Shadows on a Dark BG?

[MissPotts]

Ok I will finally ask. Can I get some tips on shadowing a dark background? I love black but get annoyed with the shadows. I usually shadow on a different BG then put my dark one in. Any tips?

[AquaRuby]

I don't really have any tips, I just use shadows no matter the background. Although I do tend to shy away from really dark backgrounds for that reason too. It's almost like you lose the depth of your project that way.

[MissPotts]

I love dark BGs and shadows. That is why I will shadow on a light BG and then replace it with my dark so I at least know a shadow is there.

[MissMint]

Hmmm...I see your point. There aren't too many secrets. The best you can do it put your shadow to the darkest black there is if it's on a black background. ??? Sorry that wasn't very helpful!

[MissPotts]

lol2

[mturnidge]

Yeah, not really any awesome tricks here... on really dark BGs I just use black shadows and take up the opacity if I need to... and I make the shadows a little bigger than I would on a light colored BG.

[JamWest1007]

The other thing you might try is using your Burn Tool. Depending on how dark your background is, this can work really well...even on deep blacks...especially if there is overlap onto both your dark background and say a lighter element/embellishment. Then it sometimes seems like the black or high opacity shadow that works well on the dark background looks off on the lighter element.

I am working in PSE, so to make it easier to keep the "shadow" under control, I generally ctrl-click on the item I am shadowing to get my marching ants, and then choose Select>Modify>Expand and adjust to 12-25 pixels depending on what I am shadowing...greater for a "thick" item like a flower, smaller for a "flatter" item like a photo. This expands the area around my item and allows me to work on the background layer, or other elements, with my burn tool, without getting too large a shadow. You can change the brush you use for different degrees of hardness, and adjust your exposure as needed to increase or decrease the "darkness" of your shadow, or burn.

I'm not sure if this helps, I've never really tried explaining this approach to anyone, but it has really worked well for me. If you want to give it a try, but need clarification, let me know and I'll offer what I can.

Good luck! Shadows can be a challenge, but they really can make all the difference in a layout. :bounce:

[shades of bliss]

Great tip Jammie!

[MissPotts]

Thanks Jammie!

[ingridfasquelle]

Sounds like a great tip Jammie ! Absolutely have to try this ! Thanks !

[mturnidge]

YEAH, awesome tip! Sometimes I even use the DODGE tool to lighten parts of a shadow... if I'm feeling ambitious! lol2