With the idea that photography is painting with light, we photographers spend our lives looking for it, learning it, challenging it, adore it and curse it. So far normal. But, what about the non-light? What about the shadows? Have you ever stopped to think that they could be more than just an annoying element that you have to try to get rid of at all costs?
And speaking of light, don't miss this very complete guide in which we tell you everything you need to know about lighting in photography.
FOR WHAT AND HOW DO I USE THE SHADOWS?
Shadows can be used like any element in a composition , they can help you add visual interest to your image, fill the frame, create rhythm through the repetition of lines or shapes, or focus the point of interest.
On the other hand, shadows have a large symbolic component . They are mysterious and suggestive; they show but do not teach, they can be kind or sinister, they can create impossible perspectives and shapes worthy of a Hitchcock or Kubrick movie.
And since a picture is worth a thousand words, we have made a small selection of 20 images to inspire you and encourage you to bring your shadows out of oblivion ?
1.- INCREASE INTEREST
Through the shadows, you can create a specific environment, a frame and ultimately a much deeper impression. Look at the following image, do you think it would convey the same thing with or without a shadow?
2.- SHADOW AND MYSTERY
Everything that is not shown to us clearly generates a certain sensation of mystery, unreality. Shadows are a good way to create this feeling.
3.- FILL THE FRAME
Another of the features of the shadows is that they can help you fill frames in an interesting way.
4.-TEXTURES AND SHADOWS
It is the reflection or a shadow in a puddle, but it could be a shadow wandering through space. The textures of the water and the stones achieve this effect, at least interesting.
5.- THE HAUNTED HOUSE , THE HAUNTED HOUSE
Who says mystery, says terror. Isn't the following image a bit scary?
6.- RHYTHM
The repetition of geometric patterns of light and shadow can produce an image like the one you will see below.
7.- SHADOWS AND OTHER COMPOSITION RULES
Do not forget to help yourself with the basic composition rules, just as if it were composing a portrait. The following image is composed through lines and colors, but above all through the rule of thirds.
8.- DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW
Using different points of view will give you images with another perspective. Who is more real in this picture? Shadow or horse?
9.- IMAGINATION HAS NO LIMITS, AND NEITHER DOES PHOTOSHOP
If you are absolutely against image retouching programs: Go to the next point. If it seems like one more way or a new world to explore, you can get funny images like this one very easily.
10.- PORTRAITS WITH SHADOWS
A way to explore if you like portrait photography . In addition, you will be able to prepare your shadows with more success and calm than if you were photographing strangers in the street, for example.
11.- STORIES WITH SHADOWS
If you want to take good photographs, try to make them tell a story, have a speech that the viewer understands or at least wonders about.
12.-ABSTRACTION
Those shapes that appear out of context, like the ones in the following image, can generate formal and abstract images.
13.- ASSEMBLIES
As far as your imagination, your desire, and your knowledge of editing programs go.
14.- ALTERNATE PATTERNS
15.- A SMALL TRIBUTE, THE DECISIVE MOMENT
It may be more reflection than shadow, or the reflection of a shadow. It doesn't matter, this image by Henri Cartier-Bresson is proof that carrying your camera gives you wonderful snapshots.
16.- THE WEEKLY SHADOW CHALLENGE
You must already know the magnificent initiative of this blog so that you can participate, comment and practice through its challenges, right? Well, how could it be otherwise, we had a shadow challenge, and you can check some of the resulting images here
17.- MONSTROUS SCALES
All those childhood games, everything that shadows have fascinated us in our early childhood must be somewhere, rescue it and play with them, see what comes out ?
18.- MODERN ART?
Another proof that changing the perspective of things generates unexpected pleasures ?
19.- PERSPECTIVE
We have ever talked about forced perspective, usually thanks to the use of different planes and the game with the size of the elements that appear in the image, giving them unreal scales. Why not use it in shadows too?
20.- ONLY FOR ROMANTICS
The image speaks for itself, right?
I always have in mind when I think about shadow photography how strange we must appear when we go down the street, mountain or wherever, chasing something that nobody else seems to see, something that nobody else values or is aware of. Shadows on the pavement, the shadows of a railing, of some legs, of some monstrous bicycle wheels, the shadow of a ball in the air, the shadow of the rush, of the swings, of coming and going, of the branches of a tree. We should see each other from the outside, surely more than one of us would get a good laugh. But we don't, because we are absorbed trying to see beyond... At this point, what does it matter what I look like, right? And there we are, photographing shadows, but have you seen the results you can get? It doesn't seem so ridiculous anymore, does it?
So I hope that without a shadow of a doubt you go hunting for shadows. You have them everywhere; where there is light, there will be shadow, and take advantage of it to “go crazy” on the street and get wonderful images.
