How to Use and Photograph Real Snow for Overlays in Photoshop

It might be the most wonderful time of the year but that doesn't mean there will be snow falling for your photo shoot. In this video, you’ll learn how to photograph and use real snow for overlays in Photoshop.

There are plenty of tutorials online that can show you how to make snow in Photoshop, but nothing beats the real thing. Anyone can do this simple technique to bring organic looking snow into their photos. You only need a few basic things: a black or gray backdrop to place outside, a tripod, and a camera. After you have the photos you need, you simply bring them into Photoshop and change the blend modes. The independence of the layers to the original image will allow you plenty of freedom to make changes and have control over what the final image looks like. This technique is great for people who live in climates that don’t get snow frequently. It’s also a great backup if you planned a shoot in the snow and the forecast changes at the last minute. Once you have even a dozen photos of snow falling, you will be able to reuse them over and over again without the overlays looking repetitive.

Brandon Adam's picture

Brandon Adam is a portrait, wedding, and commercial photographer based out of Newtown PA. He has a degree in photography and visual arts. He is also a rock climber, pianist, and avid reader.

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2 Comments

Just wanted to say, this was a great idea and a very informative and helpful tutorial. Also, this is a beautiful picture.

Thank you, Carlos! I really appreciate that!