February 2, 2019 was Ground Hog day. This is the day that if the groundhog pops up out of his hole and sees his shadow, he gets scared and retreats back down signaling another six weeks of winter.
But in photography, shadows are our friends. In photography. shadows are just as, if not more, important than light. Its shadows or contrast that helps us create a 3D image on a 2D medium such as photo paper or a computer screen.
In the example above I completed the shape of the heart by positioning my light so it formed a shadow of the handle to make the heart shape. Go ahead click/tap on it to see a larger view and I think you’ll agree the front of the handle seems to pop out at us.
And in this example of Nikki the contrast between the light and dark areas are what helps us show her in a three dimensional perspective.
In this shot, I used the blinds of the studio to help create depth as the sun shone through them and created shadows on the far wall behind Crystal T. That, along with lighting her from just one side creating a hard contrast between her right and left side gave the image so much more depth and interest.
And one more example of the beautiful Brooke G. that shows the importance of adding shadows to enhance and accentuate what you want viewers to see.
So don’t be like the groundhog and retreat when you see a shadow. Embrace it and enjoy the dimensioned image it creates.
Thanks for reading these tips about shadows and contrast and I hope you consider using them in the pictures you take. I’m excited for you to try these ideas, and think you will produce some eye popping images.
While this is on your mind, you might consider whether it’d also be a treasure to be IN the eye popping, stop in your tracks photo.
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