{"id":6251,"date":"2015-04-20T01:19:25","date_gmt":"2015-04-20T05:19:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.photoshopessentials.com\/?p=6251"},"modified":"2022-11-02T10:42:55","modified_gmt":"2022-11-02T14:42:55","slug":"add-rays-of-sunlight-to-a-photo-with-photoshop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.photoshopessentials.com\/newsite\/photo-effects\/add-rays-of-sunlight-to-a-photo-with-photoshop\/","title":{"rendered":"Add Rays Of Sunlight To A Photo With Photoshop"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"summary-novideo\">\n<p>Learn how to easily add rays of sunlight to an image with Photoshop, a great way to make an already beautiful sunset photo even more magical. Fully updated for Photoshop CC and CS6.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n.adslot-2 { display: inline-block; width:300px; float:right; margin: 6px 0px 12px 30px; }\n@media (max-width: 767px) { .adslot-2 { display: none; } }\n<\/style><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n<!-- 300x250 photo effects top responsive -->\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle adslot-2\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6601556224092982\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"2740208297\"\n     data-ad-format=\"rectangle\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script>\n<section>\n<div id=\"author\">Written by Steve Patterson.<\/div>\n<p>To create the effect, we'll start with Photoshop's classic Clouds and Radial Blur filters, and we'll take advantage of Smart Objects and Smart Filters to keep our filter settings fully editable. We'll then use one of Photoshop's layer blend modes and a layer mask to blend the light rays in with the original image, and we'll finish by warming things up using a simple Photo Filter adjustment layer.<\/p>\n<p>This version of the tutorial has been fully re-written and updated for both Photoshop CS6 and <a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/l\/dlXjD2w\" title=\"Learn more about Adobe Creative Cloud\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Photoshop CC<\/a> (Creative Cloud). If you're using an earlier version of Photoshop, you'll want to check out the original <a href=\"\/photo-effects\/light-rays\/\">Add Rays Of Light To A Photo<\/a> tutorial.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Here's the image I'll be starting with (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/pic-166808456.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">bride and groom at sunset photo<\/a> from Shutterstock):<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/original.jpg\" alt=\"Image 166808456 licensed and used by permission from Shutterstock\" width=\"640\" height=\"443\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The original image.<\/div>\n<p>And here's how it will look after adding the rays of sunlight behind the couple:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/photoshop-rays-of-sunlight.jpg\" alt=\"Adding rays of sunlight to an image with Photoshop. \" width=\"640\" height=\"443\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The final effect.<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<aside><style type=\"text\/css\">\n.ads-middle { display: inline-block; width:300px; margin:6px 0px 24px 0px; padding-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 16px; }\n@media (max-width: 515px) { .ads-middle { margin:20px 0; } }\n@media (max-width: 480px) { .ads-middle { margin:20px 0; } }\n<\/style><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6601556224092982\"\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\n<!-- photo effects 300x250 middle responsive -->\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle ads-middle\"\n     style=\"display:block\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6601556224092982\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"4216941496\"\n     data-ad-format=\"rectangle\"\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/aside>\n<aside>\n<p>This tutorial is from our <a href=\"\/photo-effects\/\" title=\"Learn Photoshop effects\">Photo Effects<\/a> series. Let's get started!<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<aside><p class=\"members-ad-top\"><a href=\"\/print-ready-pdfs\/\">Download all of our Photoshop tutorials as PDFs!<\/a><\/p><\/aside>\n<section>\n<h2 class=\"sub\">How To Add Rays Of Sunlight<\/h2>\n<h3>Step 1: Add A New Blank Layer<\/h3>\n<p>With the image newly opened in Photoshop, we can see it both in the main document area and  in the <strong><a href=\"\/basics\/layers\/layers-panel\/\">Layers panel<\/a><\/strong>. It's sitting on the <a href=\"\/basics\/layers\/background-layer\/\"><strong>Background layer<\/strong><\/a>, currently the only <a href=\"\/basics\/layers\/\">layer<\/a> in our document:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/photoshop-layers-panel.gif\" alt=\"The Layers panel showing the photo on the Background layer.