Here's what I've been doing, going to youtube, type in search box exactly what your wanting to do. Example, floor shadows in 3ds max, you'll get a bunch of vids pop up.
I've been following Clayton Donnan, he's got some good vids,
As far as the background image goes, I've tried everything I know, they either come out stretched or upside down or some other weird way. Just never tried the way you say.
You say you have a lot of learning to do, brother you don't know how much you have left to learn, I've been doing these for several years now, and still don't know a lot.