PS Inner shadow tip

Thought I'd pass this on, though it may be common knowledge amongst photoshopers here. I used to bust my butt trying to get an inner shadow on all for inside edges of image. Here's how to do it easily in PS. Duplicate layer> layer styles> inner shadow. Set the Distance to Zero, then set choke and size to suit your taste. On a 240ppi image, something like Choke 40%. Size 50px. Here's our baby, Linnie, coming home for Christmas...Dave

Very well done Dave. What a lovely gal. And thanks again for the tip -- useful stuff.

Dave Jaseck said:

Thought I'd pass this on, though it may be common knowledge amongst
photoshopers here. I used to bust my butt trying to get an inner
shadow on all for inside edges of image. Here's how to do it
easily in PS. Duplicate layer> layer styles> inner shadow. Set the
Distance to Zero, then set choke and size to suit your taste. On a
240ppi image, something like Choke 40%. Size 50px. Here's our
baby, Linnie, coming home for Christmas...Dave

Click to expand...

Looks great on that beautiful photo. But zero for the distance just seems too je ne sais quoi. I can see going down to 3, but 5 or more seems to give me a warmer feeling. Thanks. Bill

Dave Jaseck said:

Thought I'd pass this on, though it may be common knowledge amongst
photoshopers here. I used to bust my butt trying to get an inner
shadow on all for inside edges of image. Here's how to do it
easily in PS. Duplicate layer> layer styles> inner shadow. Set the
Distance to Zero, then set choke and size to suit your taste. On a
240ppi image, something like Choke 40%. Size 50px. Here's our
baby, Linnie, coming home for Christmas...Dave

Click to expand...

--
Oly C-2100 UZ, C-210

Bill..Thanks, as I understand it, as you increase the distance, you apply the inner shadow as determined by the angle which will, as increased, will apply it to two of the four sides. By zero'ing the distance, you apply it equally to all four sides of the image...Dave

Bill M said:

Dave Jaseck said:

Thought I'd pass this on, though it may be common knowledge amongst
photoshopers here. I used to bust my butt trying to get an inner
shadow on all for inside edges of image. Here's how to do it
easily in PS. Duplicate layer> layer styles> inner shadow. Set the
Distance to Zero, then set choke and size to suit your taste. On a
240ppi image, something like Choke 40%. Size 50px. Here's our
baby, Linnie, coming home for Christmas...Dave

Click to expand...

--
Oly C-2100 UZ, C-210

Click to expand...

That's the way I understand it. The greater the distance, the more the difference in shadow size between opposite sides. And there is nothing at all wrong with all four sides being equal for special effect. But since it does does not occur in nature and it does look like a shadow, it would feel more natural (to me) if it were slightly unequal. That's what I meant to say. I still like your effect! Bill

Dave Jaseck said:

Bill..Thanks, as I understand it, as you increase the distance, you
apply the inner shadow as determined by the angle which will, as
increased, will apply it to two of the four sides. By zero'ing the
distance, you apply it equally to all four sides of the image...Dave

Click to expand...

Bill...We're on the same page. My original intent for this picture was equal shadow on all 4 sides. Would use a diifferent distance setting for making a fake matte effect...Dave

Bill M said:

Dave Jaseck said:

Bill..Thanks, as I understand it, as you increase the distance, you
apply the inner shadow as determined by the angle which will, as
increased, will apply it to two of the four sides. By zero'ing the
distance, you apply it equally to all four sides of the image...Dave

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I understand. I worship your ideas. I have used several of your techniques today alone, including your original watercolor which I used this morning to salvage a useless blurry bluebird image. I use it ALL the time since I'm the world's worst photographer.
Before:

Dave Jaseck said:

Bill M said:

Dave Jaseck said:

Bill..Thanks, as I understand it, as you increase the distance, you
apply the inner shadow as determined by the angle which will, as
increased, will apply it to two of the four sides. By zero'ing the
distance, you apply it equally to all four sides of the image...Dave

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--
Oly C-2100 UZ, C-210

Dave -

Nice one - I like it. Have been doing a similar thing with a DropShadow on the inner but I like this Recessed Shadow idea so I've hurriedly put together an Action that does it all mostly with a click , but with a stop mainly to allow you to choose individually the Matte color - then also to decide individually (as it takes your fancy) the SIZE of the surround. Hopefully it can be d/loaded here ..
http://www.nich31.freeserve.co.uk/PSactions/
..just click on the .atn to 'Save' where you want as usual

..but don't blame me if it doesn't work for all - should do , but you always find you've got lost soimewhere. Anyway, will be pleased to hear of any probs anybody encounters

EJN

Dave Jaseck said:

Thought I'd pass this on, though it may be common knowledge amongst
photoshopers here. I used to bust my butt trying to get an inner
shadow on all for inside edges of image. Here's how to do it
easily in PS. Duplicate layer> layer styles> inner shadow. Set the
Distance to Zero, then set choke and size to suit your taste. On a
240ppi image, something like Choke 40%. Size 50px. Here's our
baby, Linnie, coming home for Christmas...Dave

Click to expand...

(cut the pic for Phil's sake !!)

EJN

On another note, I like the fact you can change effects to get glows instead of shadows etc by changing the blending mode in the effects menu to screen instead of multiply and then black to white, etc.

Dave Jaseck said:

Thought I'd pass this on, though it may be common knowledge amongst
photoshopers here. I used to bust my butt trying to get an inner
shadow on all for inside edges of image. Here's how to do it
easily in PS. Duplicate layer> layer styles> inner shadow. Set the
Distance to Zero, then set choke and size to suit your taste. On a
240ppi image, something like Choke 40%. Size 50px. Here's our
baby, Linnie, coming home for Christmas...Dave

Click to expand...

Dave, Very nice with four sides done.

By the way, the soft focus affect you used in this picture looks a bit softer than other soft focus pics you have done. Is this the Soft focus that is in Danny's DP review actions or have you modified it?

Thanks Norm...Actually it appears a bit softer than the original, probably small file etc. I like to do the diffusion manually because it's easier and simpler than looking for the action. But here's what I've been doing with my diffusion:

New background copy, add 10 pix gaussian blur, fade to 40%, add mask to the layer, brush in the eyes, lips, jewelry or anything else I want sharp. When finished with that, Layer> new. Then hold the alt key, while going to Layer> merge visable. This gets me the sum of all previous layers. Then I go to USM, set amount for 18%, radius 50px, threshold 0. This gives the picture a bit of a pop without destroying the softening. Very easy and quick to do...Dave

Norm Ullock said:

Dave, Very nice with four sides done.
By the way, the soft focus affect you used in this picture looks a
bit softer than other soft focus pics you have done. Is this the
Soft focus that is in Danny's DP review actions or have you
modified it?

Click to expand...