Keeping Casted Shadow from COB Photos?

[Jay_Bruce@adobeforums.com]

Hello to all,

I can not seem to find a good solution for achieving this effect:

I have photographs of many custom motorcycles that were shot on a off-white/light grey back-drop. I want to "knock out" or "COB" the motorcycle AND its casted shadow so that the background is 0 percent white for 4 color, offset printing.

Does anyone know how I may be able to get this result.

I have tried many different ways. I also tried the magic eraser (but it rips apart the shadow).

Knocking out the bike is no problem, getting the casted shadow to go a long with it is tricky.

Any advice, direction or how-to files would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

Jay: [email]jay@jaybrucegrafix.com[/email]

[PShock@adobeforums.com]

Most people just create the shadow artificially. Duplicate the bike layer after you've separated it from the background and fill the duplicate with black. Then use the Transform tools to stretch and skew the dupe to simulate a cast shadow. Blur to taste and use a gradient layer mask to make it fade.

Do a Google search of cast shadow tutorial. Here's one:
<http://www.photoshopcafe.com/tutorials/cast%20shadow/cast%20shadow.htm>

-phil