GLOW EFFECT

In many things, less is more.  In the case of text, even the font itself can be a distraction if it is out of context and distracts from the message. Add an out of control special effect, and it demeans the message even more.

A light touch can sometimes add enough contrast for the text to be readable without even being strong enough to even notice.

I like to sample a glow or shadow from some dark or light part of the image so it fits the overall color scheme.

Here is an example:

The top is how the text looked without a glow. By spreading the glow effect out enough with a little reduced opacity it doesn't scream *special effect*, and detract from appreciating the text and the font.

Here is the original image, and in context, you hardly notice the glow:

Sometimes a soft light property on the glow can be enough,

as was used here:

 - it made the letters pop out, but no one probably noticed I used a glow there.

The reverse of this can be used for a shadow to make light text pop out on a medium background.

This is not to say a strong effect is always inadvisable. On the contrary, there are some cases where a strong effect can play into improving the readability. And still be in context. Or add an extra dimension. On this one, the strong glow ties in the text to the theme of the image:

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The next tip is in the form of a FontPlay. Both methods

discussed were used on this background:

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