How to make stuff float in Photoshop

How to make stuff float in Photoshop

Objects suspended in mid-air create striking visual effects that make viewers stop and wonder how the photo was taken. This technique transforms ordinary subjects into compelling focal points through simple physics and digital editing.

The method combines practical photography setup with basic Photoshop skills to remove visible support systems, creating clean floating effects perfect for creative portraits, product photography, or artistic compositions.

Watch the Video

Video by Peter McKinnon. Any links or downloads mentioned by the creator are available only on YouTube

Practical Tips for Creating Floating Objects

Essential techniques for capturing and editing suspended objects:

  • Use clear fishing line instead of string or wire to minimize visibility and reduce editing work
  • Create anchor points with bathtub rods between walls or command hooks on surfaces when ceiling attachment isn't possible
  • Test object weight and line strength before shooting to prevent drops during the session
  • Remove fishing line gradually in Photoshop using the spot healing brush tool rather than attempting large selections
  • Work in small sections when editing areas with different background contrasts to maintain realistic textures

More Tutorials about Levitation Photography

Explore advanced techniques for creating floating and levitation effects in your photography.

Create a Levitation Photo Effect in Photoshop
In this video tutorial, you'll learn how to create a flying effect in a photo. The author shows how to use a background image and a levitating model image, explaining each step in detail. He begins by cutting the model out from the original background using the quick selection tool and magnetic lasso tool. He also shows how to refine the selection and blend the image seamlessly into the new background. By the end of the video, you'll see the model appear to be flying, with practical tips provid
Add Realistic Water Drops To A Photo
This Photoshop Effects tutorial guides you in adding realistic water drops to your photos, making it seem as though water has splashed across the image. You'll explore various filters and adjustments to create random shapes that resemble water droplets. The tutorial emphasizes the importance of using simple layer styles to enhance these shapes, focusing on adding shadows and highlights. This technique helps in achieving that lifelike quality you desire in your images. To wrap up the process, a
Paint Figures Using Splashing Water Effects in Photoshop
In this photo manipulation tutorial, Jennifer Cirpici introduces a method for creating a figure that appears to be made from water, using a stock photograph as the foundation. The process may seem complex, but Jennifer breaks it down into manageable steps, making it accessible to anyone interested. Throughout the tutorial, you will learn various essential techniques, such as blending lighting and shadows effectively. She emphasizes the importance of establishing a focal point using gradients, w
Create a Levitation Effect in Photoshop
In this tutorial, you will learn how to create a stunning levitation effect in Adobe Photoshop. The focus is on a woman floating in a dream-like setting, surrounded by ethereal lighting that enhances the magical atmosphere. You will start by working with basic photo manipulation techniques. The process includes cutting out the subject and placing her in a new background, creating the illusion of weightlessness. As you progress, you'll explore how to add unique lighting effects to make the scen

Get tutorials & freebies delivered to you.

Subscribe to the Photoshop Roadmap newsletter, a weekly roundup of new tutorials, insights and quality downloads, trusted by 6500+ readers.

You might also like

How to Create Digital Collages Using Layers and Blend Modes in Photoshop

Digital collages combine multiple images through strategic layering and blending techniques to create compelling visual stories. This beginner-friendly approach demonstrates how to build complex compositions by layering textures, portraits, and objects while using blend modes to seamlessly integrate each element. The process focuses on practical workflow techniques including smart object...

Building Complex Composites Using Generative Fill and Layer Blending

Complex surreal composites require more than just combining random images. The key to professional results lies in systematic layering, consistent masking techniques, and building a reusable library of generated elements. This approach transforms scattered AI-generated content into cohesive artistic visions. The tutorial demonstrates how to deconstruct an existing composite to...

How to Add Any Face to Mount Rushmore Using Photoshop and AI

Adding faces to Mount Rushmore creates striking digital art that combines portrait photography with AI-powered stone carving effects. This technique uses generative AI to transform any portrait into a realistic granite sculpture that matches the lighting, texture, and monumental style of the famous presidential memorial. The process combines traditional selection...

Creating Floral Wreath Overlays in Photoshop

Floral overlays transform ordinary portraits into magical compositions perfect for pet photography, baby portraits, and creative projects. This technique shows you how to build custom floral wreaths using AI-generated base elements and real floral PNG files, creating frames that can hold any subject in the center. The process combines symmetry...

Concept Development and Mood Boarding with Firefly Boards for Fashion Design

Fashion design concept development traditionally requires gathering inspiration from multiple sources, creating mood boards, and iterating through ideas before presenting to clients. Firefly Boards streamlines this entire workflow into a single workspace where you can source inspiration, generate new variations through AI remixing, and organize final concepts into professional presentations....

How to Use Dynamic Text Shapes in Photoshop

The Dynamic Text tool introduced in 2025 was revolutionary for automatic text sizing and layout, but 2026 brings an exciting update that adds shape options to this powerful feature. You can now create circular text, arches, and bow configurations with the same intelligent resizing capabilities that made the original tool...

You’ve successfully subscribed to Photoshop Roadmap
Welcome back! You’ve successfully signed in.
Great! You’ve successfully signed up.
Success! Your email is updated.
Your link has expired
Success! Check your email for magic link to sign-in.