Lighting Effects in Photoshop

Photoshop can create just about any effect and to prove it, we're going to show you a quick way to create lightning. To begin, open a new 500 x 500 pixel image. Then choose Filter, Render, Difference, Clouds. Apply this filter to your image several times. Stop when you begin to see anything that resembles a lightning streak in the evolving cloud patterns.  Now we're ready to fine-tune the lightning. To do so, choose Image, Adjust, Levels. In the resulting dialog box, move the Midtone handle closer to the White handle. Notice the gray areas become lighter. Now move the Black handle closer to the Midtone and the White handles. Continue to adjust the Levels handles until you isolate a few lightning fingers. Then select the most realistic and rotate it to the proper angle.

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