One goal of many digital scrapbookers is to create a digital page that looks just like a tradition layout. Focusing on your drop shadows can help you achieve that goal and create a layout that really stands out just like this page by Lynette Penacho.

Camping Fun by Lynette Penacho, as seen in the May/June 2011 issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine.

Note: These instructions are written for Photoshop. If you're using Photoshop Elements, check back soon for the article with instructions that apply to you.

In Photoshop you can choose to stick with the default settings, or just like photography, you can take it off auto. Play around with the distance, spread, and size sliders to see how they affect your shadow.

Also, try different opacities, colors and blend modes. Linear burn can sometimes produce a drop shadow much more realistic than the default, multiply.

Appeared in:

May/June 2011