Using light intentionally means treating it as a tool that shapes and defines your subject rather than something that simply happens to be there, so this week’s Shape With Light theme asked you to create highlight and shadow with purpose. Working with light this way forces you to slow down and notice how a single source can carve out form, direction, and mood, which is where real photographic thinking (and creative storytelling) begins. The five photos below stood out for exactly that reason, and studying them is a reminder that light is your most powerful compositional element in photography.
Browse the full Week 35 Album on 52Frames →
“Cabinet and sun”
Why I liked it: What I love about Carolina’s photo is how she describes in her photo caption that she noticed the way the natural light came through a pantry door she had just opened. This is precisely the 52Frames mentality where we are constantly seeing creative opportunities around us and Carolina captured the moment beautifully
Exif: Apple iPhone 14 pro max · @6.86mm · 1/3200 · f/1.8
“My mother’s old No.1 Kodak Pocket Camera”
Why I liked it: Les’s photo is almost an optical illusion where at first you can’t quite place what it is but once you do you can appreciate the timeless piece that Les is documenting here. A great example of using a rear light or an edge light to just capture the silhouetted frame of a subject. As an aside this is Les’s 556th week submitting in 52Frames!
Exif: Fujifilm X-T1 · Fujifilm 35mm f/1.4 @35mm · 1/200 · f/2.8 · ISO 3200
Tags: #lesgoldfoto #ny52f #70plus #52fuji #cpc #nutty #framerswithchallenges #floridaframers #germanframers
“Portrait”
Why I liked it: Perhaps a simple idea, Andrea’s photo is an absolute abstract masterpiece. I love how the fibrous wand light creates this otherworldly almost digital effect and the long shutter helps to blur some of the facial features in a way that you can’t quite tell what’s reality and what’s manipulated. It’s an absolutely fantastic in-camera effect.
Exif: Nikon Z7 · @36mm · 10" · f/7.1 · ISO 800
Tags: #52colorado #nikonframers #ultimateminigroup #chatterbox #mini52global #sheclicksnet #52sheclicks
Genre: Black & White
“Sunoco Tank No. 1”
Why I liked it: What I love about Louis’s photo is how he had the idea before the photo and was on the lookout for a storage tank that had just this type of stairwell connected to it. He used a sun tracker app to try and find the best time of day to capture it and then relied on a telephoto as he could only get close enough to the subject. That is real grit and determination to bring to life an idea that he had in his mind. I think there are more photo opportunities with this idea if he keeps with it. Definitely a photo that gives you pause.
Exif: Canon EOS R1 · Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 @400mm · 1/800 · f/5.6 · ISO 100
Tags: #aurora #ohio #sunoco #oil #gasoline #bulkterminalstorage #fueltankstorage #staircase #shadows #ephemeris
Genre: Architecture, Fine Art
“My sweet boy”
Why I liked it: Danielle accidentally captured one of the most magical photos in the album. A test shot meant to just see how the lighting looked captured a real moment in time of this precious little boy. What I like the most about this photo is that it perfectly illustrates how a large angled soft light source can truly create shape and life in your subject. The gentle shadow falloff that you could see clearly on the boy’s cheeks is a great display of how light can subtly wrap around your subject in a flattering way. Danielle, your sweet little boy fills me up with emotion. A breathtaking photo you captured.
Exif: Nikon Z6iii · Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 @50mm · 1/100 · f/8 · ISO 100 · flash
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I enjoy very much your chosen photos and the way you describe, why they made an impression on you. This blog is something I really appreciate, Yosef. Thank you!