It's relatively easy to create lightning using Adobe Photoshop. In the example, we use a less realistic more saturated version, but you can adjust these instructions to make a more realistic lightning effect.
- Open the image you're editing or make a new file. The example shown here uses an RGB 300 x 100 with a black background.
- Draw the lines in the position you want the lightning to be. Use a 1px paintbrush.
- Use the 'Wind' filter. Filter > Stylize > Wind. Select the method as 'Wind' and the direction 'From the left'. Now repeat except change the direction to 'From the right'
- Rotate the image 90 degrees. Click Image > Rotate > 90 degrees right. Repeat the previous step and rotate it 90 left.
- Move to Filter > Distort > Ripple, set the amount to 100%, and hit "OK".
- Go to "Enhance > Adjust Color > Hue/Saturation". At the bottom right corner, hit "Colorize". Now adjust the "Hue" bar and the "Saturation" bar until you get a color you like.
Other notes:
- You can add lightning to an original photo by creating a new layer on it and then following the above steps
- You might want to adjust the contrast
- Please note that this is possible with other photo editing software. Just use the equivalent functions.
- If doing this multiple times, it might be helpful to create an "action."
Tags: Photoshop
