Hey Reader,

Let's talk shadows and a mistake you're probably making.

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Almost every week during student reviews, I notice the same thing. They focus so much on light and how it should look that they completely forget about the shadows.

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I believe that shadows are just as vital a part of a composition as everything else. Sometimes, they are even the main character.

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So how do I decide what the shadows look like and where to place them?

A few things:

1️⃣ A shadow should not overlap the main character (or at least not in an obstructive way)

2️⃣ Another thing I always check is if the shadow is covering any important parts of the scene, and here I see the most mistakes. Often, my students place interesting supporting elements in the frame, but they place them in the shadows. Instantly, they lose contrast and visibility of that item. And not only that, but it often also looks awkward.

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Let me show you what I mean.

These are two examples, where I placed some elements into shadow only to realize they became distracting or unnecessary.

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I'm not saying you should never place anything in a shadow. That would actually look weird and unnatural. But be mindful of where your shadows lie and adjust your compositions accordingly.

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I know this tip might sound trivial, but it's also one of the most often overlooked mistakes in food photography.
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And the crucial point is not only understanding how light works but also how it affects your scene. This is often the difference between a technically correct image and a compelling one.

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Understanding shadows is often the turning point for my students. And suddenly, compositions feel calmer.
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So here's your reminder to check your shadows on your next photoshoot.
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And if you want to delve deeper into light, here are some options:
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👉 Food To Frame Mastermind if you're starting out and want a step-by-step dive into understanding how to photograph food.

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👉 Artificial Light On-Demand Workshop if you want to move beyond natural-light limitations, know how to operate flash, and create different looks with artificial light.

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Sometimes improving your photography starts with noticing what you didn’t see before.
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Talk to you next week,

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