Shadows and Photo Effects

[ashersmommy]

I'm just starting to get back into scrapping again after a hiatus and I'm still using shadow styles from way back when. I notice that some people have more definition to their shadows and although I know how to adjust them, I'm curious if everyone tends to use more of a style approach like I do to this or if you adjust shadows with every layout. Any tips on making my elements/papers pop a little more with shadows? I'm using PS CS5.

Also was wondering if you tend to use photo effects a lot and if so which are your favorites from the store? I get impatient and don't want to fiddle around with my photos too much so actions are usually a good way to go for me. ;)

[YepBrook]

Can you give me some examples of layouts that have the look you're interested in achieving? That would be helpful.

I use some basic actions that I made myself to boost brightness and sharpen (usually my actions are just: levels, high pass filter, curve, and a transparent color overlay of some sort). I also have a B&W action called "Gorman Holbert BW Conversion"... it's awesome, can't remember if I bought it or got it for free. I also grabbed some free ones online... CoffeShop, MCP, and a few free ones by My 4 Hens. If you google 'free photo actions' you can find some good stuff. :)

[julifish]

There are some awesome shadowing tutorials (https://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/tutorials/index.php/category/shadowing/) in the Tutorial section you might want to check out before purchasing actions. These really help give you some different looks.

I also like to search on You Tube to find someone that shows you how to do it step by step.

[ashersmommy]

I guess I feel like many times my layouts look flatter to me and I've tried adjusting shadow settings since then. I have slightly darkened and increased the size of the shadows for certain objects on a layout, but I'm always second guessing myself. Maybe I'm just being too critical lol. I may have to play with making some new actions, too, like suggested.

[anelia]

I think your shadows are perfectly fine. However, you might want to try to play with them a bit. I personally don't use styles/actions for shadows. Instead, what I do is the following:
1. I start applying shadow to the top elements of my layout (usually a flower).
2. I copy this "layer style" (right click on the layer-->copy layer style)
3. Paste this shadow (layer style) to all elements and then adjust each that I don't like enough because sometimes the layer style that I pasted is either too dark or too light; too shallow or too deep so I adjust it to my liking.
I sometimes like to make a layer of that shadow style and warp it a bit for a more interesting look (e.g. on ribbons' ends).
Do check the tutorials, I believe they're very good.

[SeattleSheri]

Andrea, I would definitely check out our tutorial section on shadows, there are lots of great tips included. I wrote a couple of them way back when. There are a lot of effective techniques and there is definitely no one size fits all for everyone :)

[SeattleSheri]

I think your shadows are perfectly fine. However, you might want to try to play with them a bit. I personally don't use styles/actions for shadows. Instead, what I do is the following:
1. I start applying shadow to the top elements of my layout (usually a flower).
2. I copy this "layer style" (right click on the layer-->copy layer style)
3. Paste this shadow (layer style) to all elements and then adjust each that I don't like enough because sometimes the layer style that I pasted is either too dark or too light; too shallow or too deep so I adjust it to my liking.
I sometimes like to make a layer of that shadow style and warp it a bit for a more interesting look (e.g. on ribbons' ends).
Do check the tutorials, I believe they're very good.
I don't know what program you use, but did you know you can save your own layer styles so you don't have to recreate them with each page? Everyone has a different method, but I find being able to reuse the styles I frequently use to be a lot easier than making loads of adjustments on each page. I have about 7-8 shadows that I regularly use on my pages. I do make adjustments, but it definitely reduces the amount of time I spend modifying the layers.

[zakirahzakaria]

I love using pre-made shadow styles, and usually I'd tweak them a bit to fit the page that I'm scrapping. I'd use pre-made shadows when I put papers & embellishments, and then after I'm done, I'd take a final look at the overall page and tweak some element/paper shadows if needed.

[sastampink]

I pretty much only use Jenn Barrette's styles from the shoppe for my shadows, Im lazy like that.
https://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/sweetshoppe/product.php?productid=21075&page=1

[dodie]

I also so not use actions with shadows. I enjoy playing around with the adjustments. Like Anelia, I start with the top elements. Most of the time copy/paste the layer style to most elements. Thanks for the tutorials learned some new things too.

[jacinda]

Here's a tutorial I wrote, about how I do my shadows: https://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/tutorials/index.php/2012/06/lighten-up-baby/
At the end of the tutorial there's a link to a free shadow style by Krystal. I use hers ALL the time because I don't like really dark shadows. I like the page to look more natural. I see some lovely pages in the gallery that are overwhelmed with super dark shadows, and often think that if they'd only lighten their shadows a bit they'd have a stunning page.