Black Drop Shadows on White Backgrounds

Black drop shadows - tacky or stylish?

[bondjamesbond]

What do you think is the current thinking on this issue? I know a while ago, and I guess still now, there are lots of sites that use black drop shadows on images so they stand out from white backgrounds. Would you class this as stylish or tacky? Of course it would depend on how it's done.

After looking at a number of popular sites that use this technique I see some use a more "blurry" drop shadow (setting 5 on "Size" in Photoshop. Where some use a more solid shadow usually something like setting 3 on "size" in Photoshop.

I also have seen images given a 15 pixel white border with a 1px black border around the image (the border done in css). This doesn't have a drop shadow. Both techniques look good but what are people view points on this?

Thanks.

[limbo]

I never conform to trends if I can avoid it. You always run the risk of looking outdated.

That said, I see nothing wrong with using drop shadows. I certainly wouldn't use them on every photo but the effect can certainly add to the page. I prefer to add shadow effects to headers - text can be enhanced this way.

But there are those sites that reek of "I've just discovered all the filters in photoshop and I'm gonna use them" syndrome. Not good!

It's really a judgement call. If it looks the part use it.

[webcreativz]

My view point is that if you find the Drop Shadow effect jazzy...

Then you should go for the Outer Glow effect. Try it if you have'nt. It gives a good result!

Cheers :-)

[benihana]

i feel drop shadows CAN look good, but tend to work best when done very subtly, i.e. small size and distance, and low opacity.

my 2p

ben

[korkus2000]

I agree. It depends on the situation. Like said before, the outer glow effect in photoshop is a nice alternative. Personally I like strong borcers and not gradients. Usually I just use outlines to punch the picture off the page.

[Jon_King]

Put nothing on a page without reason and purpose. Judge your strokes by what they accomplish so then you are headed in the direction of your choice.

[woren76]

drop shadow is very common to be used in photoshop, i like to keep it very blur and short distance.but it is not nice to use drop shadow on a pixel font :)

[bondjamesbond]

Many thanks to everyone who has posted their thoughts and opinions. I use the standard black text on a white background. I've decided to use a subtle drop shadow on my images as it just adds that extra something that makes the page less flat. I think done subtly it adds a more professional touch.

[Goober]

I think a really good question has been raised, and if I may I'd like to take it a bit further.

"What do you use to give a page depth". I'm talking about multiple layers(watermark?) that really deepens the page.

Thoughts?

Goober

[basenotes]

Two things to note if you are going to use drop shadows:

1. Make sure all the shadows are of the same style (ie blurred / solid / black / grey)

and

2. Make sure the 'light source' for the shadow is coming from the same direction for each one -- there is nothing worse than seeing several different shadow directions on the same page!

[benihana]

Make sure the 'light source' for the shadow is coming from the same direction for each one

depending on the setup of the graphical elements, this may need some consideration. the 'light source' should really be relative to the page, not the individual elements.

e.g. if the source is say coming from the top left (of the page) things in the left hand side will have the shadows underneath, and things further to the right of the page will have shadows more to their right side.

as i say this really depends on how the page is setup, but its worth considering when you put a page together.

ben

[basenotes]

depending on the setup of the graphical elements, this may need some
consideration. the 'light source' should really be relative to the page, not
the individual elements.

e.g. if the source is say coming from the top left (of the page) things in
the left hand side will have the shadows underneath, and things further
to the right of the page will have shadows more to their right side.

Good point -- never thought about it like that -- I was thinking of the more extreme cases where two images next to each other have a top right / and top left light source

[bondjamesbond]

I never thought about that problem either. My 'light source' is coming in at 135 degrees. I am making sure that for everything that I am using shadows on they stay the same direction and of the same type. I've experimented with a number of settings and I have gone with a very subtle shadow. I think it works quite well as while its not blatant, it does give that slight illusion of depth.