canva glow effects, canva photo editing

Canva Glow Effect | 3 Ways to Add Glow Effects in Canva

There can be many tools and hacks you can use to add Canva glow effect around images, objects, pictures and fonts etc. Adding glow effects in Canva can be very simple and can be performed with photo Editing tools such as “shadow” or “Duotone” or creating glow around objects with certain glowing elements.

Let’s explore how glow effects can be used in Canva photo effects or how to make an image glow in Canva.

1.How to add a Glow Effect in Canva Using”Glow” Feature

Here is an example of how to make image glow in Canva.I have selected an image of the statue of Buddha. Let’s find ways to add a glow effect around his head.

Beside using the “glow” feature in Canva picture editing tools, I have also chosen an element by typing in “light effects” in the element section. You can see the light effect element I have chosen in the last picture of the following gallery.




Here are the steps that you can take to add a canva glow effect to any object.

  • First of all, you will choose a photo as in the example below.
  • Secondly you will duplicate the photo and work on one photo. You will reuse the duplicated photo later when finished adding the glow effects.
  • After that you will detach the photo from the background and remove the background of the photo using the bg remover in “Edit image” options.
image editing canva, glow effect canva,removing background in canva
  • Since you are adding glow to only the head part, you can remove the body part by simply using the handles as shown in the picture.
photo editing in canva,
  • Choose the glow effect in the Edit image →shadow→glow.(Click on the “Edit image” button in the top toolbar)
  • Click on the three lines to make adjustments to the glow effect. You can play with size, transparency and blur of the image. Also choose the shade of the glow.
  • After adding effect to the disengaged head part, copy it and put it back on the original photo.
  • Make sure the duplicated image with the glow effect is positioned correctly over the original image. You can use the alignment tools in Canva to ensure perfect alignment.
glow effect in canva, canva glow effect,how to add glow in canva
glow effect around an object, Canva photo editing, photo editor glow effect,glow effect canva,how to add glow in canva




The glow effect will always show better on a darker background. The glow color can be selected according to the image color, though usually a while or golden glow effect is a common choice for all image types. Here is another example of adding glow around an image in Canva.

How to Experiment Adding a Glow Effect in Canva

1.For this experiment, I used an image of a rose without background.

2. I clicked on the edit image button and chose shadow. Here is where you can play with different sizes, colors, blur amount and intensity of your shadow. The images below are few examples.

how to add a glow effect in canva, glow effect canva,
how to make an image glow in canva,how to add glow around image in canva
canva add glow to image,how to add glow effect in canva

3. I experimented using light pink shade in image 1 which is showing a subtle pink halo around the rose.

4. For the second time, I used white shade reducing the intensity. The rose is now showing a clear white glow around.

5. The third time was using highest intensity of white color with an increased shadow size and reduced blur amount.This created a sharp outline of the white shadow.

These are just few examples of adding glow effect in Canva around an image using the “shadow” feature in image editing tools. You can experiment with other images and decide what kind of glow suits your needs best.




2.How to Make an Image glow in Canva using Elements

One way of adding glow behind objects in by choosing a light effects element and sending it behind the object. Just as in the same picture, I have selected a glow “light effects” in elements and adjusted it behind Buddha’s head.

canva elements, canva glow elements,how to add glow in canva,glow effect canva
light effects in canva, canva image editor,canva glow effect image,how to add glow in canva,glow effect canva




3.Canva Glow Effect with Duotone Photo Editing

One way of adding glow effect in Canva is to use “Duotone” Feature in “Image Editing.” You can chose a tone of your choice, change the image to another tone and place it behind the original image to illuminate it. Here is an example:

canva duotone effects, glow effect canva,how to add glow in canva
canva glow effects with duotone, canva duotone feature,glow effect canva,how to add glow in canva, canva glow effect image




For this image you can duplicate the item or elements which is a pile of books in this case. Then you can edit the duplicated element in Duotone effects and select amber tone in the menu. For this example, I have changed the amber duotone to yellow and white and then moved the original book element on the top of the Duo toned element.

Note: You will also need to increase the size of all elements you are pushing behind the original elements. Adjust them with handles.

Additionally, you can add light effects element to your glow elements to enhance the quality of the glow effect, as shown in the picture above.




Light Effects in Canva for glow effects

You can enhance your images with multiple glow and light effect elements. Some of the light effects and glow images found in Canva are shown in the picture. Also notice how the glow or light rings are used in the picture.

canva glow effects, canva light effects, Photo editor glow effect,
add glow to image, adding glow to an image in canva,
canva glow elements, canva image editing, canva glow effect image,how to add glow in canva, glow effect canva,

You can experiment with multiple options to find glow effects in Canva. You can increase, decrease or adjust the size of glow elements like all other elements. Experiment with some photos and you will find new ways of illuminating objects and photos in Canva.







Scroll to Top