Creating highlights and shadows

Creating highlights and shadows can really make any image even better. By creating an empty layer filled with 50% grey, changing the blend mode of the layer to softlight . You can use that layer to burn and dodge and create a feeling of depth. You can remove small unwanted shadows this way as well as create more contrast by selectivly burning the shadows. If you want to add a natural looking highlight, create an empty layer above your retouching layers. Draw a white line with the pencil tool on the area in which you want to create the highlight. Go to Filter>Blur>Gaussian and blur the line until you create a natural looking highlight. Then you can work with the layer opacity to make it look as natural as possible. If the highlight is too large you van add a layer mak filled with black and paint in the area with white using the brush tool.