\" width=\"289\" height=\"270\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The Layers panel showing the photo on the Background layer.<\/div>\n<p>The first thing we need to do is add a new blank layer. Press and hold the <strong>Alt<\/strong> (Win) \/ <strong>Option<\/strong> (Mac) key on your keyboard and click on the <strong>New Layer<\/strong> icon at the bottom of the Layers panel:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/photoshop-new-layer-icon.gif\" alt=\"Clicking the New Layer icon. \" width=\"289\" height=\"187\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Clicking the New Layer icon.<\/div>\n<p>This opens the New Layer dialog box, giving us the chance to name the new layer before it's added. We'll use this layer to hold our effect, so name the layer \"sun rays\",  then click OK:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/naming-the-new-layer.gif\" alt=\"Clicking the New Layer icon. \" width=\"461\" height=\"189\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Naming the new layer in the New Layer dialog box.<\/div>\n<p>Photoshop adds the new \"sun rays\" layer  above the Background layer:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/new-sun-rays-layer-added.gif\" alt=\"The Layers panel showing the new sun rays layer. \" width=\"289\" height=\"209\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The &quot;sun rays&quot; layer appears.<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"\/basics\/layers\/layers-panel\/\">Related: Photoshop Layers Panel Essential Skills<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Step 2: Set Your Foreground And Background Colors To Their Defaults<\/h3>\n<p>In a moment, we're going to apply the Clouds filter to our new layer, but first, we need to make sure our <strong>Foreground and Background colors<\/strong> are set to their defaults, with the Foreground color <strong>black<\/strong> and the Background color <strong>white<\/strong>. To quickly reset them,  press the letter <strong>D<\/strong> on your keyboard (think \"D for \"Defaults\"). If you look at the Foreground and Background <strong>color swatches<\/strong> near the bottom of the Tools panel, you should see the Foreground (upper left) swatch filled with black and the Background (lower right) swatch filled with white:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/foreground-background-colors.gif\" alt=\"The Foreground and Background color swatches. \" width=\"77\" height=\"175\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The Foreground and Background color swatches.<\/div>\n<h3>Step 3: Apply The Clouds Filter<\/h3>\n<p>With the Foreground and Background colors reset, go up to the <strong>Filter<\/strong> menu in the Menu Bar along the top of the screen, choose <strong>Render<\/strong>, then choose <strong>Clouds<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/filter-render-clouds.gif\" alt=\"Choosing the Render Clouds filter. \" width=\"169\" height=\"179\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Going to Filter &gt; Render &gt; Clouds.<\/div>\n<p>There are no options to set for the Clouds filter. Photoshop simply fills the entire layer with what Adobe calls \"clouds\". They appear in black and white because that's what we set our Foreground and Background colors to before applying the filter:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/photoshop-render-clouds.jpg\" alt=\"Choosing the Render Clouds filter. \" width=\"640\" height=\"443\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The document after applying the Clouds filter to the &quot;sun rays&quot; layer.<\/div>\n<h3>Step 4: Change The Blend Mode Of The Layer To Overlay<\/h3>\n<p>At the moment, the \"clouds\" are completely blocking our image from view. We need a way to blend them in with the photo, and we can do that by changing the layer's <a href=\"\/photo-editing\/layer-blend-modes\/intro\/\"><strong>blend mode<\/strong><\/a>. You'll find the Blend Mode option in the upper left of the Layers panel. By default, it's set to Normal. Click on the word &quot;Normal&quot; and change the blend mode to <strong>Overlay<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/overlay-blend-mode.gif\" alt=\"Changing the layer blend mode to Overlay. \" width=\"305\" height=\"270\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Changing the layer blend mode to Overlay.