Creative Suggstions Wanted!!

[carrbowl]

And you don't even have to do it!! Here's the photo with the idea...but as I suspected when I took it, the names aren't working where they wanted to put them..I'm thinking of just putting a white box then put their names in red on the white box. I also thought of something like white building blocks with black trim with red letters...But then I would have to create all the blocks Any other creative ideas???

[Jake]

You could put a small white stroke around the type and it would stand out more.
Or if you want to do the building block thing, you could just use a building block font.

[kenw]

use a drop shadow on the names to pull them out a bit. (see my signature on any of my gallery images).

use the names themselves to make a block: ie; "Katie" could be very tall letters to fill the space between her hands and the floor. Use different font sizes for each, stretched as required to fit (but keep the font 'type' similar amongst all)

watch the placement's background: Faith's almost disappears in the complexity of the shoe's bottomside. (a drop shadow will help here)

[carrbowl]

That's my point Ken...they were trying to copy another photo I had done. But we made enough room between each person, so the name would actually be "on the wall". With this photo, it is not working. Some of the girls' names are actually suppose to be across their chest...like Shelby and Celeste...but it gets lost with the front of their shirts...and then there is the shoe thing...so I have to do something different...it is just a matter of what???

[kenw]

well, the drop shadow would help keep it from being lost in the background, any background. Sure, as you said, you could put each one on a white box, but that probably won't work for a lot of reasons.

For a drop shadow to work, you need to carefully select the color of the shadow to separate the lettering from the background, be it a uniform, shoes or the wall. Typically, a dark background gets white to light grey shadow, a light background gets a black to dark grey shadow. No rules and each can be different depending on what that name needs. Here I would stay away from colors for the shadow, using white-grey-black only. Usually a pure white or pure black shadow can be a bit strong.

I think the placement as you have it looks fine. You just need to separate it from the background, and a drop shadow on the text is one easy way to do it.

I tried editing your image, but it is so small that my font is limited to 4 point and it only makes it worse.....

here's one of mine, not as complex as yours but the light grey drop shadow on the signature separates the black lettering from all sorts of backgrounds. It doesn't have to be too strong to work, just a smidge; or a stroke as Jake mentioned.
http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=98023

[carrbowl]

thanks Ken...I see what you are saying...

[texkam]

A white glow around the letters.

[Bruce M. Morris]

for the shoes, how about running the name down the outside leg instead?

[DeannaD]

Cute idea. I don't like the text on the shoes tho (I couldn't find it right away). Maybe in their hands like they are holding the name? I bookmarked a sample of something like this once.. I'll look for it. It was more grafitti on the wall tho, but very cute!

[sniperkittie]

Just my ideas.

Shelby and Celeste text should extend from hand to hand. Girls on end; text should be under the arms. Like they are leaning on the text. Shay text should tilt to follow the hand in an arc. Those with vertical text, it should extend to leg.. Elizibeth test should arc from hand to hand. Drop shadow should mimic that that you see on the wall. If the arm and hand are on the wall the text should be there also.

The shoes have me stumped for right now. (Edit: Maybe a balloon or ball object, not too intrusive)

Example. I did not do it all

[carrbowl]

Jack, You have a good eye...you caught all the things I did wrong on this photo, or changed so you could see the names!!! I may just have the names sit on the shoes...that would finish up all the issues...

thanks so much for all the help!!! Man you guys rock!!! I am trying to finish proofing the 763 photos from this shoot last week...my butt is so tired from sitting in this chair..and my eyes are exhausted!!!

[msabas]

I would personally choose a Bold font and a different color choice instead of the read.

Also Jack nice touch on the shadow i noticed the name Lauren...casting a shadow as well...