Photoshop or Photoshop Elements for Drop Shadows?

[GodBlessAmerica]

Still trying to decide between a Photoshop/LR subscription or Photoshop Elements. I have CS5 on my 15" MacBook, so I am used to using the drop shadows on that. I found out that none of
my saved drop shadow styles are visible to load on my iMac in the new version of Photoshop Elements. I also loved being able to put my drop shadows on a separate layer, so that I can put a slight DS on the opposite edge to make my elements "pop" more. Any suggestion on how to do this in the meantime is appreciated. I suppose I just loved Photoshop too much. Can everyone please tell me their reasons for choosing one over the other.
Thank you for all help.
Jan
aka:GodBlessAmerica

 

[bestcee]

Hey Jan,

For putting shadows on a separate layout in Photoshop Elements, you can do it, but it's not super easy. @keepscrappin Kayla does it, and and can tell you the process!

I know Cheryl (Gonewiththewind) has a video on how to separate the shadows in PSE11, I'm not sure if the process has changed much?

I stick with PS/LR for now, but it's mostly because of LR. I've been experimenting with Affinity, and I do like that program. I just haven't found a good replacement for my LR that has made me want to move my catalog yet.

 

[Aerobigirl]

I use PSE. Putting my shadows on a separate layer is a bit awkward, but I do it for anything that I want to stand out. I'm sure there are a ton of ways to do this more elegantly, yet this does work...

1) Make a copy of the item you want shadowed, on the layer below your item.
2) Using the paint tool, paint the lower layer black (or if you want a colored shadow, pick a dark tone of that other color - deep brown also looks good on top of browns, tans, yellows.
3) On the black layer, apply the following - filter, blur, gaussian blur. I use a blur between 8 and 17, depending on how far I want something to pop from the background.
4) Drop the opacity - I use about 40%
5) Move the shadow over as desired to follow direction of light.

 

[GodBlessAmerica]

Hey Jan,

For putting shadows on a separate layout in Photoshop Elements, you can do it, but it's not super easy. @keepscrappin Kayla does it, and and can tell you the process!

I know Cheryl (Gonewiththewind) has a video on how to separate the shadows in PSE11, I'm not sure if the process has changed much?

I stick with PS/LR for now, but it's mostly because of LR. I've been experimenting with Affinity, and I do like that program. I just haven't found a good replacement for my LR that has made me want to move my catalog yet.

Starting to think sticking with PS/LR if my way to go. Less stress. Guess I got used to the $$ program and there is no going back. Just easier overall.

 

[GodBlessAmerica]

I use PSE. Putting my shadows on a separate layer is a bit awkward, but I do it for anything that I want to stand out. I'm sure there are a ton of ways to do this more elegantly, yet this does work...

1) Make a copy of the item you want shadowed, on the layer below your item.
2) Using the paint tool, paint the lower layer black (or if you want a colored shadow, pick a dark tone of that other color - deep brown also looks good on top of browns, tans, yellows.
3) On the black layer, apply the following - filter, blur, gaussian blur. I use a blur between 8 and 17, depending on how far I want something to pop from the background.
4) Drop the opacity - I use about 40%
5) Move the shadow over as desired to follow direction of light.

Thank you. I seem to remember doing this a long time ago. I am very old. 69 going on 90.

 

[keepscrappin]

@GodBlessAmerica Jan,
I do separate my shadows in PSE. I use an old action that is no longer available to do it, but the ways mentioned above by @Aerobigirl and the video Cheryl has on youtube are also ways to separate the shadow layer.

Mommyish also has a set of shadow styles in the store that can be used in PS and PSE that also includes an action to separate the shadows for PSE. However, the action only separates shadows made with that style set. There is a video in the product description showing how the action works, so click the image below to see if that would work for you.



In either case of which program you use, it sounds like you're looking for some new shadow styles since you can't access the ones on your old macbook. This shadow style set will give you a more custom shadow set with one click.



It works in PSCC and PSE. I use the paper5 style all the time on word strips and such. Sometimes I separate the shadow myself and warp, and sometimes I just leave as is. The added gradient / lighting effects really give that custom look without all the extra work.

And this set by Fiddle-dee-dee is my go-to shadow style set for every layout.


Hope that helps you decide!

 

[janedee]

I use Mommyish shadow styles almost all the time and create a separate layer in PSC to change angles, etc.

 

[littlekiwi]

Mommyish also has a set of shadow styles in the store that can be used in PS and PSE that also includes an action to separate the shadows for PSE. However, the action only separates shadows made with that style set. There is a video in the product description showing how the action works, so click the image below to see if that would work for you.



In either case of which program you use, it sounds like you're looking for some new shadow styles since you can't access the ones on your old macbook. This shadow style set will give you a more custom shadow set with one click.



It works in PSCC and PSE. I use the paper5 style all the time on word strips and such. Sometimes I separate the shadow myself and warp, and sometimes I just leave as is. The added gradient / lighting effects really give that custom look without all the extra work.

And this set by Fiddle-dee-dee is my go-to shadow style set for every layout.

I was going to reply to this yesterday but forgot. @keepscrappin highlighted what I use most in PSE which is for 95% of my shadow needs it's Fiddle Dee Dee's set then occasionally I'll use Style 263 for stickers from Mommyish. I know that style set also has an action for separating the style into its own layer but it's never really been something I've been interested in so haven't explored further.