creating precise shape selections.
1.Use Elliptical Marquee tool [M] (use [Shift+M] to cycle) to draw an approximate selection (and hold Shift key down as well to maintain a perfect circle). Don't worry about where you start selection 2.With left mouse button (and Shift key) held down, hold Space Bar and (use mouse to) position selection over desired region 3.Let go of Space Bar (but not mouse button or Shift key) and continue sizing selection to encompass region of interest 4.Repeat Steps 2 – 3 until entire object is contained within selection (without ever letting go of left mouse button and Shift key) 5.Finally, let go of mouse button (and Shift key)
Note: Even though this tip uses Elliptical Marquee tool, it works for all of rest of Marquee tools [Shift+M].
The combination of knowing what you want and knowing how to do it properly is best way to make best out of your Photoshop: a mixture of creativity and acumen. As you learn more, you make fewer mistakes, your workflow becomes faster, and you have more time to explore creative possibilities.
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