Challenge Topic: Shadow Play
Posting Date: Saturday, January 11, 2014
Online Background Information:
Additional Tips and Suggestions:
In order for the light to shine so brightly,
the darkness must be present.
~ Sir Francis Bacon ~
Now that we have gone through an exercise that focused on light, we need to examine the importance of shadows in photography. It is time to embrace the shadows! The contrast between light and shadows can provide dramatic results in your images. Shadows can shape the light by showcasing texture, thereby giving a three-dimensional quality to a two-dimensional image.
Serious photographers know that light reveals and shadows define. If you study photographs that have that certain “wow” factor, the ones that really hit home with their visual impact, they will usually display a bold distinction between light and shadows.
Once again, this challenge will be an important lesson in observation. Shadows may either take center stage and command your attention, or else they may complement the subject matter. You have the freedom to decide if you want shadows to have starring or supporting roles in your images. Be sure to check out the web links provided above for many inspirational examples.
For those of us who live in the northern hemisphere, the sun in low in the horizon this time of year, thus providing naturally longer shadows. Of course, early mornings and late afternoon offer good opportunities for striking shadows. A hard light source is preferable to diffused lighting for this challenge.
Using your camera's exposure compensation settings, you may want to slightly underexpose your image to deepen the shadow areas. Or you may decide to darken the shadow areas in the post-processing phase. Effective use of a digital editing program can banish hazy or muddy tones in your original image. Also, conversion to a black and white image can effectively showcase the contrast between light and dark tones without the distraction of color.
Using your camera's exposure compensation settings, you may want to slightly underexpose your image to deepen the shadow areas. Or you may decide to darken the shadow areas in the post-processing phase. Effective use of a digital editing program can banish hazy or muddy tones in your original image. Also, conversion to a black and white image can effectively showcase the contrast between light and dark tones without the distraction of color.
Instructions:
Prepare one to three of your own photographic images that prominently feature shadows. You may use photos from your personal inventory or take new ones for this challenge. It’s your choice. Please include any information or tips that may be of assistance to other participants (e.g., how you took the images, post-processing details, camera settings, what you learned). If you have more than one blog, please present your challenge photos on only one of them.
The linkup tool will be available the day before the challenge date (January 10) and a couple days thereafter. Don’t forget to set up a calendar reminder for yourself!
