Shadow Photography: Tips and Ideas for Using Shadows in Your Photos

Sean Lewis

Photographers always have plenty to say about how to use light to capture compelling images. While light is no doubt important, it’s actually how we capture shadows, however subtle or dramatic they might be, that tends to make our photos truly interesting. To illustrate our point, we’ve compiled several examples of shadow photography and paired them with tips and ideas to help you use shadows in your own work to create better photos.

All of the images in this article are provided by the photographers at Wedding Maps and used with their permission.

Let’s get started.

1. Layers & Depth

Photo by Aiden Dockery

One effective way that you can use shadows in your photography is to add layers and depth to your photos, turning a flat image into something more dynamic and eye-catching. For example, in the image above, the photographer has placed the couple in the foreground and focused on their shadows against the wall in the background. This turns what would typically be a simple background element into the main attraction. The tight crop also helps draw the viewer’s attention to the shadows and solidifies their place as the main subjects in the frame.

2. Balance in Shadow Photography

Photo by Andy Sidders

As a compositional element, shadows can help create balance in an image. You’ll notice this concept on display in several of the photos featured in this article. In the image above, the photographer has placed the subject and his shadow on the left and right sides of the frame, which would fall right in line with the grid used for the rule of thirds. It’s a simple but effective way to use shadows to strengthen the composition of your photos and make them more visually appealing.

3. Backlit – Shadows in the Foreground

Photo by “In Love and Adventure”

In a typical couples portrait, you might expect to find the couple in the foreground, nicely lit with a key light off to the side, with nary a shadow in sight (or perhaps hiding in the background if visible at all). Backlit photos, on the other hand, change that dynamic and make more of a spectacle out of the light. The light usually wraps around the subjects and reveals a scene that we wouldn’t typically see without the added light, which is usually created by using flash. In the example above, however, the photographer takes the backlighting technique a step further in a naturally lit scene and shifts much of the focus onto the shadows, which dominate the foreground.

Photo by Party of Two Photography

In the backlit, shadow-forward portrait above, we find the couple occupying a smaller portion of the frame. Their top halves feature prominently as shadows in the foreground, making the shadows the thing to look at in this portrait.

4. Shadow Photography: Duplicating the Pose to Re-emphasize the Moment

Photo by 4Eyes Photography

When you set up a scene to capture an incredible moment, you can one-up the moment by capturing it twice in a single frame. In other words, position yourself and the lighting to duplicate the pose in shadow. Again, this goes beyond the typical approach to capturing basic portraits. As photographers, we can approach any scene from a number of angles and shoot wide, medium, or tight to tell a story. In the image above, the shadow adds visual interest to this medium-wide shot and re-emphasizes the moment that is unfolding before the camera.

Photo by Katinov Photography

Here’s another example of duplicating the pose using shadow photography, this time showcased in a wide shot that also highlights the location.

5. Silhouettes

shadow photography example of silhouette shadow
Photo by Jessie and Dallin

Everyone loves a great silhouette shot. It’s important to distinguish between an actual silhouette, however, and a shadow silhouette. Most silhouette shots are backlit photos of the actual subjects seen in the frame. The trees in the photo above represent this technique well. A shadow silhouette portrait, on the other hand, is a photo of the subject’s shadow, which resembles the subject’s silhouette. In the shadow photography image above, the photographers have pushed the creative envelope and captured a shadow silhouette cast high upon trees, which in turn fill the frame as silhouettes under a gorgeous, star-laden sky.

6. Guide the Viewer to Subjects or Features

shadow photography example of isolated subjects
Photo by The MacMeekens

We often think of using lights to spotlight our subjects and somewhat separate them from the backdrop. In fact, when we pay attention to the use of shadows, we can further emphasize this effect. For example, in the photo above, the photographers could’ve lit the scene any number of ways, choosing to highlight the subject in the foreground or revealing more details in the background. Instead, as it is, we’re drawn specifically to the woman looking out the window. Our gaze has been intentionally guided by the use of shadows.

Photo by Andreas Pollok

To take it a step further, we can isolate specific features of our subjects by intentionally playing with a mix of light and shadows. The image above illustrates this idea beautifully.

