Adobe Photoshop: Add the gloss effect to any image
Contributed by risherz 
Tagged: Graphics Many professionals use this sweet technique to add the glass effect to all of their images. You to can use this glass effect for any image that you want, with these helpful tips!
Basically the glass effect is adding a White to transparent type gradient over any image and reducing the opacity to around 20% for the gloss layer. You can do this for any image that you want, to make it look like it is shining.
1. Use the pen tool to create a box or desired shape over the image. Try to have a gradient from dark (at the bottom) to light (at the top) if you can for the background.(if you don’t have the pen tool then you can use the marquee tool and gradient tool):
2. Right click on the layer and select blending options. (you can also the add a layer style menu)
3. Check the Gradients box. Then change the gradient to a totally white gradient
4. Make one side totally transparent
5. Click on OK
6. Change the opacity of the layer to about 20%. (this setting will differ from picture to picture)
Final Effect (this is just to demonstrate… if you put this on real images the results will be better):
Then your gloss is good to go… you can add this great effect to any image! But remember that the darker the background the more better the gloss.
For example here’s a extremely simple and easy to do glossed image:
Note: To make the gloss curved I used the pen tool.
If you want any additional help in ‘glossing your picture’ or any feedback on the effects you’ve achieved by using this recipe, feel free to use the comments section.
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Michael said on October 29, 2008
Well tutorial. This should have been put on youtube in video format.
(Sorry my English is bad.)
amit said on November 4, 2008
this is a good site
BAS said on December 26, 2008
Thnx, It was useful
Rob said on January 3, 2009
This is all well, good and easy when you are dealing with paths, however, the real trick is doing it with bitmaps, on a transparent background, when the logo is not a square. Got any tips on that?
brym said on January 15, 2009
Hi Rob. I’m not great in PS, but I managed to apply this to a 3-quarter circle with a flat base. What you need to do is use the Marquee tools on a new layer above your existing graphics. As best you can, try to match the basic outline of your graphics with the Marquee tool, then apply the above effects to the new layer.
When you’re done, you will most likely be left with gradient effects outside the edges of your graphics. To solve this, I selected the Eraser, large enough brush, Opacity at 100% and the Flow at around 70. Then start erasing any left over gradient effects.
Finally, I took the Blur tool to any gradient edges which were still visible.
mike said on June 5, 2009
good tut. really helped
Rated said on July 2, 2009
It’s the best turorial of gloss i’ve found in internet yet
Anonymous said on January 20, 2010
good one !
Anonymous said on January 20, 2010
nice tutorial .
Chris said on March 15, 2010
hey can you tell me how you used the pen tool to make that curved effect? i have a curve, but i cant ’select’ that space. thanks! please email me. thanks again. eko1130@gmail.com
Nine said on May 22, 2010
nice tips gud tuts but i can’t do it :(
shibbir said on August 2, 2010
Thanks u so much. Since long time i was finding this.. and then i found it..Thanks a lot
shibbir said on August 2, 2010
why u can’t do it? tell ur problem?
Silver Jewellery said on September 2, 2010
exact.y what I was looking for, thanks a bunch!
Anonimo said on June 23, 2011
No esiste un plugin o style para poner este efecto a mas de 100 fotos para un catalogo o otra forma que no sea el efecto pluma gracias
Nomad_310 said on June 27, 2011
sir, can’t understand the gradient part, please can i have the psd file of this tutorial? please send it to my email nomad_310@hotmail.com
Nomad_310 said on June 27, 2011
sir, can’t understand the gradient part, please can i have the psd file of this tutorial? please send it to my email nomad_310@hotmail.com
HELP said on June 27, 2011
can’t understand the first step, how do you use gradient tool with pen tool??