<\/div>\n<p>The <a href=\"\/photo-editing\/layer-blend-modes\/overlay\/\">Overlay blend mode<\/a> is one of Photoshop's contrast-boosting blend modes, and here, we see that not only do the clouds now blend in with the image but the contrast has also increased:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/image-overlay.jpg\" alt=\"The effect after changing the blend mode to Overlay. \" width=\"640\" height=\"443\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The image after changing the blend mode to Overlay.<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"photo-editing\/layer-blend-modes\/intro\/\">Related: The Five Essential Blend Modes For Photo Editing<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Step 5: Convert The Sun Rays Layer Into A Smart Object<\/h3>\n<p>To make the clouds look like rays of sunlight, we'll use Photoshop's Radial Blur filter. But before we do, let's convert the \"sun rays\" layer into a <strong>Smart Object<\/strong>. That way, we can apply Radial Blur as a <strong>Smart Filter<\/strong> which will make it much easier for us to experiment with its settings. With the \"sun rays\" layer still selected, click on the small <strong>menu icon<\/strong> in the top right corner of the Layers panel:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/layers-panel-menu-icon.gif\" alt=\"Clicking the Layers panel menu icon. \" width=\"302\" height=\"233\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Clicking the Layers panel menu icon.<\/div>\n<p>Choose <strong>Convert to Smart Object<\/strong> from the menu that appears:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/convert-to-smart-object.gif\" alt=\"Choosing the Convert to Smart Object command from the Layers panel menu. \" width=\"252\" height=\"163\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Choosing &quot;Convert to Smart Object&quot;.<\/div>\n<p>It won't look like anything has happened to the image, but a small <strong>Smart Object icon<\/strong> appears in the lower right corner of the  layer's <strong>preview thumbnail<\/strong>, letting us know that the layer has been converted into a Smart Object:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/smart-object-icon.gif\" alt=\"The layer preview thumbnail showing the Smart Object icon. \" width=\"289\" height=\"182\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The preview thumbnail showing the Smart Object icon.<\/div>\n<h3>Step 6: Apply The Radial Blur Filter<\/h3>\n<p>Now that we've converted the layer into a Smart Object, go up to the <strong>Filter<\/strong> menu at the top of the screen, choose <strong>Blur<\/strong>, then choose <strong>Radial Blur<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/filter-blur-radial-blur.gif\" alt=\"Choosing the Radial Blur filter in Photoshop. \" width=\"155\" height=\"141\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Going to Filter &gt; Blur &gt; Radial Blur.<\/div>\n<p>This opens the Radial Blur dialog box. First, set the <strong>Blur Method<\/strong> on the left to <strong>Zoom<\/strong>, then set the <strong>Quality<\/strong> to <strong>Good<\/strong>. The reason we're not choosing Best for the quality right away is because it will most likely take a few tries to get the effect looking just right and running the Radial Blur filter can be an intensive and time-consuming task. Leaving the Quality option set to Good will let us test out our settings more quickly (in fact, you may even want to choose <strong>Draft<\/strong> if you're on a slower computer). Once we're happy with how things look, we can then go back and change the quality to Best. We'll see how to do that in a moment.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Amount<\/strong> option at the top controls how much of a blur is being applied. I'm working on a large image (4200 x 2883 pixels) so I'll drag the slider all the way to the right to the maximum value of <strong>100<\/strong>. You may want to choose a lower value for a smaller image, but don't worry about getting things exactly right for now. We can easily make changes to the settings and try again:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/radialblur-method-quality-amount.gif\" alt=\"The Blur Method, Quality and Amount options in the Radial Blur dialog box. \" width=\"282\" height=\"274\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Setting the Blur Method to Zoom, Quality to Good and Amount to 100.<\/div>\n<p>Finally, the <strong>Blur Center<\/strong> box is where we set the location in the image where the blur effect will appear to be zooming out from. For this effect, we want it to be zooming out from wherever the sun is sitting in the sky. Simply click inside the box and, with your mouse button held down, drag the blur center to where you need it. Unfortunately, Photoshop doesn't make this very easy. There's no preview option, and it doesn't help that the box is square when your photo is most likely rectangular. Knowing exactly where to set the center point is really a trial-and-error, \"take your best guess\" type of thing. It's frustrating, but again, we'll be able to easily come back, move the blur center and try again, so don't worry about getting it perfect.