Shadows... left or right?

[rach3975]

Like everything else in scrapping, there have been trends in shadow direction. When I started (12 years ago), almost everyone used 120 degrees (shadow on the bottom right). Then when the fantasy style layouts were very popular (5-ish years ago? Longer?) it seemed like everyone was switching to 45 degrees.

When it came right down to it, I was too lazy to make the switch, LOL. I'd written shadow styles for myself that added the main shadow to the lower right and a tiny opposite shadow for realism. I thought about changing them when the trend changed, but I decided that I didn't see enough of a difference in realism to bother.

 

[xMermaidx]

I do my shadows at 120. It is sometimes really frustrating for me that almost all flairs or clusters are highlighted/shadowed at 45. I wish there shadow options for things like that lol.
I just learned (in PSE) how to get my shadows on their own layers so I can make them more realistic which I am excited about.

 

[bcgal00]

I shadow to the left usually but will tweak them a bit. It wasn't a conscious thought, it was just how the shadowing fell on the first shadow styles I purchased. I got used to it and just stayed with it.

 

[mummyd]

for me it depends on the lighting in the photos or if I add a little lighting effect to the background paper, but mainly my shadows fall to the left