A learning opportunity for me

[Jerry D]

This is what I've got so far. I added noise to the dog and worked on the shadows.

 

[IamSam]

Much better. Really take a look at the other shadows in the tree image. The sun seems to be at about 10:00 and low on the horizon, how would the shadowing be cast on the dogs face?

 

[Jerry D]

I used Hoogle's explanation from this post....https://www.photoshopgurus.com/forum/general-photoshop-board/32240-how-add-shadow-darkness-face-photoshop-help.html

 

[IamSam]

Great! Hoogle's described technique is less effective but basically the same thing as adding the curves adjustment layers and using their layer masks.

Here's the Puppy

Here's the Puppy after you added and clipped the dark Curves adjustment (with a white layer mask) to the Puppy layer.


The Curves adjustment comes with a layer mask.
If the mask is white you can see the effect of the Curves adjustment.
If the mask is black you can't see the effect of the Curves adjustment.

You want your mask to be black.

Select the mask an then you use Cmd/Cntrl + I to invert the mask

Use your Brush Tool on the Curves Adjustment layer mask with white as your foreground color, then you can reveal the dark curves adjustment.



This was in the video I showed you.

 

[IamSam]

You can use two Curves adjustment layer clipped to the same image layer.
Works the same way.

Here's the Puppy with a bright Curves adjustment layer.


Reverse the mask (make it black), then use the Brush Tool to add the brightness to the image.

Here's an exaggerated example of light and dark being added in a completely accurate and controlled manner.