Shadows

A shadow is cast when an object intercepts, or otherwise obstructs light before it reaches the surface onto which it is cast. In the context of a photo, a shadow contains less light information, with deeper shadows containing little to no distinction or variation. That's not to say that there is nothing in the shadows; there almost certainly is something. The issue is, without light, there is no way to know what that something is.

In the psychology of Carl Jung, the shadow refers to the parts of our psyche that are unknown to the light of conscious introspection. The shadow is similar to the concept of ego as described by Sigmund Freud; it can be seen as a repository for many of the negative aspects of our personality like greed, cowardice, and impulsivity. Unlike the ego, however, the shadow can consist of conscious behaviors too.

The shadow could been seen as the parts of ourselves that remain unknown. Because we ‘select’ their traits (by remaining ignorant of them), shadows may not be entirely negative; they can house positive behaviors if we prefer not to look at them in ourselves. Our shadows may be partly composed of our creativity, ambition, or extroversion should we look away from these features of our personality. Keeping this in mind the shadow can be seen as a resource, a reservoir for our lesser known faculties.

Coming to terms with our shadows is an important undertaking, one that may require an entire lifetime. You see, we glimpse our shadows all the time in those around us; the things we criticize in others may be features of our shadow selves. We may be critical of a lazy coworker but quickly justify hours of instagram scrolling at the the same job. We may get cut off but an impatient driver and, while still spitting curses, cut off three other motorist to avenge the slight. The derision we feel toward others can indicate a ‘blindspot’ in our introspection and it is there that the shadow usually resides. When we shine the light of conscious awareness on our own behavior, not only do we learn to deal with our darkness, we can learn to better relate to others as well.

There are lots of ways to confront the darker side of our personality, and if you feel the need for intervention in your behavior please seek professional help. The thing I find helps me is accepting my faults and behavior as my own. If the shadow exist it is because of me and my attitudes and little else. And like the shadows in a photograph they are part of the total picture. When we encounter shadows we shouldn’t immediately view the behaviors and outcomes in a negative light. Rather we should seek an ever increasing awareness of the shadows that reside in each of us, with the emphasis on the 'ever increasing' bit. We will always carry a shadow. But it's darkness and power in our lives depends on our ability to see the shadow for what it is and shine a little light our our own dark sides.

In the world of photography, it’s easy to get lost in the light. We often focus on the light and highlights to the exclusion of the shadows in the frame. We may even work to eliminate the shadows by taking a completely even exposure. While this can produce a pleasing image I find it helpful to consider the shadows as a part of the scene. They make the scene complete, while providing a new dynamic visual element to explore and accentuate. When working with shadows in street photography I’ve found it necessary process the world differently. I look at scenes upside down from the perspective of light; that is to say its helpful to look for hard contrast and bright, washed out shafts of light. The middle of sunny days and the moments before golden hour are my favorite time to seek shadows. Huddling in deep shade watching a ray of light traverse a staircase isn’t the normal course of a photo session, but it is when your thinking in shadows.

When thinking about shadows it best to replace derision and rejection with curiosity and interest. There is a great deal of beauty to be found in the shadowy places of our minds and the world at large and the first step to seeing the beauty in the dark is recognizing the dark as part of the beautiful whole.

(PHOTOS COPYRIGHT OF Tyree Washington)