Drop Shadows in PSE5

[Leslie]

Look, I'm sorry to bother people, but I run up against a brick wall when I try to find out how to do drop shadows correctly in Photoshop Elements 5. I can find where it is, I can open up that bit, but I'm feeling just too stupid to work it out.
Is there someone who can point me in a correct direction? Um, in baby steps?
I was having fun until I got stuck here. I know I'm new, and with time knowledge and experience will come, I'm just feeling odd that I have come to a halt.
Somethings just seem to take me longer than others to get my head around.
Like - I can't ever remember how to do a spreadsheet, and when I look under the bonnet of my car I chew my nails.
Putting drop shadows in - is giving me the same feeling.

[essee]

Hi Lesley, I know how you feel because I was just as frustrated a short time ago when I began. I am quoting exactly what I was taught so this is not ME telling you what to do, as I am still learning too.

When you apply the drop shadow always select the "Low" shadow. The shadow on your picture will be quite dark. Too dark and heavy in fact. Then you will see a sun/starburst on the right hand side of the layer in the Layer Palette. Double click on that and the drop shadow adjustment box will appear.

Move the first slider over to 3, and the second slider over to about 5 or 6. I leave the Opacity at 75% as it shows. Click on OK and your shadow should be much decreased on your photo or mat.

I was told that less is best, you only want a subtle shadow.

I hope this helps. Let me know if it was not clear enough for you.

Sandra

[Emma]

the least amount of steps is to choose the Shape tool and then from the Styles drop down box click open the menu and choose Drop Shadows category and drag that out onto the object you want to add a style to.

The better way is to find in Window>Styles/Effects palette, choose Layer styles icon, then in the drop down menu choose Drop Shadow.

Choose soft or low, then double click your starburst icon in the layers palette or Layer>Layer Style>Style Settings to edit it and make it smaller. Less is more.

Have you tried the Fist Page tutorial for PSE? It shows the first method using the Shape Tool. I've also just redone the PSE class for the newer versions, shows the second method for versions 2-6