"SamCKayak" <sam@elearningcorner.com> wrote in message
news:b0dcc77d-d78e-4e85-ab15-9b335dbd503b@v46g2000hsv.googlegroups.com...
> istockphotos seem to have white backgrounds. I like to remove the
> white background, and retain the shadows of the subject.
>
> I don't have any problem capturing the shadows ctrl + alt + ~
> invert the selection, then fill with black
>
> So the shadows are in a layer. Now I need the subject in a layer over
> the shadows but it can be very difficult to isolate a mask the image
> subject as the shadows usually adjoin the image.
>
> Are there any good tricks for the 2nd step.. masking the subject and
> not the shadows?
>
> KC


Mask the entire subject leave out the shadow
then use drop shadow from effects palette to simulate the shadow

or copy paste the shadow only to a layer below the subject

or on a new layer
use a lasso tool (softly feathered) to approximate the original shadow and
fill with black or gradient
use the opacity slider and/or layer blend mode to get your desired effect