Chasing Shadows….

Asia, Travel Snippets73 Comments

Perspective and composition, in much of my photography, thus far at least, has been more instinctive and impulsive than deliberate! As has the capturing of light and shadow.

I am in the process of learning to remedy that and pay more attention to the rules. In the meantime here is a selection of serendipitous shadows from our travels…….
Market, Cambodia

Shadow is a colour as light is,
but less brilliant; light and shadow
are only the relation of two tones.
~ Paul Cezanne

Imperial Palace

The true work of art is but
a shadow of the divine perfection
~ Michelangelo

Ballon ride

When walking through the
“valley of shadows,”
remember, a shadow
is cast by a Light
~ Austin O’Malley

Wat Visoun

Sometimes people don’t see shadows.
The Chinese of course never paint them in
pictures, oriental art never deals with shadow.
But I noticed these shadows and…….
I knew it meant it was sunny.
~ David Hockney

Until next time……..happy travels, no matter where life takes you.

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Madhu is an Interior designer turned travel blogger on a long sabbatical to explore the world. When not crafting stories on The Urge To Wander, she's probably Tweeting @theurgetowander or sharing special moments on instagram.com/theurgetowander

73 thoughts on “Chasing Shadows….”

  1. I hear you about paying attention to the rules… I don’t think of shadows and such. Yours are excellent. 😉

  4. I cannot say why, but I say that these photos, along with the accompanying quotes you’ve chosen, lift my heart.

  6. I love your collection of shadows and the quotes. Didn’t know Chinese didn’t show shadows.

    BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!

  7. Your work may be largely intuitive, but it is superbly so. Technique often interferes with instinct. You have mentioned this issue before, I think? Your images are consistently well-composed, rich in color and detail and say what you want them to say. No artist is ever completely satisfied, is he? When I look at your images, I feel as if I am seeing what you see. But, the more important thing is that I see it in the same way that you see it. That is the point at which technique becomes art. Never doubt what the heart sees through the eyes.

    These are wonderful pictures. I particularly like the baskets. Your third eye sees the shadows. 🙂

  8. Great photos, Madhu! I especially like the one of the hot air balloon.
    I recently went to a talk given by a 30+ year National Geographic photographer (what a treat it was). He said rules are good to know, but you don’t always have to use them and sometimes it’s just not convenient to use them; and tossing out the rules can make for a great photo if the composition is good.

  9. I really like the quotes with the photos . It makes the post more interesting. I shall take note of it for my posts 🙂 Thanks for dropping by and loving my hat,I can see it on Manu though I have never met the man.

  11. Madhu, they are all gorgeous! The shadows lent a certain drama to those photos. 🙂 If your instinctive shots look like these, I look forward all the more to your more deliberately composed ones. 🙂

  16. Rules, schmules dear Madhu. Your photos are spot on and beautifully composed. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it!!!! 🙂 Margie

  17. Each picture is beautiful and on reading the quotes their beauty enhances all the more. I love this quote the most “The true work of art is but
    a shadow of the divine perfection” ~ Michelangelo

    Cheers 🙂

  18. The photos are great…makes me wonder what they will look like when you follow the rules 😉 I’m more of a snap and shoot person, but I keep thinking when I get the time I’ll take a course. Have fun learning more, but just so you know, I always like your photos.

  21. very nice and great contrasts. You brought beauty in the ordinary. Yeh it means that surely. Shadows do emphasize the real being.

  22. Just so well done on so many levels, or shades (lol) one could say. I loved your photographs, esp. the very first one and the insightful quotes in-between. Thank you for sharing. 🙂

  28. Excellent shadows there… excellent words to underline the shadows… way to go…!

  29. Your header picture from Patuxai is brilliant! I love the color and the composition.

  30. These images are excellent Madhu, as always a pure joy to look at!
    Have a wonderful day! 🙂

  39. Interesting quote about the Chinese not painting shadows … I hadn’t thought of it but it’s part of what gives Chinese art it’s distinctive look. I particularly like your banner shot and the one with the baskets.

  41. I have a fascination with shadows too Madhu! So, I especially loved this post. Great accompanying quotes…perfect. 🙂

  43. Beautiful as always – and with fitting, beautiful quotes! The one about shadows being cast by light is wonderful. I love all pictures, but maybe the header and the baskets are my favourites.

  44. I love your use of shadows, Madhu: in England I always think of them as monochrome but here you have applied them to vivid colour. Beautiful.

  46. It’s often true that you make your own luck – as proved by your wonderful photos, Madhu 🙂 It’s fun to learn, isn’t it?

  49. Fantastic gallery again – my pick has to be your header image … love the colors and how distinctive the shadows are – excellent photo.

    1. Yes, I was happy with the way that turned out considering I shot it from considerably high up. Thanks Viveka 🙂

      1. It’s a very good photo .. and the shadows are so clear .. and all the colors … there is also a lot of luck involved in a good photo.

  51. Beautiful shadow photos. “A shadow is cast by a Light”, wonderful! Thank you for these inspiring quotes, Madhu!

  53. As always a great post Madhu. I always surprise myself with the light and shadows of a scene. Thank you for sharing. -Max-

  54. Beautiful, Madhu. Loved them all, but was particularly attracted to the colorful fruit in the baskets and their shadows.

    1. Thank you Naomi. That was from a particularly delightful local market some distance from Siem Reap.

  55. Fabulous entry! Gosh, I can’t believe you confessed to some of you composition and light in your photos being instinctive…..that seems to work! Rules sometimes, not so much! I think we need to follow our instincts.

    1. You are right, My images turn out better when I am not worrying too much about settings and such! Thanks Angeline 🙂

      1. You guess you just got lucky,
        so you are very very lucky again and again… 🙂 😉

        I believe that it’s more an excellent understanding of photography
        “the lucky ones are those who seek luck”… 🙂

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