Creative street photography ideas : Playing with shadows

Posted on June 27, 2010 by William Darhy

The shadows can be a great source of inspiration for street photographers when they participate actively in the composition, becoming a key element of the picture. Shadows can be very striking and demand the viewer’s attention as soon as they look.
They can complement, distort, or extend body parts of the  characters to an exaggerated way, or they can accidentally add accessories not necessarily desired by the subjects. In other cases, the shadow (of a character) will be the main subject of the photo, disclosing, or rather casting a human presence on the urban scenery.

Obviously, shadow effects are a photography classic, however it makes a lot of sense for street photography. The shadowing effects are most easily obtained in the early morning and late afternoon when the sun is low and stretches the silhouette that are projected on vertical surfaces, on the ground or onto the characters themselves. However one can imagine that the shadows cast by artificial lights at night or in dark places may also be prone to catch.

Picture (c) William Darhy

Tip 1 : Distorted shadow not in phase with the subject itself

The human shadow projected on the walls, floor or any surface, are stretching ludicrously  some body parts, or are adding some unwanted accessories to a character. The different vertical planes, formed by the walls and corners, angles, or any item of sets are expanding, compressing and deforming the shadow that is projected. This new element of the photo, creates a caricature, fantastic or dramatic effect. The highlight of the photo is the contrast between the subject, which will be perceived as normal, and attracts the first look, and the shadow, seen in a second place, which will create a surprise, because totally not in synch with the subject.

Pictures (c) Matt Stuart, (c) Ronya Galka, (c) Shuki Laufer

Picture (c) Shuki Laufer

Picture (c) Matt Stuart

Picture (c) Ronya Galka

Tip 2: A shadow is cast on a character itself. Creating a comical or dramatic effect

As opposed to the first case, here the shadow of an external element is cast on the character of the picture. The shadow can fictitiously add some accessories, unwanted body parts, or complement the wardrobe of any individual passing by under the shadow. Also the shadow can mask some elements of the character, which can add some dramatic effects to the picture.

Pictures (c) Matt Stuart, (c) Markus Hartel

Picture (c) Matt Stuart

Picture (c) Markus Hartel

Tip 3: The shadow is the main subject of the picture

In this style of photograph, the shadow becomes the main element of the picture. The picture is even more striking when this shadow takes a supernatural form or stretches exaggeratedly, suggesting the human presence and actions. More figurative and dramatic, these pictures will give way to imagination, creating subjective situations or striking pictorial effects.

Since the shadow only provides a very dark silhouette, it’s always better to shoot these shadows when they are cast on special materials, with high textural effects which will enhance the picture. Shadows that angle in toward the camera are also great for catching attention and creating interest.

The subject should be easily identifiable by the viewer. For street photography you are more likely to look for human shadows, but you can look for other subjects like birds, people, buildings, shapes, flowers, trees, or whatever you can think of. The viewer should be able to tell what the picture is as soon as they look at it, not just a black blob of a shadow on a page.

Pictures (c) Nick Turpin, (c) Pavel Medvedev

Picture (c) Nick Turpin

Picture (c) Pavel Medvedev

Tip 4 : The shadows leads to the main subject

You can use the long shadows produced by the low angled sun to lead the viewer’s eye in a certain path through the photograph.

Pictures  (c) Ronya Galka,

Picture (c) Ronya Galka

Picture (c) Ronya Galka

Tip 5 : Turn the photo upside down

Turn your photo upside down so the subject takes the place of the shadow and the shadow takes the place of the subject. The viewer will not immediately understand what’s going on in the picture at start. However it will be a good surprise when the trick is revealed.

Pictures (c) Antonio Grambone, (c) Amanaria

Picture (c) Antonio Grambone

Picture (c) Amanaria

Picture (c) Antonio Grambone

Tip 6 : Shadow adds geometrical elements to a picture

Look for grids, fences, columns, poles, mesh, nets, … that create repetitive elements when cast on the ground and walls. The shadow can also envelop the characters, literally dressing the subjects with shadows.

Pictures (c) Nick Turpin, (c) Sandra Mösinger

Picture (c) Sandra Mösinger

Picture (c) Nick Turpin

Gallery of great street photography using shadows

Contributors

Pictures (c) Matt Stuart, Picture (c) Antonio Grambone, Pictures (c) Amanaria, Picture (c) Ricky Montalbano, Picture (c) Ronya Galka, Picture (c) Kishor Ksharma, Picture (c) Markus Hartel, Picture (c) Arnold Pouteau, Picture (c) Stryker66, Picture (c) Pavel Medvedev, Picture (c) Shuki Laufer, Picture (c) Nick Turpin, Picture (c) Ricky Siegers, Picture (c) Matt Weber

Other References

5 Tips for Using Shadows – Associated Content – associatedcontent.com

Eight Great Ways To Include Shadows In Your Pictures

Digital Photography - Using Shadows to Create Dynamic Photos

Showcase Of Beautiful Shadow Photography – Smashing Magazine

Photography Tips: Using Shadows to Your Advantage

Submit your picture

If you have a picture that you think could illustrate this article, don’t hesitate to contact me or you can submit the picture directly here: Submit a picture.

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