Do you want to remove unnecessary shadows from faces or objects in your pictures? Adobe Photoshop makes it simple to do so without affecting the rest of the image.
Below, we’ll walk you through the most effective way to get this done using the “RBG Channel and Color Range.” We’ll also introduce other methods you can use for this purpose in Photoshop.
Table of Contents
Methods to Remove Unnecessary Shadows on Faces
Photoshop offers many techniques to erase the unwanted shadows on your subject. Some of the common methods are as follows:
Method 1: RBG Channel and
RBG Channel is a quick way to select the bright areas of your picture, create an inverted mask, and use the color range to remove the harsh shadow. However, this method does not work well for images with dark shadows.
Method 2: Clone Stamp Tool
With the Clone Stamp Tool, you can paint over the shadowed area with pixels from another part of the image. The flip side is that this method requires patience and a steady hand, especially in detailed areas like facial features.
Method 3: Generative Fill
Photoshop has introduced the Generative Fill feature in version 25.0 and later, which uses AI to remove unwanted elements like shadows from your pictures. The catch? Well, it requires a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud and might give you natural results sometimes.
You can also use the Patch Tool, Content-Aware Fill, Remove Tool, and Adjustment layers to remove unnecessary shadows on faces.
Steps on How to Remove a Shadow Using Adobe Photoshop
For this guide, we’ve selected the RBG Channel and Color Range method because it is a quick way to remove harsh shadows on objects and faces.
Step 1: Import Your Picture To Adobe Photoshop
First, open Photoshop on your PC, click “Open,” and select the image with shadow to upload it to the editing space.
You can also import your picture from “Your Files” and “Shared With You” in Photoshop.
Step 2: Access the RBG Channel
Once your photo is open in the editing interface, click “Channels” next to “Layers” in the right panel. Now, hold Ctrl on your Windows or CMD on your Mac PC and click on the first RBG. This will select the bright areas of your image.
After that, go back to the “Layers” panel, click “Select” in the top ribbon bar, and choose “Inverse” from the sub-menu.
Right-click the “Background” in the “Layers” panel, choose “Duplicate Layer,” and click “OK” in the pop-up menu. You can also press “Ctrl/CMD+J” on your keyboard for this step.
Select “Layer 1” and set the “Blend Mode” to “Screen.”
Click “Add Layer Mask” to add a layer mask.
Choose the layer mask, click “Image,” select “Adjustments,” and click “Invert” to create a negative mask.
Step 3: Use Color Range
Select the “Background Layer,” click “Select,” and choose “Color Range.”
Select “Shadows” from the drop-down menu next to “Select,” set “Range” to “120-140,” “Fuziness” to “25-35,” and click “OK.”
Click “Quick Selection Tool,” right-click anywhere on the image, and choose “Feather.”
Set the “Feather Radius” to 10-12 and click “OK” to reduce any harsh transitions. Press CTRL/CMD+D to deselect the selection.
Select the “Layer Mask,” click “Image,” choose “Adjustments,” and click “Invert” to create a negative mask.
After that, click “Brush Tool,” set the color to black, and use a soft round brush with 100% opacity to paint over the face to fix the areas that are too bright.
If there are still some shadows on your picture, use the “Quick Selection Tool” to make a selection and add a Brightness/Contrast Adjustment Layer. Carefully increase the brightness as needed.
Step 4: Export Your Image
Once you are fully satisfied, click “File” in the top left corner of the screen, choose “Export,” and select “Export As.”
Set the file format and size, and click “Export” to save the image to your PC.
If you also want to remove shadows on objects, too, you can use the same method to get your desired object on stationary elements.
Tips and Tricks
Layer It Up!
Always work on duplicate layers instead of the original. This way, if you mess up (and we all do!), you can just delete that layer and start over.
Watch Those Edges
Pay extra attention to the edges where shadow meets light. This is where most people can spot bad editing. Use the black brush around these areas for a more natural blend.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Forgetting to Feather the Selection
When you skip feathering, it can result in harsh edges where the shadow used to be. So, make sure to set its radius accordingly for a smooth transition.
Using a Hard-Edged Brush for Masking
If you use a hard-edge brush to paint your layer mask, it creates unnatural transitions. Always use the soft round brush with 30% flow to get better results.
FAQs
What If My Image Looks Too Bright After Removing the Shadow?
If your image looks too bright, simply lower the Opacity of the Screen Blend Mode Layer or adjust brightness with Curves or Levels.
How Do I Deal With Shadows on Darker Skin Tones?
While working with darker skin tones, be extra careful with the contrast adjustments. For this, instead of just using the Screen Blending mode, add a Curves Adjustment Layer and increase the mid-tones slightly to maintain natural skin color.
Conclusion
To conclude, you’ve learned how to remove unnecessary shadows on faces using the “RBG Channel and Color Range” method. We’ve also discussed essential tips to help you make your edits look more natural.
Take your time, experiment with different settings, and soon you’ll be a pro at fixing shadows in any photo!
