Shadow play can create amazing effects. The light and shows both help to enhance the effects of each other in images. Shadows help to reduce the flatness of images they also have a way of bringing life to photographs. Shadows help to reveal emotions changing the moods of images adding drama. Incorporating shadows into photographs allow for good contrast effects and depth changes. Shadow play are important parts of composition, they can be used as leading lines directing the attention of the viewer to focal points in your image.
Shadow effects range from soft shadows to hard shadows, from short to long shadows and even just silhouettes. These ranges are dependent on the ways that the shadows are created due to the direction of light and the strength of light.
Still-life and Shadows·
Easy to control every aspect of image
o Lighting
o Props
o Composition
Choose objects that will cast interesting images ·
Use powerful light sources
o Torch Light
o Projector ·
Use different angles
o Lighting direction
o Camera angles
Natural Landscapes ·
Add depth with landscape shadows
o Reveal texture
o Create leading lines
Shoot when the sun is close to the horizon
Keep the sun to the side of the camera
Dramatic studio portrait ·
Harsh lighting
Deep shadows
o Creating seductive and mysterious effects
Positioning light sources close to subject ·
Black backgrounds
Silhouettes
Backlighting a subject
Creates graphic focal points of shadow
Expose bright scene
Underexpose subject
Creative shadows
Manipulating shapes or changing shapes of a subjects shadow
Using separate shoots and merging with Photoshop
Use of bare flash
Use of silver refector
Use of tripod
Abstracts
Use of shadows of shapes
Subject is unimportant
Adds contrast to image
Architecture
Strong lines
Sharp angels
Bold shapes
Use intense light, dark shadows
Natural-Light portraits
Flattering low-key portraits
Control light and exposure
Alter angle and distance of subject from light
Spot-metering from face to darken surroundings
Shadow effects range from soft shadows to hard shadows, from short to long shadows and even just silhouettes. These ranges are dependent on the ways that the shadows are created due to the direction of light and the strength of light.
Still-life and Shadows·
Easy to control every aspect of image
o Lighting
o Props
o Composition
Choose objects that will cast interesting images ·
Use powerful light sources
o Torch Light
o Projector ·
Use different angles
o Lighting direction
o Camera angles
Natural Landscapes ·
Add depth with landscape shadows
o Reveal texture
o Create leading lines
Shoot when the sun is close to the horizon
Keep the sun to the side of the camera
Dramatic studio portrait ·
Harsh lighting
Deep shadows
o Creating seductive and mysterious effects
Positioning light sources close to subject ·
Black backgrounds
Silhouettes
Backlighting a subject
Creates graphic focal points of shadow
Expose bright scene
Underexpose subject
Creative shadows
Manipulating shapes or changing shapes of a subjects shadow
Using separate shoots and merging with Photoshop
Use of bare flash
Use of silver refector
Use of tripod
Abstracts
Use of shadows of shapes
Subject is unimportant
Adds contrast to image
Architecture
Strong lines
Sharp angels
Bold shapes
Use intense light, dark shadows
Natural-Light portraits
Flattering low-key portraits
Control light and exposure
Alter angle and distance of subject from light
Spot-metering from face to darken surroundings