<\/p>\n<p>Since the sun is roughly in the center-right of my photo,  I'll drag my blur center to the center-right of the box:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/radialblur-blur-center.gif\" alt=\"The Blur Center option in the Radial Blur dialog box. \" width=\"282\" height=\"274\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Click and drag to move the center of the blur.<\/div>\n<p>When you're ready, click OK to close out of the dialog box and apply the Radial Blur effect, transforming the clouds into rays of light. In my case, I like the strength of the effect so setting the Amount value to 100 was a good choice, but the zoom isn't centered correctly. The light rays should be coming from the sun, but instead, they're a bit too far to the left:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/the-first-try.jpg\" alt=\"The center of the zoom effect needs to be moved to the right. \" width=\"640\" height=\"443\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The center of the zoom effect needs to be moved to the right.<\/div>\n<h3>Step 7: Re-Open The Radial Blur Smart Filter And Change The Settings As Needed<\/h3>\n<p>Fortunately, because we applied the Radial Blur filter to a Smart Object rather than a normal layer, it was applied not as a normal filter but as a <strong>Smart Filter<\/strong>, which makes it easy to go back and make whatever changes we need. If we look in the Layers panel, we see the Radial Blur filter listed as a Smart Filter directly under the &quot;sun rays&quot; layer. To re-open its dialog box, just <strong>double-click<\/strong> on it:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/radialblur-smart-filter.gif\" alt=\"The Radial Blur Smart Filter in the Layers panel. \" width=\"289\" height=\"203\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Double-clicking on the Radial Blur Smart Filter.<\/div>\n<p>When the dialog box re-opens, go ahead and make any changes you need. You can do this as many times as you like because Smart Filters in Photoshop are <em>non-destructive<\/em> so you never need to worry about losing image quality. In my case, I'll leave the Amount value set to 100 but you may want to try a different value with your image. The only change I'll make is that I'll click and drag the blur center over a bit to the right to hopefully line it up this time with the sun. Click OK when you're ready to close out of the dialog box and apply the filter with your new settings:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/moving-blur-center.gif\" alt=\"Moving the blur center and trying again. \" width=\"282\" height=\"274\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Moving the blue center and trying again.<\/div>\n<h3>Step 8: Change The Quality To Best<\/h3>\n<p>If the effect still doesn't look right after the second try, don't feel bad. Blame Adobe for not making it easier (that's what I do), then just double-click on the Radial Blur Smart Filter in the Layers panel to re-open its dialog box, make your changes, and then click OK to try again. Repeat as many times as needed. Once you have your blur center lined up properly in the image, re-open the Radial Blur dialog box and change the <strong>Quality<\/strong> from Good to <strong>Best<\/strong>, then click OK to run the filter one last time:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/radialblur-quality-best.gif\" alt=\"Changing the Quality to Best in the Radial Blur dialog box. \" width=\"282\" height=\"180\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Changing the Quality to Best.<\/div>\n<p> It will take quite a bit longer than before (a progress bar will let you know how it's going), but when it's done, you'll have rendered the light rays at the highest possible quality:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/image-light-rays.jpg\" alt=\"The effect after running the Radial Blur filter at the Best quality setting. \" width=\"640\" height=\"443\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The effect after  running the Radial Blur filter at the Best quality setting.