7. Shadows from Above

shadow photography example of top-down drone shot
Photo by Stefano Ferrier Wedding Photography

It’s amazing how dramatically a simple shift in perspective can change the way we view a scene. One of the most interesting additions to photography over the last decade is the wider introduction of the use of drones for overhead or top-down shots. In the image above, which captures a wide overhead shot, we can see the actual newlyweds holding hands and looking at each other, but their shadows are really telling the story. Their placement in the center of the frame adds even more impact to the image.

Photo by Authentic Collective

Here, again, we’re treated to an overhead shot in which the shadows tell the story. In addition, the shadows are serving as pointers to draw us into the actual couple as they walk along the shore.

8. Leading lines

Photo by WS Photography

When surveying a scene and considering how we can use different features as compositional elements, one of the most popular go-to compositional tools that we use is leading lines. Pathways, fences, and other similar elements work well to lead viewers to the intended focal point, which usually falls on the main subjects. What you might not regularly think of is using shadows as a leading line element to draw a viewer’s focus. As illustrated in the image above, however, shadows can effectively serve this purpose.

9. Shadows with Wedding Details

shadow photography example featuring a collection of wedding details
Photo by Laura Skebba Photography

Wedding details offer photographers a great opportunity to experiment with different lighting techniques in order to make the subjects (invites, shoes, rings, and other details) more interesting to look at. A lot of thought typically goes into choosing and designing these details, so they deserve an earnest effort when it comes time to document them. Again, alongside light, we can play with shadows to add more visual interest to our detail shots.

shadow photography example of rings from wedding details
Photo by Jeff Tisman

In the image above, the photographer has transformed what could’ve otherwise been a typical ring shot into a creative portrait that tells a story. The placement of the rings in both the shadows and the light resemble a flashlight effect that gives the shot character and demands the viewer’s attention.

10. Shadows Only

Photo by Mauricio Ureña Photography

You may have seen this method used in reflective photos featuring subjects standing over a puddle or next to a mirror or window. The concept is the same in that you’ll focus on an element that resembles the subject but is not the actual subject itself. For instance, in the photo above, we can see a pair of dancing shadows cast by what we presume to be newlyweds. Flipping the photo upside down allows the shadows to take center stage, to the point that we barely even notice the actual bride and groom’s shoes and dress.

shadow photography example featuring only shadows
Photo by The French Wedding Photographer

In this example of a “shadows only” portrait, the photographer focuses solely on the shadows of our subjects, and the wide crop allows the shadows to tell more of the story in a single frame.

shadow photography example featuring couple on bicycle
Photo by Kristin Cheatwood

Once again, the shadows tell the story without necessitating the inclusion of the actual subjects.

11. Photojournalism

Photo by Elyssa Kivus

Many wedding photographers prefer to take a photojournalistic approach to capturing weddings. This often refers to a style of photography that remains more “hands off” in terms of posing subjects and controlling the action taking place. Even while stepping back when it comes to directing the action, we can creatively incorporate shadows to make special moments stand out. In the photo above, the photographer has chosen to crop the speaker out of the frame, although her shadow helps tell the story while we focus on the reaction of the subjects left in frame.

12. Patterns

shadow photography example using gobos
Photo by Sonju Photography

When the location allows, we can look for ways to incorporate patterns into our composition using shadows. You’ve likely heard of GOBOs, which refers to placing an object between the light source and the subject(s) to create interesting light patterns. You might use your own GOBO, like those included in MagMod’s MagMask Kit, or you can look for existing structural features that will allow you to use this technique. Note, you might need to add your own light source to accentuate the pattern, if the ambient light passing through the GOBO isn’t strong enough on its own.

shadow photography example of patterns created by shadows
Photo by SMJ Photography

In the example above, the scene is backlit to fill the frame with a unique light pattern while also revealing the silhouette of the subjects.

More Shadows for Inspiration

For further inspiration, check out these additional shadow photography portraits.

Photo by Tove Lundquist
shadow photography example with large shadows across the scene
Shadow Photography Photo by Larsen Photo Co.
Photo by Bliss Photos
shadow photography example of couple on the beach
Shadow Photography Photo by Kevin Heslin

Conclusion

We hope you found this article on shadow photography helpful and inspiring. Shadows offer countless creative possibilities to elevate your photography, from adding depth and drama to guiding the viewer’s eye. By thoughtfully incorporating shadows, you can create images that feel more dynamic, artistic, and unique. Now it’s your turn to experiment and see how playing with shadows can transform your own work into something truly unforgettable.

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