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Drop Shadows

Ink and Pixels

Ink and Pixels

Active Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2012
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I usually do my own drop shadows. I've set up actions in PS for the ones I use all the time. I'm pretty new around here and as I browse around the gallery I'm seeing such great shadowing techniques. Really nice stuff! Help! I think mine could use a bit of pizzaz. So.. Do you mostly do your own? Any must-know techniques? Do you have a favorite shadow set? Can anyone recommend some to purchase?

Thanks for your help!
 
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I use only my own shadows and it depends on elements I´ve used...Different shadows on paper embelies, real flowers, bows, stitches...I change color of shadow, size,... Just always try make it look realistic...

I know many ladies uses actions and Sahlin has these:
https://the-lilypad.com/store/product.php?productid=5394&cat=102&page=1
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I've always done my own and it definitely takes time to learn and understand how to do well. Even now, I'm sure mine could be better so I'm always looking to improve. Krista has a great tutorial on her blog you might like - How To Create Realistic Shadows
I've never used actions for mine so I can't really recommend anything, though I know some of the talented ladies around here do, so I'm sure someone will point you in the right direction :)
 
Peppermint also has some shadowing tutorials on her blog. I use the Sahlin shadows quite often but tweak them.
 
I use Krista's layer styles a lot too and then I do a lot of warping on strings or papers or whatever to get move realism.
 
I create my own shadows by changing the colours of my shadows.. by warping it .. to make it look more realistic.. hope this is helping!!
 
I always start with either Krista's shadows or the 2 sets I have from way back that K-Studio put out (not sure if she still designs or has them anymore?) and then I always tweak from there with the things I learned in Peppermint's tutorial, which is nothing short of AMAZING!!
 
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I rely on shadow styles for all my shadowing - I find they look much better than the ones I do on my own. I guess I just don't have the eye for it! Plus even if I don't love how the style looks, it's a good place to start and then I tweak them til I'm happy with look. (I use Peppermint's shadow styles.)
 
My shadows suck. I always say I'm going to try to do better, then I'm like SCREW IT and I do them the same way I've been doing them. LOL
 
Some great tips here - I knew you all could help me! I think I'm going to pick up a pack to start with and check out the tutorials for some help on how to improve. Thank you!
 
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You don't want to get me started on shadows. :lol My shadowing takes longer than creating the actual page. Each and every layer gets its own special unique heavily modified shadow based on one of my own shadow styles. Then it gets created into a layer, and THEN that layer gets all sorts of fun stuff done to it. And sometimes... one layer can end up with 6 or 7 shadow layers if I'm feeling really finicky. It gets a different shadow amount and type for each thing that is under it.
And apparently I use a very odd and random shadow angle as well. (Or so says Christine.)
 
Trish - I just clicked on over to your gallery - holy cow! Awesome work! Your shadows are amazing.. I think I need to get a little pickier! I pretty much just use my shadow actions and call it a day. Will work on them.:)
 
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I purchased One Little Bird's drop shadow set... best $3.50 i ever spent, it saves me a lot of time and most of the time they come out looking spot on. i take too long as it is for a layout, so its easier for me to just click a button and have it applied for me. lol
 
I'm a shadow style tweaker. lol Once I apply the style (I have a few sets that I use, but Krista's styles are my fave) I'll either tweak the settings a bit or I'll put the shadow on its own layer and warp it or smudge it until my inner perfectionist is satisfied. I learned a lot about tweaking shadows from Peppermint's tutorial, and TLP's Laura McCandless has a great two-part tutorial (part 1 / part 2) over at My Scrapbook Art.

I used to be like Trish and would spend more time on my shadows than I did on the actual page....until the day I was running behind on a CT deadline and I didn't have time to do any major fussing with my shadows. So when that layout got compliments about the shadowing I was a bit floored and realized that all the obsessive tweaking I usually did probably wasn't noticeable by anyone but me anyway. *facepalm* I still spend time on my shadowing, I just don't tweak every single shadow on my page anymore. lol
 
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