<\/div>\n<h3>Step 9: Add A Layer Mask<\/h3>\n<p>We have our light rays, but they're covering the entire image. That may be what you want depending on your photo, but in my case, it's a problem. For starters, the rays are shining right through the couple on the beach. I also want the rays to appear only <em>above<\/em> the horizon, not below it. To hide the light rays in the areas we don't need them, we'll use a <a href=\"\/basics\/layers\/layer-masks\/\">layer mask<\/a>. With the \"sun rays\" layer still selected, click on the <strong>Layer Mask<\/strong> icon at the bottom of the Layers panel:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/photoshop-layer-mask-icon.gif\" alt=\"Clicking the Layer Mask icon in the Layers panel. \" width=\"289\" height=\"210\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Clicking the Layer Mask icon.<\/div>\n<p>Nothing will happen to the image yet, but a white-filled <strong>layer mask thumbnail<\/strong> appears on the \"sun rays\" layer:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/layer-mask-thumbnail.gif\" alt=\"The layer mask thumbnail in the Layers panel. \" width=\"289\" height=\"227\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The new layer mask thumbnail.<\/div>\n<h3>Step 10: Select The Brush Tool<\/h3>\n<p>Click on Photoshop's <strong>Brush Tool<\/strong> in the <strong>Tools panel<\/strong> along the left of the screen to select it:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/photoshop-brush-tool.gif\" alt=\"Selecting the Brush Tool from the Tools panel. \" width=\"80\" height=\"169\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Selecting the Brush Tool.<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"\/basics\/layers\/layer-masks\/\">Related: Understanding Layer Masks In Photoshop<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Step 11: Set Your Foreground Color To Black<\/h3>\n<p>We're going to use the Brush Tool to paint over the areas where we want to hide the light rays. To do that, we'll need to be painting with <strong>black<\/strong>. Photoshop uses the <strong>Foreground color<\/strong> as the brush color, so to quickly make sure it's set to black, first press the letter <strong>D<\/strong> on your keyboard. This will set the Foreground color to <strong>white<\/strong>, which is the default color whenever a layer mask is selected. Then, press the letter <strong>X<\/strong> on your keyboard to swap the Foreground and Background colors, making the Foreground color <strong>black<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Again, you can see the current Foreground and Background colors in the <strong>color swatches<\/strong> near the bottom of the Tools panel. The Foreground (upper left) swatch should now be filled with black:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/foreground-color-black.gif\" alt=\"The Foreground color is set to black. \" width=\"71\" height=\"174\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The Foreground color is set to black.<\/div>\n<h3>Step 12: Choose A Soft Round Brush<\/h3>\n<p>With the Brush Tool selected, <strong>right-click<\/strong> (Win) \/ <strong>Control-click<\/strong> (Mac) anywhere inside the image to quickly open Photoshop's <strong>Brush Preset Picker<\/strong>, then <strong>double-click<\/strong> on the <strong>soft round brush<\/strong> (first thumbnail, top row) to select it. Double-clicking selects the brush and then closes out of the Brush Preset Picker:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/photoshop-brush-preset-picker.gif\" alt=\"Choosing the soft round brush. \" width=\"309\" height=\"317\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Choosing the soft round brush.<\/div>\n<p>Then, begin painting over any areas where you want to hide the light rays from view. I'll start by painting over the area below the horizon, as well as that mountain in the background just above the horizon on the left. Since we're painting on the layer mask, not on the layer itself, we won't see the black brush strokes. Instead, the light rays will simply disappear in the areas we paint over:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/painting-below-horizon.jpg\" alt=\"Painting over areas to hide the rays of light. \" width=\"640\" height=\"443\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Painting over areas to hide the rays of light.<\/div>\n<p>If you need a larger or smaller brush, you can change its size from the keyboard. Press the <strong>left bracket key<\/strong> ( <strong>[<\/strong> ) repeatedly to make the brush smaller or the <strong>right bracket key<\/strong> ( <strong>]<\/strong> ) to make it larger. If you hold down your <strong>Shift<\/strong> key as you press the bracket keys, you'll make the brush edge softer (<strong>left bracket key<\/strong>) or harder (<strong>right bracket key<\/strong>).<\/p>\n<p>I also need to hide the light rays from in front of the couple, so I'll paint over them with a smaller brush:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/painting-over-couple.jpg\" alt=\"Using a soft, smaller brush to paint away the light rays in front of the couple. \" width=\"561\" height=\"599\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Using a smaller, soft brush to paint away the light rays in front of the two people.