In the world of natural light, high contrast can mean high drama in your photographs. With the right scene and the right approach, the striking interplay of brights and darks can create some of the greatest, most dynamic show stoppers in outdoor photography.In particular, shadows can produce a quick and powerful impact, since they emphasize form over detail. Best yet, chasing shadows is a creative pursuit for enthusiasts who prefer either color photography or black and white photography.
Lamp Shadow 3
© Kerry Drager
All Rights Reserved
|
Finding Subjects
Successful shadow photography can result from a person or an animal; or from the bold shape of an object. Also be ready for graphic design shadows such as lines, curves, patterns, angles, or repetitions. When shooting shadows, the key is to choose subjects that have simple yet strong forms and that are surrounded by brightness.In particular, brilliant low-angled sunlight makes for wonderfully long shadows. For instance:
Self-Portrait, Old Dump Truck
© Kerry Drager
All Rights Reserved
|
With sidelight, which comes from the right or left, shadows stretch across the scene.With backlight, when the sun is behind the subject, shadows race toward the camera. In frontlight, which comes from behind you and hits the subject head-on, the broad coverage of a wide-angle lens could allow you to incorporate your shadow in the picture - for a "self-portrait"!
Playing It Safe
Contrasts in lighting can fool your camera meter. To ensure that a shadow becomes very dark or black and the sunlit areas show good color and details:
Temporarily fill your viewfinder with a middle tone that is illuminated (i.e., a mid-blue, mid-brown, or mid-gray area that's not in shadow), take a meter reading, lock in those settings, re-compose, and shoot.
Beware of overdoing it - i.e., a shadow that occupies an overwhelming part of the picture frame. Remember: It's lighting contrast - the mix of both darks and brights - that makes for striking shadow shots. Lastly ...
For sample shots, check out BetterPhoto's excellent "Shadow Pictures" gallery.
About Author / Instructor / Photographer, Kerry Drager
The content manager and an instructor for BetterPhoto.com, Kerry Drager is also the author of Scenic Photography 101. In addition, he teaches two online photography courses at BetterPhoto: Creative Light & Composition and Creative Close-ups. Kerry's Pro BetterPholio Web site offers an assortment of galleries and illustrated how-to articles on photography. In addition, kerrydrager.com was featured in Shutterbug magazine. His work has appeared in Outdoor Photographer and other major magazines; Hallmark cards and Sierra Club Calendars; and in advertising campaigns for American Express and Sinar Bron Imaging. He is also the photographer of the photo-essay books The Golden Dream: California from Gold Rush to Statehood and California Desert, and is a contributing photographer for the books Daybreak 2000 and Portrait of California. He lives with his wife, Mary, in the country near Sacramento, California, with their six Newfoundland dogs, six cats, two horses, and a mixed terrier.
|
