When you are a beginner photographer, the aim is to take beautiful, evenly lit photos. But, once you master the basic techniques, you will find that those photos are, well, boring. If you're looking to add an edge to your photos, you have to play around with lights and shadows. After all, photography is all about those elements.

Also, shooting shadow photography is not only fun but will also give you an opportunity to learn more about photography. You can add shadows to create depth and dimension in your images or use them as your main subject.

No matter how you use shadows in your composition, here are the ground rules to follow.

1. Check the Direction of Light

Car in a tunnel

Light casts a shadow in the opposite direction. This means that your subject's shadow will fall on the opposite side of your light source. So, you have to place your subject strategically. For example, try side lighting or lighting from the front to capture the shadows. You can learn the basics of studio lighting here.

When you use backlighting, you may end up with a silhouette, and your composition may get too busy. So make sure to play around to find a striking composition.

2. Pay Attention to the Quality of Your Light

Poppy shadow

Just like the direction of your light, you need to know about the quality of light. Soft light is perfect for nice and even shadows. However, if you want well-defined shadows, you have to go for hard light.

Here is a rule to remember: a large light source will produce even shadows, and a small light source creates hard shadows. That's why we use large softboxes to tone down the shadows. So, go for a small, intense light source to get the bold shadows.

3. Shoot at Midday

People shadow

The sun is a small, intense light source relative to the earth's size and distance. So, you can use natural light for shadow photography without the need for any artificial lighting.

But, you need to know some basics. The shadows are longer during the mornings and evenings because sunlight falls at an angle. Conversely, the shadows are short and sharp in afternoons as the sun is directly overhead. So, if you're looking for clearly outlined shadows, shoot in the middle of the day when the sun's light is strong.

4. Try Different Lighting Techniques

Man in the dark

Take some to learn about the various types of lighting. This is very important if you're trying shadow photography on portraits. Special lighting techniques like Rembrandt or split lighting can add drama to your portraits.

Both of those lighting techniques light up one side of the face, leaving the other side in the shadows, resulting in an edgy composition. Also, you can adjust the intensity of the light to get different looks. The best way to come up with something exciting is by experimenting.

5. Find Interesting Shapes and Patterns

Man with colorful umbrella

Look for grids, nets, or other repeating patterns when shooting shadows. They make for an interesting composition. For example, a hat with a design can cast a unique shadow on your portraits. Likewise, a screen cloth with eyelet designs can cast beautiful patterns on your subject.

You can find patterns when you're out and about too. Look for leaves making attractive designs or streetlight poles making repeating lines.

6. Make the Picture Black and White

Women shadow

Consider decluttering your scene if you want the shadows to steal the show. One way to do that is by changing your image to black and white, either by shooting in black and white on your camera or editing it in post. It simplifies your composition and makes it stand out.

Black and white photos work well for high-contrast scenes. Shadow photos are naturally high in contrast. So, turning them into black and white will elevate the look. Just make sure the background is free from distractions.

7. Tell a Story

Tables in cafe

Although you're going for an unusual look with your shadow photos, don't forget the basics of photography. Storytelling is a crucial tool that will decide the success of your photos, so don't forget to include it.

Your shadow photos must evoke emotion by urging the viewers to feel something or take action. Learning to tell a story through photography is a great skill to develop—it will make you a better photographer.

8. Use the Right Camera Settings

Photo of a camera mode dial

Since shadow photographs are on the dark side, using a high ISO is a no-no. The noise can be evident in dark areas. Remember to shoot with a low ISO setting if you want crisp-looking images.

Also, be mindful about the aperture you choose to photograph the shadows. Shoot with a moderate aperture if you want the shadows to be entirely in focus. A wide aperture creates beautiful bokeh photos, but it won't cut it for your shadow images.

It is good to underexpose your scene purposefully by selecting a faster shutter speed. It will help you preserve the details and improve contrast. You probably already know the benefits of shooting in RAW—you will have greater flexibility when editing underexposed photos.

9. Edit to Make an Impact

Man working on computer

As with every other genre of photography, your shadow photos are not ready straight out of the camera. You need to edit them with your favorite post-production software for them to come alive.

Start by tweaking your shadows and contrast, and then you can add different effects to make your photos pop. Shadow photos are in high contrast pictures, so especially check for chromatic aberration. We have a guide on how to avoid chromatic aberration.

Shoot Shadow Photos With Confidence

It is normal to feel uncomfortable before trying new things. Sometimes, you may feel like avoiding it altogether. At first, you may not feel so confident trying shadow photography. But, a new photography project can be an exciting way to hone your skills and train your eyes.

So, turn the knob on your camera to manual, put on a sturdy hat, and get out in the sun.

Try shadows with natural light first. Then, once you get the hang of it, you can order an inexpensive speedlight to experiment from the comfort of your home. Taking impactful shadow photos is not far from here.