Drop shadow is a lazy substitute for good design in most instances. If no adjustment of color or spacing improves the legibility of your type at a certain size, then very literally the font you are using was not meant to be viewed at that size. Case closed. I acknowledge that there may be times when dropshadows may make sense, this is not one of them.
I don't understand your qualification, why post anything but your best work? That would seem to be a waste of everyone's time.