<\/div>\n<h3>Viewing The Layer Mask<\/h3>\n<p>As I mentioned, because we're painting on the layer mask, not on the layer itself, we don't see the black brush strokes as we paint, but we <em>can<\/em> see where we've painted by looking at the <strong>mask preview thumbnail<\/strong> in the Layers panel. The black areas are where we're hiding the light rays from view. The white areas are where the light rays are still visible:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/mask-preview-thumbnail.gif\" alt=\"The mask preview thumbnail shows us where we've painted. \" width=\"289\" height=\"226\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The mask preview thumbnail shows us where we've painted.<\/div>\n<p>Or, for a full-size preview of the layer mask to see exactly where you've painted, press and hold the <strong>Alt<\/strong> (Win) \/ <strong>Option<\/strong> (Mac) key on your keyboard and click on that same <strong>mask preview thumbnail<\/strong>. Your image in the main document area will be replaced by the layer mask:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/preview-mask-in-document.jpg\" alt=\"Viewing the layer mask in the main document area. \" width=\"640\" height=\"443\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Alt (Win) \/ Option (Mac)-click on the mask preview thumbnail to toggle between viewing the image and viewing the mask.<\/div>\n<p>To switch back to your image, press and hold the <strong>Alt<\/strong> (Win) \/ <strong>Option<\/strong> (Mac) and click again on the <strong>mask preview thumbnail<\/strong> in the Layers panel. Here's what my effect looks like with the rays of light now appearing only above the horizon, behind the couple:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/image-light-rays-masked.jpg\" alt=\"The image after painting on the layer mask. \" width=\"640\" height=\"443\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The effect after selectively hiding the light rays with the layer mask.<\/div>\n<h3>Step 13: Add A Photo Filter Adjustment Layer<\/h3>\n<p>The only problem remaining is that my light rays are white. I'd like to warm them up so they better match the warmth of the rest of the image. For that, I'll use a Photo Filter adjustment layer. To add one, press and hold your <strong>Alt<\/strong> (Win) \/ <strong>Option<\/strong> (Mac) key while clicking  the <strong>New Fill or Adjustment Layer<\/strong> icon at the bottom of the Layers panel:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/new-adjustment-layer-icon.gif\" alt=\"Clicking the New Fill or Adjustment Layer icon in the Layers panel. \" width=\"289\" height=\"161\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Alt (Win) \/ Option (Mac)-clicking the New Fill or Adjustment Layer icon.<\/div>\n<p>Then I'll choose <strong>Photo Filter<\/strong> from the list that appears:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/choose-photo-filter-addjustment.gif\" alt=\"Choosing a Photo Filter adjustment layer. \" width=\"174\" height=\"134\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Choosing a Photo Filter adjustment layer.<\/div>\n<p>This opens the same New Layer dialog box  we saw earlier. Select the <strong>Use Previous Layer to Create Clipping Mask<\/strong> option by clicking inside its checkbox. This tells Photoshop to \"clip\" the adjustment layer to the \"sun rays\" layer directly below it, which means that the Photo Filter will affect just that one layer, not the entire image. You can learn more about clipping masks in Photoshop with our full <a href=\"\/basics\/clipping-masks-essentials\/\">Clipping Masks Essentials<\/a> tutorial:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/create-clipping-mask.gif\" alt=\"Selecting the Use Previous Layer to Create Clipping Mask option. \" width=\"454\" height=\"164\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Selecting &quot;Use Previous Layer to Create Clipping Mask&quot; option.<\/div>\n<p>Click OK to close out of the dialog box. Photoshop adds the Photo Filter adjustment layer directly above the \"sun rays\" layer. Notice that the adjustment layer is indented to the right, with a small arrow pointing down at the layer below it. This tells us that the Photo Filter is clipped to the \"sun rays\" layer:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/photo-filter-adjustment-layer.gif\" alt=\"The Photo Filter adjustment layer is clipped to the sun rays layer below it. \" width=\"317\" height=\"197\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The new Photo Filter adjustment layer.