The first thing I will do is to make some
color adjustments for this text so I double click here to enter the layer style options. You can also do this by right clicking on
the text layer and choosing blending options. To create a realistic effect you always need
to analyze where the main light is coming from, so in this case if I look at these leaves,
looks like the light is coming from the top left and this means that the leaves will cast
some shadows on the bottom right. Also.. the text will look much better if I
apply a gradient to it. So let’s see, I will give you the exact
codes for the colors that I use but first let’s check this box right here which says
“gradient overlay”. Make sure the blend mode is set to normal,
opacity to 100, negative 90 for the angle of the gradient and make it linear. The codes for the colors are:
for the left side: f4e99c, for the right side: cdb933
Hit OK, and now let’s check this box for Bevel and Emboss. Choose inner bevel, this slider controls the
depth and I found that for me 105 is the perfect value, you can choose different numbers if
you want especially if you’re using another image, you need to adjust these accordingly
depending on many variables. But for this tutorial, you can use my values,
it’s a lot simpler. So let’s move on.. 24 pixels for the size and 7 pixels for the
soften value. Ok, that’s it, let’s hit OK and for now
we are finished with the text. The next step is a bit time consuming but
you need to do it if you want the final result, you have no choice. I need to bring some of the leaves on top
of my text. But first I need to see WHICH of the leaves,
so I will lower the opacity of the text layer to 40 percent, to make it easier for me. I have to decide which of the leaves I want
to be in front of the text, on top of the text, for example.. This one right here, I want it to be on top,
this one… I can choose this one too and so on… for
each of the letters. I need to make some precise selections. I will use the pen tool and create some shapes
that I will convert in selections later. It sounds complicated but it’s not.. Just look at what I’m doing. So I just press P on the keyboard to enable
the pen tool, from this dropdown I choose Shape, also disable the fill, choose a red
color for the stroke and make it 2 pixels thick. I hold down the Z to zoom in here and I will
create a precise shape only where the leaves are covering the letter. On the outside of the letter I just create
a rough selection. Something like this. Let’s do this one as well. Meanwhile you can see that the shape layers
are adding up in the layer’s panel on the right. I will show you what to do about that after
I created all the shapes here. So let’s speed up the video here and listen
to some music from Epidemic Sound, a platform with great tracks, you can get a free trial if you access my affiliation
link in my description. It’s one of the ways you can support this
channel so that I can create free tutorials on YouTube. Ok, the shapes are ready, I will select the
first one in the list, hold down shift, select the last one, right click and choose merge
layers. All the shapes are on a single layer now.. And this is great because I can keep the layer
area much cleaner. I will rename this to Shapes. Now I need to convert these
shapes into selections. I hit P to enable the Pen Tool, just go with
the mouse inside of any shape layer, right click and choose make selection. I will go with a feather of 2 pixels but this
depends on the size of your image so you need to adjust this accordingly depending on how
smooth you want the selection to be. I have an active selection now from the shapes,
so I will select the background layer and press CTRL+J to create a copy of those areas
only. A new layer was created above the background
image containing only the leaves that will stay on the top of my text. You can see them better if I just hide the
shapes layer and the background image. For now, I don’t need the shapes so I can
just grab this layer and put it below the background image and keep it hidden and also
I will rename this layer to Leaves. Now I need to drag the text layer between
the main image and the leaves, because this should be the correct order. Here comes that part that will make a huge
difference in terms of realism. I will show you how to add shadows under the
leaves. First, I will bring back the opacity of the
text layer to 100. I will create the shadows using the blending
options, but here is what happens. If I create a shadow, it will be visible on
the background as well and I need to avoid this. To solve this issue, I will hold down CTRL,
click on the text to create a selection, select the layer with the leaves and create a Layer
Mask. Now, as you can see the shadows are limited
to the text area only. Before tweaking the shadows, there are 2 more
problems that I need to solve. Now the shadows are limited to the text, but
still…. I have a shadow on the background image. This could be solved by entering the blending
options once again and checking this box called Layer mask hides effects. And now.. I really have shadows only under the leaves. The second issue is this white thin line around
the letters, I’m not sure if you can see this. If I zoom in they dissapear.. But still… it’s a bit frustrating. But I can solve this easily. I just unlink the layer mask to be independent,
select the layer mask, then go to edit, transform, scale, and then up here at the percentage,
I will put, 100.1. Then I go back and link back the layer with
the mask. As you can see that line dissapeared. Ok.. it’s time to work on the shadows now
and I will create 2 of them.. A harder one and a softer one. Watch this:
For the hard drop shadow I used these options after some trials so you may need to spend
time if you use a different image: 120 degrees, 15 for the opacity, distance 20, spread 8,
size 21. Now.. did you know that you can add another
drop shadow effect on top of this one? Yes you can.. And this will be the soft shadow. Just click on this plus icon and you have
the second shadow. Awesome, right? For this one, here are my settings, like I
said.. This is a softer shadow with a bigger size
and at a greater distance. 35 for the opacity, 85 distance, 0 for spread
and 75 for size. Just hit OK and let’s look at the text again,
this is how you can transform a boring text into something special, something different,
that instantly catches your eyes. If you enjoyed this video give me a like,
make sure you subscribe and click the bell for other feature tutorials and product reviews
related to photography and videography. I’m Criss, thanks a lot for watching and
see you next time here on Eye Stocker!
