This week's topic is shadows. Photographers often try to eliminate or control shadowsthrough lighting techniques, but without some shadows subjects can appear dull and flat. However, this week isn't about "lighting" an object, it's about using the light to create photographs with shadows.
Things to Consider:
- Shadows can add drama and set the mood.
- Shadows can create leading lines, add contrast, be used as framing, or establish depth.
- Shadows can be the focal point of a subject with or without including the object casting the shadow.
- You don't need a strong light source to cast an interesting shadow. (from Harold Davis's article below.)
- Shadows are longest at sunrise and sunset and very short at noon.
Suggested Readings and Photographic Examples:
- Natural Light in Photography at Cambridge in Colour
- Photographing Shadows: The Basics by Anshum Madore at Fotoflock; short, illustrated article
- Eight Great Ways to Include Shadows in Your Pictures from DIY Photography; suggestions for compositions with shadows
- Photographing Shadows at Shutterbug; a few good hints
- Using Shadows to Enhance Your Compositions at photoble; several examples with brief narratives
- How to Use Shadows to Enhance Your Composition by Harold Davis at Amazon.com; a short article with accompanying examples
- 17 Fantastic Examples of Using Shadows to Enhance Photographic Composition at Light Stalking; just pictures
- Photographing Shadows and Seeing and Photographing Shadows: Using a Key Visual Element at Photographic Digital Photography Guide; short, illustrated articles
- The Ultimate Guide to Shadow Play at Photojojo; article with different ideas than other links
- Rembrandt Lighting and Chiaroscuro by PhotoshopMama; 4 minute YouTube video on portrait photography.
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