<\/div>\n<h3>Step 14: Select The Warming Filter (85) And Increase The Density<\/h3>\n<p>The options and controls for the Photo Filter adjustment layer appear in Photoshop's <strong>Properties panel<\/strong>. Set the <strong>Filter<\/strong> option at the top to <strong>Warming Filter (85)<\/strong> if it isn't set to that already. Then, drag the <strong>Density<\/strong> slider towards the right to warm up the sun rays. The further to the right you drag, the warmer the rays will appear. I'm going to set mine to a value of around <strong>85%<\/strong>. Make sure to leave the <strong>Preserve Luminosity<\/strong> option selected (checked):<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/photo-filter-density.gif\" alt=\"Choosing the Warming Filter (85) and increasing the Density for the Photo Filter. \" width=\"304\" height=\"269\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Choosing the Warming Filter (85), then increasing the Density.<\/div>\n<p>With the Density value increased, the rays of sunlight have warmed up nicely to match the rest of the image:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/image-photo-filter.jpg\" alt=\"The effect after warming up the light rays with the Photo Filter. \" width=\"640\" height=\"443\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The effect after warming up the light rays with the Photo Filter.<\/div>\n<h3>Step 15: Lower The Opacity Of The Sun Rays<\/h3>\n<p>Finally, if you find that your sun rays are too bright, first click on the \"sun rays\" layer in the Layers panel to select it:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/select-sun-rays-layer.gif\" alt=\"Selecting the sun rays layer in the Layers panel. \" width=\"317\" height=\"216\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Selecting the &quot;sun rays&quot; layer.<\/div>\n<p>Then, simply lower the opacity of the layer to reduce the intensity of the  rays. The <strong>Opacity<\/strong> option is found in the upper right of the Layers panel, directly across from the Blend Mode option. I'll lower mine down to <strong>80%<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/layer-opacity-80.gif\" alt=\"Lowering the opacity of the sun rays layer. \" width=\"317\" height=\"221\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Lowering the opacity of the &quot;sun rays&quot; layer.<\/div>\n<p>And with that, we're done! Here, after lowering the opacity, is my final \"rays of sunlight\" effect:<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/photo-effects\/cc\/rays-of-sunlight\/photoshop-rays-of-sunlight-effect.jpg\" alt=\"Adding rays of sunlight to an image with Photoshop. \" width=\"640\" height=\"443\" \/>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The final result.<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n.ads-bottom { width:300px; padding-top:16px;padding-bottom:16px; }\n<\/style><div align=\"center\"><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6601556224092982\"\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\n<!-- 300x250 page bottom responsive -->\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle ads-bottom\"\n     style=\"display:block\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6601556224092982\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"2879809098\"\n     data-ad-format=\"rectangle\"\n\t data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/div>\n<aside>\n<h3>Where to go next...<\/h3>\n<p>And there we have it! That's how to add rays of sunlight to an image using the Clouds filter, the Radial Blur filter, a layer mask and a Photo Filter adjustment layer in Photoshop! For similar tutorials, see our <a href=\"\/photo-effects\/sunlight-through-trees-effect-with-photoshop\/\" title=\"View the Sunlight Through The Trees tutorial\">Sunlight Through The Trees<\/a> or <a href=\"\/photo-effects\/warm-golden-sunset-effect-with-photoshop\/\" title=\"Warm Golden Sunset Photoshop Effect\">Warm Golden Sunset Effect<\/a> tutorials. Or visit our <a href=\"\/photo-effects\/\" title=\"More Photoshop photo effects\">Photo Effects<\/a> section for more Photoshop effects tutorials!<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<aside> <div class=\"members-ad\"><a href=\"\/print-ready-pdfs\/\">Get all of our Photoshop tutorials as PDFs!<\/a> Download them today!<\/div> <\/aside>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this photo effects tutorial, learn how to easily add rays of light to an image and make a beautiful sunset photo even more magical!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15325,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[104,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cc-photo-effects-2","category-photo-effects"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - 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