Help Create Shadow

[pdrow]

Hello all,
I extracted a group photo and placed it over a new background - a flag that I reduced the contrast and saturation - now the kids look like they are floating on air. I have seen it done, but can't remember how to make a shadowed area to anchor them. \

I searched the stickies, but didn't see this. I could search google or the tutorial sites, but I am a little pressed for time. This has been a crazy couple of weeks at work leaving little time for photos and processing. I was hoping someone would have a quick and eassy method so I can work on this tomorrow afternoon when I will not have internet access.

thanks,
pam

[grandad35]

I have seen it done, but can't remember how to make a shadowed area to anchor them.


The simplest solution is to select the top layer with the people and add a "layer style" (the leftmost button on the bottom of layers palette). Select "Drop Shadow" and adjust your settings. However, the uniform drop of this shadow is often not acceptable if the background and subject aren't parallel. A more versatile technique is:
1. Copy the layer with just the subjects.
2. Make the bottom of the two identical subject layers active.
3. Lock the transparent pixels.
4. Fill with black (or whatever color you want for your shadow) - remember that the opacity can always be lowered later.
5. Unlock the transparent pixels.
6. "Free Transform" the shadow layer to have the desired offset, shape, etc. to suit the orientation of the subject, background, lighting, etc. If there is a break in the background that wil cause a break in the shadow, you can always select part of the shadow and do the Free Transform on individual sections.
7. Apply a Gaussian blur to suit. You may want to select individual sections and apply different amounts of blur on different areas.
8. Manual clean/adjustment up as required.
9. Adjust opacity to suit.

[pdrow]

Thanks so much :) I really appreciate it. :)
pam