Digital Learning Commons: Elements of Photography: Light and Shadow

(Credit: Alexey Bednij)

(Credit: Irawan Subingar)

(Credit: Andre Kertesz)

(Credit: Kevin Dooley)

(Credit: Lukas Vasilikos)

Does the light seem to be natural or artificial? Harsh or soft? What direction is the light coming from? Describe the shadows. Are they subtle or do they create a strong contrast?

How to Get Amazing Images from Shadows
Discusses what shadows are, their characteristics, and how they can be used in photography for effect. Examples included.
Photography Light and Shadow
New photographers often interpret the focus on light in photography as a need for even, direct light–and lots of it–in every scene they photograph. But, it’s light and shadows together that make a great photograph.