Shadow: the critical absence of light

Synopsis-

This post will address shadow in image creation and the importance of shadow control in visual expression. This post also features two examples with descriptions of how the shadow works in each one. So sit back and open up your mind for a refreshed idea on the part of the picture you can’t see—you know the part that gives texture, controls where the eye looks, and has power equal to light.

Where does shadow fit in?-

In photography light is commonly referred to in three types; highlights, mid-tones, and shadows. Shadow is a huge part of photography and can make or break an image. Photography is often referred to as painting with light. My friend D.S. Canning says, "I don't take photos I make photos." When he first said this to me i was skeptical of the meaning of this phrase but now I know what he means. In photography you apply light to the parts of an image you want to show building them with intention.

Importance-
Lets think of shadows using music as an analogy. Music is the presence and absence of sound photography is the presence and absence of light. You have to get it right if you want to express your vision well. It has to be balanced and timed well. There are many ways to use shadow that are equally as important as highlights. You can leave much of a character in shadow in order to offer a mysterious quality. You can use shadow to accentuate textures and contours of your subject.

Example 1-
In the first image above i used a very small blue light to accentuate key parts of the image such as the drivers cigarette, the steering wheel, and shift knob. The subtle blue light also graces across the dash board revealing its texture which helps you "feel" it visually. The key to this image is not the blue light however it is the vast field of shadow that immerses everything else. This leaves a lot to the imagination of the viewer and moves the eye around the image in curiosity. The shadow also brings attention to the focal point which is the speedometer. The red number on the speedometer reads "0", a dead stop, which is the feeling I felt while shooting and what I wanted to convey. You know that, “Come on let’s get out of here!" feeling.

Example 2-
The second image is a little different. It features a gradient background with a silhouette again using shadow as a sense of unknown character this time to the subject rather than environment. The stylized lighting illuminates the subject’s face slightly revealing the models expression. The role of the shadow in this image is to express a powerful stance for the subject while revealing only the crucial details of the face, body, hat and glass.