Photos and Drop Shadows
ncdesign (35 points) | Mon, 2009-11-23 17:36Here's my question: I think it's very hard, if not not near impossible, to use a drop shadow without compromising your design. In very rare instances, when the shadow itself is the point, or it is very softly stylized it might work. But in most applications it simply feels dated. Yes? No?
I also feel like the use of washed out photography as a background falls into the same category. I'm really curious to hear people's thoughts on this...
Thanks all!
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not at all, drop shadows can add depth and a tactile quality to a design if used correctly. Using them for pure decoration is another matter.
I would never class using them as compromising my compositions, but I only use them where I see the need. They can be very useful. Though rarely have I laid on a layerstyle drop shadow without separating it, and tweaking.
If you chuck one on everything it will look a mess, but if something needs lifting from the page, used selectively, there is no other way (apart from pop-up! :P)
living on dreams and custard creams.
Thanks for the feedback! Can you give me an example of an instance where you think it would be helpful in emphasizing or lifting something from the page? Or even a link to a design you think uses this approach well?
Agree with monkey. I use them sparingly; ie
the apple world looked too stark without the shadow; needed to give it some form
"Art -- the one achievement of Man which has made the long trip up from all fours seem well advised." - James Thurber
Great example, 3dogmama. I agree that it helps to give a context to certain designs. What I see a lot, though, is a drop shadow behind a photo. As if it is "floating." It's like the "outerglow" effect in Photoshop...just a jazzy treatment that's usually in lieu of a much more deliberate and effective treatment or design.
Why are you so concerned with the overuse of a filter? Gradients, drop shadows, inner and outer glows, bevels and embosses. Each and everyone of these filters is used daily by thousands of designers. It's up to you how you use them. If one idea doesn't work for you, don't use it.
I think you are confusing design with someone who knows how to apply layerstyles in photoshop to make a design 'jazzy'!
living on dreams and custard creams.
I'm going to guess you're disagreeing with someone and need to settle a bet. ;)
You're talking about using a drop shadow to make it look like a photo is lying on top of the page instead of as part of the page. Question is, does it fit into the overall design or not? Funny though, here's a quick job I did that uses both drop shadow and a faded background. http://www.craigtaylorshirts.com/files/images/columbus-day.jpg
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No bet involved. We're having discussions as part of our organization's rebranding, and we're trying to give some middle of the road direction to our design firm. What I know, is that design should be like the application of makeup: the whole point is to make it look like you're not wearing any at all. If the drop shadows and all of these effects are used simply to be fancy and gain attention, then I feel it takes away from the overall design.
I think your example is spot on, and a great reference for how to use these effects as components of a larger design, instead of the focus of the design itself.
Sorry if I'm being too nebulous with all of this...
like anything that's easy to do, it gets overused. that doesn't mean it has no place, it just means you need to be competent enough to know when it's appropriate and when it's not.
Thanks you for the post.
Hi all!
I've just visited this forum. Happy to get acquainted with you. Thanks.
My only problem with shadows is when they are used wrong. Filters on demand definitely add to the proliferation of improbable shadows - it's so easy to throw a filter on something and get a shadow that people don't even consider the art itself, imo. Here's the perfect example - this actually comes from a blog where some... ahem... "expert" is showing you how to make a "better" shadow...
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See the problem here? Could a shadow like that exist in the real 3-dimensional world? I see these all the time. Instead of enhancing the art, all that does is tell the viewer you have a problem with spacial relationships.