How to Add Perspective and Dimension With Cast Shadows
Like drop shadows, cast or perspective shadows add interest to elements on the page. They work to anchor elements on the page, tie components of a composition together, and add a touch of realism — even when used with unrealistic objects and clip art. Cast shadows add perspective and dimension. The first step is to identify an imaginary light source. Unless you are intentionally creating a fantasy world that breaks the rules of light and shadow, cast your shadows using a reasonably placed imaginary light source based on reality. Cast your shadow opposite the light source. Light sources that shine down almost from directly above tend to create shorter shadows. Lights more to the side of an object make longer shadows. A bright beam creates a more pronounced shadow while low light or diffused lighting results in softer shadows. A real cast shadow tends to be darker and more sharp-edged near the object. Further from the object, less light is blocked so the shadow becomes lighter, softer. A more realistic shadow is possible by using a gradient fill or fade from dark to light then selectively blurring the shadow – more blur further from the object casting the shadow, less blur near the object. With a cast shadow, the shadow stays attached to the base of the lamp while the rest of the shadow skews away from the lamp and onto the wall. The shadow makes the flat photo appear three-dimensional but not just floating in space. The upper right and two bottom images show just some of the possible cast shadows including solid and fading, hard and soft edges. When the cast shadow strikes multiple surfaces, such as the ground and a wall, change the angle of the shadow to fit those varied surfaces. It may be necessary to create multiple cast shadows then use only the portion needed for each different surface it crosses.
