How to Fix and Remove Harsh Shadows from Face in Photoshop

Simplest way to remove and fix harsh shadows from portraits in Photoshop by utilizing the fundamental concepts of blend modes and channels. Without making any precise selections, learn how to handle portraits with harsh lighting conditions and get rid of the annoying shadows.

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What is a shadow? Simply, a dark area, right? Now, is there any way to make a selection of dark areas? Yes! In this tutorial, we will first use the RGB Channel to make a selection based on "luminosity". Which means, the brighter areas will be selected and the darker areas won't be selected. However, since we want to modify just the opposite (i.e. dark areas), we will invert the selection. Then, putting only the dark areas on its own layer, we'll change its blend mode to "screen". Remember, "Screen" is a blend mode which brightens up stuff! And therefore, that should do the trick!

However, there might be situations where the shadows may turn out to be faded or you might observe some color shifts. We'll also discuss what to do then. I have enough examples to get that covered. Hope this video helps you.

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[PiXimperfect]

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[erikaleopardi]

I've done photoshop courses in the past and none of them have help me like you! you are the best! your step-by-step is excellent! thanks so much!!!! ❤❤❤❤

[JDenim]

Hi, I have to say I love your channel. Your personality and attitude make you want to learn and listen to complicated techniques. I appreciate all the work you do and I want you to know you add so much value to youtube. You are by far the best Photoshop instructor. Thank you so much for making everything look so easy.

[zululongkumer]

Hands down I gotta admit, U r the God of photoshop. Fast, precise, informative, out of the world technique.

[SergioPower]

NO annoying background music, CLEAR CRISP voice, SLOW and STEP BY STEP, well done my friend, excellent tutorial!

[bcgaming]

I was searching for a tutorial on how to remove shadows, but your video is the only one that totally explained how to do it with great accuracy and simplicity. I'm giving this a thumbs up.

[brooke]

You're a great teacher! I think part of it is your friendly personality but you also clearly know what you're doing so it makes your lessons simple and easy to understand. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you posting these videos online!

[micahbeard]

I've been using photoshop for 10 years and I had no idea you could select the light profile in this way! Life-changing!!!

[wisdomgeoffrey]

You are the best Graphic tutor I have ever met...online or hold you in high esteem.

[alexandrupohata]

I used to avoid this channel because of your accent. but the fact is that i can understand you very well, you speak english way better than i will ever do. Also i think that you got the best channel (that i know of) for photoshop tutorials. I consider myself advanced in adobe programs and i still can find new things that i can learn or other way, more efficient of doing the things that I already know. Thank you and keep on going!

[vdo]

Dear guru, Your love for what you do reflects in your teachings.Your smile while you teach encourages.Every tutorial you do is for beginners as well as advanced learners.I cannot thank you enough.

[JohnThomasjbthomasphotography]

You are one of my favorite teachers. You take the difficult and make it easy with real world problems. Great stuff.

[thomasmurphy]

I’ve watched a ton of photoshop tutorials and this shows one of the best tricks/secrets! Dude thank you so much

[ninichow]

First I thought this 3 year old video probably will be outdated...However; watching this tutorial helps me a lot ! You explained it so well and it is easy to follow. Your channel is hands down the #1 go to place whenever I run into wall on PS.... Thank you for all your effort. Please keep up the great work! Happy Holidays! Stay safe & healthy!😇

[HeartSoulLeake]

What an awesome coincident that we were actually working on a file that needed this very adjustment. This tut was so simple as well presented that we were able to follow and achieve a better than expected result. Thank you so much, Unmesh. You rock!

[tombnguyen]

This was an awesome tutorial on how to get rid of shadows. I did the opposite and used the multiply blend mode to take away highlights as well. I'll keep this as a reference. Thanks for making this!

[pedromalo]

Great tutorials, we live in Mexico and my daughters and I love your videos also because your english is very clear. Saludos!

[carolyn]

Unmesh, I appreciate your tutorials more than you know. Clear, easy and I've learned so much from you. Thank you!!

[alfredstanley]

I love how fast you talk and how you move things along! I find videos are the best way for me to pick up on Creative Cloud features, but they usually take a lot of time, and I have to pause and repeat to get the details anyway. Your videos progress through the material quickly, so I can easily get an overview and then focus on the steps. Thank you, Sensei!

[GIjoeFan]

Wow I have not tried this yet but your knowledge and the way you explain this caused me to be speechless!