I agree with Butch. I see a lot of comments about shadows that really seem to rely more on the "popular wisdom" that a shadow will make your model look like it's standing on the ground, than on anything rational or thought out. It seems to be something that just flows out of people's keyboards before they engage their eyes and brain - a sort of default comment people feel a need to make even if it isn't appropriate. I've seen renders where the shadow completely fails to make the model look like it's on the ground but people don't comment on the floating look. I've also seen renders where the model looks very much on the ground despite not having a shadow, and of course half a dozen people jump in and say "needs a shadow". Next time you're outside on a cloudy day, take a look at the ground. How obvious is your shadow? Does it look like you're floating just because there isn't one? Often shadows DO help make a model look like it's on the ground, but it's not automatic and it isn't always necessary. Wheter or not you use shadows really depends on what you're trying to do. I use them in most of my renders, but not all.

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