SHADOW PHOTOGRAPHY. By Nelleke Ferreira

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1 SHADOW PHOTOGRAPHY By Nelleke Ferreira

2 Intro Making shadows the object of our photography. A theme a bit more abstract. Lets be creative! Release the Peter Pan within, and capture some photos OF shadows.

3 Definition A shadow is the contour (shape) created when an object or person blocks rays of light from reaching a surface. The shape of a shadow changes based on its relationship with its light source. The distance, angle, and size of the source work together to determine the intensity, form, and scale of the shadow.

4 Let's Point Out What a Shadow Isn't A shadow is NOT a silhouette A Silhouette is the dark shape and outline of someone or something visible against a lighter background, esp. in dim light Silhouettes have a fixed shape that mimics the object blocking the light.

5 Shadows are NOT fixed in shape. A shadow will change in shape, definition, and colour based on the positioning, quality, and colour of the light creating it. It will also change characteristics based on the object that it falls upon. This opens up room for a lot of creativity.

6 Characteristics of Shadows A shadow can be deep in tone and have a hard defined edge. Harsh direct light creates deep shadows with hard defined edges.

7 Photograph by Wendy Hope

8 Characteristics of Shadows A shadow can also be broad, soft, and with a feathered almost imperceptible edge. Not only does the quality of light affect shadows, the distance of the light source to the object casting the shadow will change it's characteristics, as well as the distance of the object casting the shadow to the surface the shadow falls upon. As you can see, working with shadows opens up an almost infinite window of opportunity. Winter Road by Pavel P., on Flickr

10 The Common Use of Shadows When photographers, (or all artists for that matter), think of modelling a three dimensional object onto a two dimensional medium, they think of highlights and shadows. It's these two elements, which are created by light, that help us to see in three dimensions. HOWEVER this theme is NOT a repeat of LOW-key photography Always ask yourself IS MY PHOTO ABOUT the shadows? Or is do the shadows just give dimension?

11 NO YES Paraphernalia With Hands-on Ripening by DerrickT, on Flickr Typical Low-key shot photo is NOT about the shadows. Shadows emphasize dimension Also a Low-key shot BUT the photo is entirely about the shadows

We want to use Shadows the Uncommon way How do we do that? We make the shadows- the subject of our photograph! This is a perfect example of the shadow becoming the subject.

12 We want to use Shadows the Uncommon way How do we do that? We make the shadows- the subject of our photograph! This is a perfect example of the shadow becoming the subject. Sure, this is a picture of a cat, but it's the distorted shadow of the cat that brings interest to what could have been an ordinary photograph! cat by Robert Couse-Baker, on Flickr

down interesting shadows that already exist.

13 We want to use Shadows the Uncommon Photography is aboutway expressing yourself in an artistic medium. Applying that to shadows could mean hunting down interesting shadows that already exist. andre kertesz shadow photography which way? by jenny downing, on Flickr

14 We want to use Shadows the Uncommon way It could mean creating shadows that weren't there.

15 We want to use Shadows the It could even mean you Uncommon way manipulating existing shadows to satisfy your creative vision! Just SEEING the opportunity CHANGE your viewpoint

16 We want to use Shadows the Uncommon Even when there are recognizable way objects within a photograph, the use of strong shadows can provide a creative element that strengthens the composition.

17 Did you know that Shadows can be Coloured? When light is directed at a translucent object some light is blocked and some of the colour spectrum passes through; this creates coloured multi-tone shadows. An example of this would be a stained glass window. Here's a cool idea: Collect different types of coloured glass and use them to create coloured shadows in a scene that you select. Here's another cool point. If you create shadows of several different colours and intersect them, a new colour will be formed where they overlap.

19 RELEASE THE INNER PETER PAN!!!

20 MAIN SOURCES USED

Name VALUE. Vocabulary. (also on drawing vocab worksheet)

Name VALUE. Vocabulary. (also on drawing vocab worksheet) Name VALUE Value is the relative lightness and darkness of a color or grey tone. Color as well as black and white, has value. When you turn a color photo into a black and white version you can see the