18 Amazing Photographs That Use Shadows for Exceptional Composition

Ritesh Saini
Ritesh Saini

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Photography is about capturing light. But that doesn’t mean shadows don’t have a role to play in photography. In fact, far from it.

Shadows help define shapes and add visual depth to photography. They can be used creatively as a primary compositional tool for more impactful images.

In the photographs that you’ll see below, shadows have been used to great effect to elevate composition and form the strong foundation on which each photograph stands. We hope that they inspire you to try some of these ideas in your own photography.

If you’d like to get creative with using shadows in photography, take a look at our creativity prompts on utilizing shadows.

Photo by Rene Böhmer

Photo by Kevin Wolf

Photo by Jacob Mejicanos

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Photo by Joyce McCown

Photo by Harry cao

Get Creative With Using Shadows in Your Photography

If you’re looking for fresh ideas that help beat creativity block, check out our creativity prompts on using shadows in photography for mini lessons and practical assignments in a super-useful quick format that combines inspiration + learning. Click here now to check it out.

Photo by Becky Day

Photo by Cecile Hournau

Photo by Luis Machado

Photo by Marco Bianchetti

Photo by Unjay Markiewicz

Want a secret stash of infinite photography inspiration?

Check out our creativity prompts on using shadows in photography that you can use to spark fresh ideas and beat creativity block. This is inspiration + learning in a super-useful quick format. Think of it like your new secret stash of infinite photography inspiration. Take a look here.

Photo by Prashant Gurung

Photo by Tom Barrett

Photo by Karl Fredrickson

Photo by Devon Wilson

Photo by Ryoji Iwata

Photo by Sereja Ris

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About Ritesh Saini

About Ritesh Saini

Ritesh has been photographing since 2010 and his photographic interests have varied from nature and landscapes to street photography. He recommends the 'Using Shadows in Photography' Creativity Prompts to those who really want to learn and utilize the power of shadows in their photography.

Who is Photzy™ ?

Great question! Photzy.com is an online photography school with a focus on simple, practical tips and tutorials, for beginners.

Since 2012, we’ve grown to a small team of photography enthusiasts from all over the world, teaching over 200,000 students from 180 countries. No matter where your current skill level is, we’d like to help you explore your unique creative side, through photography!

“At Photzy, we believe EVERYONE is creative, and that photography is the best way to explore and share your creative side with the world.”