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We had interesting entries and I learned a lot from them about the theme of Shadows in photography. In the end, I found that good contrast from the shadows drew my eye. Some images had beautiful composition and with more contrast to the shadows, would have been more attractive. To me!
Please click on the images to see them in original size; you see so much more that way.
Honorable mentions first.
Shadows...:
...Create a pattern:
Flo Hendry
...can be integral to an abstract subject:
Dennis Camp
...Add depth and mood, without directly being a subject:
Terry Bowker
...Create mystery:
Markus Grompe
Add impact:
Maaike Huizer
I am not sure why I like this one, but I do. It's just a sharp image (perhaps too commercial) but it captures the eye well and the shadows create a late afternoon mood.
Literal and just plain fun.
Monica Memoli
THIRD PLACE:
Maaike Huizer
As I looked at the original size views of the pictures, I saw more in them and realized that here the shadow was adding tension to the image, in terms of asking when the finger would come down. It was an interesting way of contributing to the overall impression.
SECOND PLACE:
Sandi Whitaker
I love how the shadows create splashes of contrast and separate background and foreground light. Very well composed. Clearly evidence of working hard to be in the right place, at the right time, and patiently waiting for the shadows to be just so.
AND THE FIRST PLACE WINNER IS:
Rindra Ramasomanana (many great images in Rindra's galleries)
I like the colors and tones, the clean striking images created by the shadows, that the shadows are clearly the subject, and the playfulness of the subject. The shadows take on a life of their own. This picture has it all for me.
Congratulations Rindra. It's your turn to pick a topic and run the show!
Thanks everyone for your entries!