Revisiting the Elements and Principles of design through Light and Shadow Photography

Lines and texture leading to a focal point with lighting adding a dramatic feel to the photograph

Coming from a family of designers from various fields, I have always heard that one has to travel a lot based on where the project takes you. After I joined Unitedworld Institute of Design I just hoped for one moment when I would be sent out of Gandhinagar for just one project of mine. I got that opportunity during the second year of my college life. I went to Vadodara to capture light and shadow photographs to convey the elements and principles of design. But why Vadodara?

Vadodara oversees a tropical climate where they have three main seasons of summer, winter and monsoon. It is a partially landlocked city which is why it experiences some very high temperatures. Due to that property, there are some very harsh shadows which made it easier for me to capture narratives pretty easily.

Shapes, lines and texture

Shapes and textures

I decided to name this photograph Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. It was considered to be the most famous slogan of the French Revolution. The people of France overthrew their ancient government in 1789. They took famous phrase “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité”—Liberty, Equality, Fraternity as their slogan. In fact this is where the Indian Constitution draws its inspiration for their constitution. Equality or doing away with privilege ,was the most important part of the slogan to the French revolutionists.

The photograph which you see over here is actually an iron pole and there were two balls kept on it.

I depicted this photograph to be a french soldier protesting for Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.

Lines portraying rhythm and pattern

This is a photograph of the gate of Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. Eventhough it is just a gate I felt that the shadows were pointing me towards something. The lines of the gate are perfectly straight and perpendicular to each other. But when the sun interacts with it, the lines become tilted where the arrows come into the frame telling every person to go inside.

Balance through shadows at MSU, Vadodara

Texture, pattern and shape showcasing contrast

Lines forming continuity and rhythm

We can see rhythm, continuity and line of sight simply through lines

Multiple lines and shapes leading to variety

Vadodara was just the beginning. One trip changed my perspective of looking at things. Wherever I went I established an eye for observing narrative through the simplest and smallest of things which goes unseen- shadows. That enhanced my skills as a story-teller.