Photoshop Tutorial: How to Create a Photo Backdrop

An example of a cloudy backdrop.

Photo backdrops are those cloudy backgrounds that are often found in professional portrait photographs. Having one professionally added to your photo can be pricey, but with the use of Photoshop, you can add one to your photo fairly quickly. Also, it won't cost you a penny.

Instructions

1. Start Adobe Photoshop, click "File," then "New...," set the new document's settings, and press "OK" to create a new project.

2. Click on "Filter," then "Render," and select "Clouds." This will create white clouds on a black background by default.

3. Click "Image," select "Adjustments," and click on "Hue/Saturation...." This will bring up the hue and saturation window where you can play around with the settings to adjust the color of the backdrop.

4. Click on "Filter," then "Render," and then "Lighting Effects...." This will bring up the lighting effect settings which you can play around with to create unique lighting for the backdrop. The "Omni" light setting is recommended for easier lighting control.

References

• Digital Image Magazine: Create a Photo Backdrop in Seconds with Photoshop
• Photoshop Essentials: Create A Portrait Studio Background