and the next theme is...shadow portraits

“Look round and round upon this bare bleak plain, and see even here, upon a winter's day, 

how beautiful the shadows are! Alas, it is the nature of their kind to be so. 

The loveliest things in life are but shadows; and they come and go, and change and fade away...”
~Charles Dickens

Even if it's still winter where you live, chances are there's still some sunshine.  And where there is sunlight, there are shadows.  Photographing shadow portraits is fun, and once you start looking, you can't escape them.  Some days they literally follow you everywhere!

When you begin your shadow hunt, see if you can capture one with an additional object or accessory that adds some visual interest.

Like an umbrella...

                                                                                                 shadow shot by tammy lee bradley

Or a big Texas hat...

You can also look for shadows on interesting backgrounds or landscapes to add some texture and color.

Like a red brick wall (dog optional)...

Or the cliffs of Big Sur...

Whether you head out early in the day when sun hovers low on the horizon making your shadows long and lean or at noon when the sun is high in the sky, we hope you will share the dark and mysterious portraits you capture of yourself, your loved ones, your animals, your friends, or even strangers in our flickr pool this week.

Oh, and make sure to visit tomorrow as Tammy kicks off our 9 days of musing on still lifes.  See you all soon!

~christy of urban muser