[KrystalB]

What would you recommend I do to change/improve the current siggy I have?

Looking for some CC so I can get better at this siggy making thing!! I'm using PS CS5.

Thanks!!

[Julka]

I think it's cute; the layout is nice and balanced

CC:

1. The photo in the frame on the right is a really cute photo; however, framing it doesn't really do it any justice. I think when you frame a photo, you have to consider the background behind the subject and ask yourself whether it's worth keeping. If you have a bit of a messy background or something not overly pretty (i.e. nice park v.s books, sofa, messy living room, etc.), then it's a good idea to cut it out. It distracts from the photos and doesn't add to the siggy. That picture would have been much better cut out and the background replaced with maybe a mask with a pretty paper in it.

2) The other picture is nice, but I'd work on your cutouts; go with a soft eraser brush around the edges and smooth them out so it's not so jagged. But otherwise the cutout is great!

3) Be consistant with your shadowing The cutout doesn't need such a big shadow, but if you do use a big shadow, use it for everything; the brown frame does not have a shadow and the large flowers have a small shadow.

Hope this helps

[MommaDucks]

The shadowing is the first thing I notice, it may be personal taste but the one on the tree, bee, name and cut out seems to wide, where the tiny one on the flower seems smoother, softer, I'd just personally lower the opacity a smidge. Other than that I think Julia nailed it.

[sugary~snails]

I am so not qualified to give CC
I would make the cutout a little bigger as well as julia's suggestion. I am personally a sucker for the pictures taking precedence over elements (just a taste thing)...The main reason I dont do scene signatures. is that I cant get placement down.
I also think it is well Balanced, and agree that the framed picture needs a bigger focus. I find scrappy frames can take away from a picture *if* it is off to a side but again..it is a taste thing.

very cute though! better then anything I turn out

[KrystalB]

Thanks so much for the advice! You're so right about the background of the picture, Julia. Thanks for pointing that out. Ok.. and I know how to use a soft eraser brush... but then how do I smooth them out?

Shadowing is something I'm having a lot of trouble with. When I add a drop shadow and makes the same shadow (size, distance) on all of my elements! The only thing I can change is the opacity for individual shadows. Other than that.. what I do to one shadow, happens to all the shadows.

Any advice on this shadow business??

[ashypoo03]

I would add a bit of a bevel emboss to his name and with the cut out go over it with the blur tool it will help soften the edges

[Admin-pattyandthemoos]

Originally Posted by KrystalB

Thanks so much for the advice! You're so right about the background of the picture, Julia. Thanks for pointing that out. Ok.. and I know how to use a soft eraser brush... but then how do I smooth them out?

Shadowing is something I'm having a lot of trouble with. When I add a drop shadow and makes the same shadow (size, distance) on all of my elements! The only thing I can change is the opacity for individual shadows. Other than that.. what I do to one shadow, happens to all the shadows.

Any advice on this shadow business??

Do you have each of your elements as different layers? You should be able to customize each shadow. If you change the angle of the shadow it will change it on everything but the size and spread you should be able to adjust per layer.

I usually don't put drop shadows on cut outs because it tends to draw attention to any flaws you have. If it were me, I would just get rid of the drop shadow on your cut out. To smooth things out I usually use the magic wand tool, select around the image, feather by 1 pixel, inverse and cut. That helps smooth things out. Then if there are any spots that need extra attention I use a small soft brush and go over it with the blur tool. I try not to overdo that though because otherwise it makes my cut outs look worse.

[MommaTrish]

I tend to do very light soft shadows on cutouts, and only if they are in front of a busy background.
I agree with everything else already said. And personally, I think your yellow background is a bit much, it draws the eye from everything else.

[KrystalB]

Still learning so much!
Thanks!

Trish - thanks for the comment on the yellow background

I appreciate your openness and honesty, gals!!