Published Nov 21. 2012 - 11 years ago
Updated or edited Jul 26. 2020

Shadows

Harsh shadows from a bright source like the sun are usually not very welcome in our images, and we often jump through hoops to avoid them. But how about making the shadows a part of the image, and maybe even the most important part?

Smooth sand, hard light - A nice composition
Low sun, long shadows - Four pike rods resting
Crazy shadow - Gear often casts some really weird shadows like this Hardy reel
Gear
Martin Joergensen - Kasper Muhlbach

When the sun shines, you get shadows. Harsh shadows from a bright source like the sun are usually not very welcome in our images, and we often jump through hoops to avoid them, searching for shadow on bright days, using fill flash or even bringing out reflectors to soften up the contrast between bright and dark.

But how about making the shadows a part of the image, and maybe even the most important part?
As I'm writing this, the sun is shining so brightly on my screen that I can hardly see it. It's October and being in the northern hemisphere that means that the sun is low. While that might be a menace when working next to a large window, it can actually be a blessing when being by the water and taking pictures. The low sun means long and distinct shadows, and that can be utilized in pictures and create some different effects.

Anything you place in a sunlit spot, be it gear, a fish or an angler, will cast a shadow, which is most likely both larger and more dominant than the object that casts it. That can sometimes be a pain, but consider incorporating the shadow into your image.

Low sun, hard shadow - They are always tempting albeit somewhat a cliche
Self portrait - Simple
Long fish - The low sun doesn\'t exactly make the fish shorter
Being there - You shadow in the image might be an old cliche, but it sure makes you feel like being there again!
Yourself, your friend
Asger Sondergaard - Martin Joergensen - Kasper Mühlbach - Ken Bonde Larsen
Shadow only - Here the reel has been left all out, and only the shadow remains
A soft shadow... - ...is also a shadow. The shadow of this rod adds to the balance in the image
Rod, line, fly - With shadow
Rod, line, reel
Martin Joergensen - Kasper Mühlbach

Taking pictures of your own shadow cast in front of you when you are facing away from the sun is something that has been seen many times, but still manages to produce a sense of presence in a picture. It might be cliche, but it still tells the viewer that you were there without having you directly in the picture. These self portraits can be trivial and are often seen, but once in a while they do work and serve a purpose.

When shadows are cast from the side, and the whole shadow is clearly visible, consider getting the whole shadow in the picture. That might mean putting your main subject in one side of the frame to "make room" for the shadow, but that will just add to the tension and dynamics in the image. In the same manner a shot against the light where you have shadows of your subject falling towards you, consider tilting the camera forwards to get those shadows fully in the picture. You might even consider cutting away the main subject and only getting the shadows!

Shooting gear or flies can also be done using the shadow as a major part of the image. Most gear will cast some weird shadows, be it thin rods and lines or reels with geometrical and sometimes intricate shapes. A low light source will again accent any effect, and winter images or images shot in low sun over smooth surfaces like a sandy beach can give you some really different gear images.

You might even consider cutting away the main subject and only getting the shadows!

Winter sun - The sun makes the chairs cast a couple of nice shadows on the snow
Winter sun
Martin Joergensen

Comments

some great images gr...

some great images great use of light and shadow when taking pictures

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