<p>One thing that is very fascinating about photography is that it offers endless creativity. You get to know the rules and then break them. It's not always about finding the perfect subject but rather about looking for an ordinary subject and making it interesting. Another great way of using your creativity is using light, in particular the shadows cast by the light in your photos.</p>

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<div><a title="Shadow by elif ayse, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elifayse/76292434/">[imageeffect type="frame" align="aligncenter" width="480" height="640" alt="" url="http://thebeginnerslens.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Ring.jpg"]</a>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Shadow by elif ayse</em>
Photo by elif ayse</p>
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<p>Shadows are captivating because they can effectively add a different meaning as well as a dramatic edge to an image. However, most newbie photographers tend to overlook what shadows can do to their pictures. More often than not, they only pay attention to anything illuminated by light. Little do they know that playing with shadows can create an artistic and mysterious feel in a photo.</p>

<p>If you are one of those photographers, worry no more. Shadows can be your adversary but if you know what you are doing, it can be your friend. Follow some pointers written below to improve your shots through the use of shadows:</p>

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	<li><strong>Look for the interesting shadow cast from different objects. This can create a good photo on its own.</strong><br />
 Shadows can be seen in different forms, shapes, and sizes. Experiment with these to make a perfect blend of elements and present it as a nice piece of art. Sometimes, it can even stand out on its own as the very subject of the photo. </li>

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	<li><strong>Use shadows when composing a shot</strong><br />
 Shadows can help you direct the attention of the viewers to the subject through lines formed by an object’s shadow. </li>

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	<li><strong>Shoot before the sun sets to capture long shadows.</strong><br />
 If you live in a place with mild climate, take note that during the coming of autumn and winter, the sun is near the horizon. As a result, shadows appear longer during this time.</li>

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	<li><strong>Make use of silhouettes</strong><br />
 Silhouettes are formed when the subject is underexposed against a bright background. As a result, details of the subject are not revealed in the photo, instead what you see is its shape and form. Used properly and with interesting subject, you can come with a very dramatic picture.</li>
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<p>Remember that there are times when the best subject in a photo can be one that is actually not even concrete and tangible. If you decide to join an online photo contest, try to explore shooting shadows. The best picture might be your very own!</p>