Casting Shadows from Objects to Create Graphical Interest on a Portrait

Being resourceful at a shoot on location is crucial to getting the most out of any place. For example, in the wild predators use and eat everything in their environment. They use the grass to hide, the trees to sleep, animals to eat, and so forth. So, keep your eyes open at all times, because in photography everything can take on a different look depending on how the object is lit and the settings on your camera. To illustrate how important and exciting this technique can be, let’s look at some examples.

I photograph fine-art nudes for clients looking for something artsy and abstract but not revealing. I’ve learned to cover parts of the body using objects or shadows. Initially I didn’t see objects as potential coverings, and I never thought about “painting” the light and shadows on my subjects. This zebra-like nude, taken in the middle of the day, was created using only the blinds from a window. I opened and closed the blinds until the shadows they cast were painted just right on the model (7.10 and 7.11). The black background is simply a 10-foot-wide black paper roll I laid down to remove any distractions from the black and white stripes. I used no external lights or reflectors, only natural light.