Shadows are usually treated as an unwanted side effect of bright light, something to be avoided rather than embraced. Used deliberately, however, shadows can become an interesting part of a photo in their own right, adding shape and contrast that a flatly lit image simply cannot offer.
A long shadow stretching across a path, or the pattern created by light falling through leaves, can turn an otherwise ordinary scene into something far more striking. Rather than waiting for flat, even light, it is worth paying attention to strong shadows and considering how they might be used.
Let shadows lead the eye
Shadows can be used to draw attention towards a subject, much like any other line within a photo. A shadow that points towards the main subject, rather than away from it, helps guide the viewer's eye exactly where it is meant to go.
This approach works particularly well earlier and later in the day, when shadows stretch longer and become more pronounced. A short pause to notice where shadows fall, before taking the photo, often reveals an opportunity that would otherwise go unnoticed.
Shadows are not limited to bright outdoor scenes either, and can appear just as effectively indoors, for example where light falls through blinds or a patterned curtain. These stripes and shapes of light and shadow can add real texture to an otherwise plain indoor photo, particularly on a wall or across a table. It is worth glancing around a room at different times of day to notice when this kind of light appears, since it often only lasts for a short window before the sun moves on. Once noticed, this fleeting effect becomes something to plan around rather than something spotted by chance.
With a bit of attention, shadows stop being something to avoid and start becoming a useful part of composing a photo. The result is often a more striking image, without any need for additional editing afterwards.
