Natural shadow

Start with the right photo.

Use an object with a visible base and specify the surface and light direction.

What to expect

Add a grounded contact shadow matching the light direction without altering the product.

Keep an eye on

Recognizable identity, silhouette and important visible details. Compare the output to the original before using it.

Make it yours, step by step.

1. Adjust the recipe to describe your subject and preferred background.
2. Copy the complete recipe, then open ChatGPT.
3. Upload your photo in ChatGPT and paste the recipe. The short code alone is not an official command.
4. Inspect identity, text and proportions. Ask for a targeted correction if needed.

Choose the change deliberately.

A convincing shadow starts at the object's contact point and changes softness with distance. Choose a light direction that agrees with existing highlights so the new grounding cue does not contradict the photograph.

Review and refine the result

If the object appears to hover, reduce the gap at its base. If the shadow resembles a pasted silhouette, soften its far edge and reduce opacity. A lighter shadow can be enough on a bright tabletop.

A related direction, and why

/FLOAT — A levitation composition intentionally creates separation; it needs a different relationship between object height and shadow.

These are editing suggestions, not additional test observations. Read the practical guide or use the before/after checklist.

Where this effect helps — and its limits.

Useful for grounding a product in a studio scene. The shadow must meet the contact point; a displaced shadow can make the object appear to float.

Input advice and use cases are editorial guidance, not additional test results.

Notes from recorded tests.

These notes describe the named runs, which may use a different subject from the comparison above. They do not guarantee results on another input or a future model. See our testing method.