Masks and Gobos
Putting some sort of obstruction between your light source and the subject in order to cast a shadowy pattern may not seem like a natural thing to do, but if done right, the pattern cast can add an interesting new element to the image.
Placing an obstruction between the light and subject has been used in film and theater for years, and manufacturers of film lighting equipment produce an amazing array of accessories to do just this. These are often in the form of masks or gobos, which is an old-fashioned term for something that “goes between” the light and subject. While these aren’t really available for photographic lighting, this is no bad thing, as it’s far better and more fun to use everyday objects to cast shadows, such as ...
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