“A Face in the Crowd” is this week’s WordPress photo challenge. I picked this photo because the child is focusing on her shadow.
This is my first photo challenge, and what a fun photo to feature. Too much alliteration? Well, it’s a photo of a child and they love playful language, don’t they?
They also go through a stage when they’re intrigued with their own shadow. What an adorable phase. It’s delightful to watch children react to and interact with their shadows. If there’s more than one child, they’ll try to step on each other’s shadows and make a game of it.
I like the contrast of the child’s shadow against the shadows of trees in this photo. Is she aware of the other shadows, too? Or just her own? This photo could actually serve as a writer’s prompt, don’t you think? I wonder if that’s how Peter Pan got started? 🙂
I remember when my grandson wasn’t quite two yet and how seeing his shadow on one wall entertained him every day when the light was at the right angle. It was so cute the way he’d wave his arms, jump up and down and hop back and forth, focusing on his shadow’s mirror image. He even played peekaboo with his shadow when he walked past the corner and his shadow disappeared.
I recorded him one day. Then of course I had to play around with the special effects in iMovie because it’s a kick. I know a video isn’t part of the photo challenge, but it’s a good example of a child’s delightful interaction with his shadow. It still cracks me up when I watch this because he’s so curious, so amused by his shadow.
Seems like such a simple thing, but shadows are actually kind of complex, aren’t they? When it comes to photography, they certainly are for amateurs like me!
What are your thoughts? Do you enjoy watching kids at play? Have you ever watched a child interact with their shadow? Do you enjoy photography? Do you think shadows are tricky?
I’d love to hear from you.
It’s like when they discover mirrors for the first time. Who is that person?
Yes, good point, Alex. They have a lot of fun with mirrors, too!
Super cute video and darling picture of the little girl. That’s their best friend, right there, for the rest of their lives!
The video still makes me laugh. What a treasure to have that memory preserved to enjoy over and over. Shadows are intriguing to kids. I’m impressed by people who do the shadow puppets with their hands and come up with all kinds of creative ideas. Shadows can be quite entertaining!
So cute! I remember being fascinated with my shadow as a little kid, too. Nowadays, they’re a challenge when combining photos with Photoshop. Lighting and/or shadows that differ is a sure sign of an amateur cut-and-paste job!
How cool that you remember being fascinated with your shadow as a kid, Jennette. You have a great memory. You’re right about how lighting and shadows are tricking with altering photos in programs like Photoshop. I’ll have to learn Photoshop one of these days. It’s on my bucket list!