Unlimited Downloads • 15% off Marketplace Purchases • Exclusive Software Access • Unlimited Downloads
• 15% off Marketplace Purchases
• Exclusive Software Access
Start your Free Trial Start your Free Trial Maybe Later
  • By Design Bundles
  • 3 Mins
  • Photoshop Tutorials

Glow Effect in Photoshop

In this tutorial you will learn how to create a glowing bokeh effect in Photoshop.
Begin by opening Photoshop and inserting your photo.

Step 1 - Change to RGB mode


Go to Image and ensure RGB mode is selected and 8bit channel is selected.



Step 2 -  Duplicate the background image


Next select the duplicate layer and right click. Select convert to smart object.


Select the blending mode and change to screen.



Step 3 - Create a gaussian blur


Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian blur.


Change the radius to 10 px. Click OK.


Step 4 - Create an adjustment layer


Create a new adjustment layer and select color balance.


We now need to change the shadows. I use the following settings Cyan -26, Magenta -26, yellow +2 .


Now we need to change the mid tones - Cyan -6, Magenta - 15, yellow +11.


Finally the highlights - Cyan -30, magenta -6, yellow +22. then close the window.


Ensure the adjustment layer is selected and then click Ctrl + Shift + Alt + E. This will merge the layers.


Make sure the new merged layer is selected and change the blending mode to screen.


Step 5 - Create a new layer



With the new layer selected make sure the foreground color is set to white (1) and then select the brush tool (2).


Step 6 - Use a bokeh brush


If you do not have one you can check out the Bokeh Photoshop Brushes by MixPixBox.
Using the brush create a Bokeh effect around your image. Make sure you change the size of the circles when creating your effect.


Finally adjust the opacity of the effect to suit your needs.

6 Related Photoshop Tutorials

How to Make an Easy Glow Effect in Photoshop

For this tutorial, we are using a Ladybug Photo from the Plus Hub.Step 1- Open Your ImageIn Photoshop, open the image you chose to work with.Step 2- Make a Smart Object LayerRight-click on top of its thumbnail and choose Create Smart Object. This will allow you to apply ...

Blend Tool Halftone Effect in Photoshop and Illustrator

For this tutorial, you will a Black and White image to apply the “Halftone” effect to.1 - In Photoshop, open the image you chose to work with.2 - Go to Image > Adjustments > Gradient Map and choose the “Foreground to Background Gradient” (Black to White) from the options and ...

Rainbow Cake Text Effect in Photoshop 3D Text

For this tutorial, we are using “Bukhari Script” from Fontbundles.net (https://fontbundles.net/mikrojihad/33277-bukhari-script), some cake textures (there are some web pages that have free images that you can useas textures) and a plate and table background images.We are going to divide this tutorial in two sections. ...

How to Create a Glow Effect in Canva

In this tutorial, you will learn how to create a glow effect in Canva. This is an excellent effect that can easily be achieved in Canva. We’ll show you how to create a glow effect for basic shapes and uploaded images.To show how to create a glow effect ...

Yellow Brick Road Effect in Photoshop (2 Parts)

For this Tutorial, we are going to an image of “Grass” for the “Background, and a light-colored “Brick” Pattern.1 - In Photoshop, open the file you chose as “Background”.2 - Open the “Brick” Pattern image too. Open the “Image Size” Window (Command/Control + Alt/Option + I) and make it 1000 x 1000 ...

Watercolor Text Effect in Photoshop (Part 2)

For this tutorial we are using a canvas or paper background and Titin Script from Font Bundles.1 – Create a new “Gradient Layer” under your “Texture” layer. Use a “Transparent to Fill Color” gradient with #d3d1d1 and #918f8f as colors, the Style as Radial and a 250% Scale. Hit ...

You may also like

Help Center
ol image