Preserving real shadows?

[pjbraune]

Hi - first post here.
I recently read the Layers book and am learning parts of it. I'm working with creating transparency masks with Blend If. Here are the images I'm practicing with.
My question is, can I preserve the actual cast shadows in a situation like this. I think they need to have transparency so that any background color, texture, etc. would show through to create a realistic look.
How would you handle that? Any other suggestions very welcome.

Thanks,
Peter

[SilvaFox]

Just dupe your "dog layer", set the bottom layer to multiply. Make a layer mask and erase your shadow from the top layer.

The idea is to overprint the shadow only, over the brown bkgd.

[pjbraune]

Hi, SilvaFox

Thanks for the reply.

Did I mention that I'm obtuse? Is this what you're suggesting? Is this a clumsy way of accomplishing it?

Peter

[SilvaFox]

Hey Peter,

I think you need to have the shadow on top of the bkgd. Otherwise it doesn't multiply over anything.

I would have started with the brown bkgd. on the bottom layer, the multiplied shadow over that and the solid dog (with masked out shadow) on top.

Cheers.

[pjbraune]

OK - I think this is what you're talking about. Yes?

It is doing what I want. Now I have to focus on preserving a better cast shadow and I'll be pretty happy with the method.

Would you go at this differently?

Thanks for the help.

Peter

[SilvaFox]

You got it. Fully adjustable with no dead ends. Anyone can pick it up and edit without any heartaches. Including you.

[pjbraune]

Great - thanks again for the help.

[chillin]

I removed white & put it back only on the dog.
Sorry for the imperfect rendering, I tried to safe time.