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  • How to use shadows to improve your photography
  • Photography

How to use shadows to improve your photography

Kimberly R. Cammack June 4, 2022

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • How to use shadows to improve your photography
  • The importance of shadows
  • Focus
  • Contrast
  • Depth
  • Mystery
  • Texture
  • How to use shadows
  • Golden hour
  • Architecture
  • Silhouette
  • Black and white
  • Landscape
  • Portrait
  • Add color
  • Use hard light
  • Use soft light
  • Experiment with neon
  • Street lights are your friend
  • Get edgy
  • Photograph the shadow itself
  • Create a combo
  • Inspiration
  • Plants
  • Ferris wheel
  • Window to the world
  • Ski lift
  • Blue eyes
  • Purple

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How to use shadows to improve your photography

The word photography means “drawing with light,” which makes sense as finding the right light is a vital aspect of composing a good photo. But just as important as light, is shadow. Many people think of shadow as merely a byproduct, however it can be so much more. Within a photograph, shadows provide the contrast and depth that light alone cannot provide, giving an image a more interesting composition.

Shadows can completely change the look of an image if you know how to use them. Click through the gallery to find out how to use shadows in your own photography, and get inspired along the way!

(Photo by Dhruv)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

The importance of shadows

What do shadows create in a photograph that is so important? Why should you be focusing on them?

(Photo by Jan Gottweiss)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Focus

Shadow helps to direct the viewer’s gaze. It ensures that they are paying attention to the part of the photo that you want.

(Photo by John Forson)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Contrast

Much of photography focuses on light. However, if there are no shadows, light doesn’t have quite the same impact.

(Photo by Shangyou Shi)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Depth

Objects that are solely bathed in light may be beautiful, but they lack depth. Shadows give the viewer a different dimension to digest.

(Photo by Taisiia Stupak)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Mystery

An image can become all the more mysterious through the use of carefully placed shadows.

(Photo by Nikita Belov)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Texture

Shadow creates texture in a way that light cannot. It can not only give the viewer a better idea of what the subject looks like, but what it feels like as well.

(Photo by Donald Giannatti)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

How to use shadows

Now that you have an appreciation for the importance of shadows in your photos, it’s time to learn how to use them in your photography.

(Photo by Twitter: @jankolario)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Golden hour

Golden hour is just a little bit before sunrise or sunset, and is so named because it casts everything in a golden glow. While it’s a great time for light, it’s also a great time for shadows. Since the sun is so low, you can photograph long shadows.

(Photo by Léonard Cotte)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Architecture

Photograph architecture when the sun is high in order to get high-contrast shadows. It will showcase all of the beautiful details.

(Photo by Alora Griffiths)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Silhouette

You can’t photograph silhouettes without shadow! Use the sun or artificial light to create unique outlines of people or objects, so you’re focusing on the form and not the little details.

(Photo by Anton Darius)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Black and white

When there’s no color to create contrast and interest, you have to use shadows. They will give your picture the texture and intricacy it needs. 

(Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Landscape

If you’re photographing an expansive landscape, use shadows to emphasize the area that you want to draw attention to.

(Photo by Brylee Hawkins)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Portrait

Use shadows to portray details and depth in a face that would otherwise be flat if you only used light.

(Photo by Willy Dade)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Add color

While many think of shadows as black, they don’t have to be. Use semi-transparent objects such as balloons, umbrellas, and stained glass to create colorful shadows.

(Photo by Joshua Eckstein)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Use hard light

Hard light is when there is a harsh distinction between the light and the shadows. If you want to create more contrast, this is the way to go.

(Photo by Liao Je Wei)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Use soft light

If the edges are blurred between light and shadow, that’s referred to as soft light. If you want more of a blending effect in your photos, experiment with soft light.

(Photo by Twitter: @jankolario)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Experiment with neon

Using colored lights can create an interesting distinction between light and dark. You can get them as close or as far away as you want, to create more or less contrast.

(Photo by Jack Gibson)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Street lights are your friend

Don’t have access to neon lights? No problem! Use street lights instead. Use the overhead lights along a road or use the shadows cast by your neighbor’s porch lamp.

(Photo by Adam Dore)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Get edgy

Try composing an image where the majority of the photo is made up of shadow. This will create an edgier and more dramatic flair.

(Photo by Rendiansyah Nugroho)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Photograph the shadow itself

While shadows can emphasize an object, they can also be the subject themselves. You can try photographing intriguing shadows to get a feel for it.

(Photo by Morvanic Lee)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Create a combo

Use the shadow in a unique capacity to create an even more compelling image.

(Photo by Hessam Hojati)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Inspiration

Get inspired by these beautiful photographs that take advantage of the contrast between light and dark.

(Photo by Xan Griffin)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Plants

The shadows in this photo crank up the drama factor, adding both depth and more detail.

(Photo by Robert Katzki)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Ferris wheel

The shadows give both context and texture to the photo, making it more interesting.

(Photo by Yux Xiang)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Window to the world

The photographer uses shadows in most of the photo to highlight the window as the focus in the center. Your eye is automatically drawn to the light.

(Photo by Jon Eric Marababol)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Ski lift

A great example of combining an object (skis) with a shadow to create a more interesting effect.

(Photo by Elena Baran)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Blue eyes

The shadows on this woman’s face create drama in the photo, and the little bit of blue peeking out becomes piercing.

(Photo by Blake Cheek)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.

Purple

A great example of using light, dark, and color to make a photo dynamic.

(Photo by Lode Lagrainge)




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.


Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.


30/30 SLIDES

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