Light, Shadow & Silhouettes in Street Photography

 When I first started this assignment, one of the biggest challenges I faced was my creative process. It wasn’t so much about handling the technical aspects of the camera, but about figuring out how to approach the assignment in a way that felt natural. I found myself overthinking what kinds of images I could capture, which made it harder to simply go out and shoot. Once I pushed past that block, though, the process became both rewarding and eye-opening.

Through this project, my understanding of light and shadow grew a lot. Before, I didn’t always think about how much of a role natural light plays in street photography. Now I see that shadows are everywhere, shaping the way we experience and frame a scene. They aren’t just background elements they can add mood, depth, and balance to an image when used intentionally.

The image I’m most satisfied with is the one of the man riding a bike. I really like how I was able to capture the window reflections from the building across the street. It gave the shot a layered effect, almost as if two scenes were happening at once. That moment showed me how light can transform a simple subject into something more dynamic and visually interesting.

Technically, I leaned into experimenting with composition and being patient enough to wait for the right moment. I tried to place subjects in ways that emphasized both their form and the shadows around them. Adjusting my perspective and making small choices—like framing with reflections or paying attention to the angles of light helped me bring the images closer to the vision I had in mind.

Overall, this assignment taught me that light and shadow aren’t just technical aspects to adjust for; they’re storytelling tools. Every shadow or reflection can add to the narrative, and learning to see them more intentionally has changed the way I approach photography.