For $600, you can have a Microtek ScanMaker i900 with 5-inch by 14-inch scanning bed. This flatbed uses a dual-scan technology for scanning film. It connects via FireWire or USB 2.0. It comes with ScanWizard Pro software and uses ICE technology, a very good tool for photographers.

Super Coolscan 5000 ED is a 4,000 dpi film scanner with a new light source and a new ED lens. It offers an 8-bit mode and Scan Image Enhancement technology, and incorporates fourth-generation ICE technology. This one can give you a clean scan for a price of $1,050.

If you need a scanner that will enable you to scan an old film, use Microtek ArtixScan 120tf. This film scanner is similar to Nikon 9000 ED and can scan medium-format film up to 6 cm by 9 cm. Only, it does not have ICE technology. It has SilverFast software that offers smart removal defects (SRD). You can connect it through a Firewire or SCSI-2.

Imacon Flextight 646 is a high performance machine that will give you a high quality scan for a high price of $9,995. It comes with FlexColor software and has no ICE technology. It requires highest level of operator skill. This scanner picks up every flaw in your film.

In choosing a scanner, consider your budget and features scanner offers. Your scanned images will tell tale.

Shadows are created in various shapes and sizes. You can play with it to create an amusing blend of objects forming a remarkable artwork! There are instances when object casting shadow is hidden. There are also times when you have to make them visible to scene.

Drop shadow, a distinct type of shadow, has identical shape of object casting it. The distance of object and path of light source resolve position of shadow. Layer Styles allows you to add a drop shadow to layers. It can be controlled in many ways.

To position shadow, adjust Angle field’s value in Structure of dialog box. The distance verifies how far shadow will fall. The Spread field works like Hardness feature of Brushes - intensify percentage to yield a harder edge. To set size of shadow, click on Size field. To set its shape, choose Contour field. You can also click on Contour icon to bring up Contour Editor – with it you can set your own parameters.

To set a noise level for your shadow, click on Noise field. When you click on Add Noise filter, it applies noise to layer. In Layer Style dialog box, you can find Blending Options. In General Blending section, you can set opacity. After that, go to Advanced Blending section and see Fill Opacity setting. This allows you to lower opacity without changing style effects.