Photoshop: Add a Creative Cut-Out Effect to a Photo

Step 1: Duplicate the original layer

Open Online PS (zaixianps.cc) and drag the photo you want to work on into the workspace.

Select the Background layer and press Ctrl + J (⌘ + J on Mac) to create a new layer.

Step 2: Add a fill layer

Click Layer → New → Layer… (or just press Shift + Ctrl + N) and confirm to get an empty layer.

Make sure the new layer sits below the duplicated photo layer. Select it and press Ctrl + Delete (⌘ + Delete on Mac) to fill the whole canvas with the background color (white by default).

Step 3: Draw the cut-out frame

Select the Rectangle tool (U) and draw a square (or rectangle) on the white fill layer. Any size works; aligning it with the photo's main subject usually looks best.

When you're done drawing, make sure the shape layer is still selected.

Step 4: Open Blending Options → Knockout

Double-click the thumbnail of the shape layer to open the Layer Style (Blending Options) window.

• Under Advanced Blending, set Fill Opacity to 0%.
• In Inner Glow or Stroke, find Knockout and choose Shallow (or Deep, depending on the look you want).

When you're finished, the white layer is knocked out by the rectangle and the photo underneath shows through.

Step 5: Add a drop shadow

Still in the Layer Style window, click Drop Shadow on the left.

• Set Opacity to roughly 30%–50% (fine-tune it to suit how light or dark the background is).
• Adjust Distance, Spread and Size until the shadow looks natural.

The shadow gives the cut-out frame a slight sense of depth and makes the effect stand out.

Step 6: Duplicate the cut-out frame

Choose the Move tool (V), hold Alt (Option on Mac) and drag the rectangle to duplicate a cut-out frame with the same size and the same style.

Move the copy to another spot (another part of the photo, for example) and repeat to build a multi-panel cut-out look.

Done! 🎉

Your photo now has the creative cut-out plus drop shadow look. Keep refining the position and the shadow, or add other layer styles (Inner Shadow, Bevel & Emboss) to take it further.