Welcome to the Shadow Directory!

Since there are so many different kinds of elements, I thought it would be helpful for you to not only see what a good custom shadow should look like, but to actually watch it being created. The 7 Shadow Directories below provide these examples.

Before Browsing the Directory Here’s what you need to know:

• This is not a comprehensive list of every kind of element you’ll ever use, but there are enough examples that you should be able to adapt the concept to similar elements.
• Just looking at the image of the element and analyzing the shadow may be all you need. If you want to watch the shadow being created, click on the image to open a demo video.
• The videos only explain my reasoning for how I create the custom shadow—not how to do other basic tasks, such as transforming an element or selecting more than one layer in the Layers panel, etc. I expect you to already have those skills.
• The amount of blur varies from element to element, but it’s not always mentioned in the video. You’ll need to decide the amount of blur yourself, based on the thickness of the object and the distance of the shadow.
• In the videos, you will only see the element on a paper background and the tool used to adjust it. You won't see either Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, since it works the same in both programs.
• There is no “right” or “wrong” way to adjust a shadow—different scrapbookers will adjust a shadow in their own unique style, as you will see in some of the video examples. But, just so you know, there are definitely some “bad” ways to create shadows—where it isn’t realistic or it’s too dark, or the element and shadow are above something else on the page that they shouldn’t be over—such as type over a 3D object.

Multiple Examples

I asked Susie Roberts and Jen White to create custom drop shadows, in addition to mine, for some of the elements. I did this so you could see how different experienced scrapbookers create their shadows.

Practicing Drop Shadows

If you’re inexperienced with custom drop shadows, or not sure whether you’re doing it right, try copying some of the examples in this directory. I’ve provided all the elements from this directory in downloadable folders, which you’ll find on each Element Category page.

If you’re already experienced with custom drop shadows, take a look through the Directory to get new ideas. You might want to watch the videos where three scrapbookers give their own interpretation of how the custom shadow should look.