iPhone Photography: Lights & Shadows. Pro Photos On iPhone

Did you know that your own shadow can be a valuable artistic tool, not a mistake?

Pasha Francuz
4 min readJul 9, 2023
Interview the Guardian, 14th IPP Awards 2021, featured by apple Instagram, GQ, published at Photobook by PhMuseum edited by Jason Fulford, PhMuseum features on Buzzfeed, …

… Did you know that your own shadow can be a valuable artistic tool, not a mistake? Did you know that observing other people can improve your photography? Have you seen how a cinematic approach changes your shot?

If you answered NO 😃 to any of these questions, then this lesson is for you! iPhone photography lesson: “Lights & Shadows” is a comprehensive online photography course that will teach you everything you need to know about taking incredible photos with your iPhone. The passion that is always with you — in your pocket!

Dedicated to you. You are the creator. Please, be bold!

Lights & Shadows, a part of the project “Explore Your Pocket Creativity ®” from Pasha Francuz. This is an online course (8 lessons) that teaches you how to capture the beauty of everyday life with your mobile iPhone. You will learn how to create stunning photos with a cinematic style and some backstage magic, all designed in California with love for you 🖤. In this iPhone lesson, I will share with you the 5 key elements of Light & Shadows photography, a style that I developed for you, the creator. You will see how I shoot in real situations and what techniques, tips, and tricks I use to make my photos stand out.

In this part of lesson 4 “Lights & Shadows”, I wanna talk with you about the core ingredients of this method. Actually, this is one of my favorites. And It’s a unique experience.

Because, remind you: the light is your best friend, it’s kind of your partner in the way of the goooooood photo storytelling.

So, What’s inside?

Take a look at this sample 👇🏻

iPhone Photography Course Sample: Lights & Shadows + Photo Editing by VSCO: Grain Tool Sample

You will discover how to use these three concepts to create amazing photos:

  1. Caravaggio” Concept: How to use dramatic lighting and contrast to create depth and emotion.
  2. Silhouette” Concept: How to use backlighting and shapes to create mystery and intrigue.
  3. Shadow” Concept: How to use shadows and patterns to create texture and mood.

Please check out this visual example I prepared for you below 👇🏻

There are from left to right: “Silhouette” + “Caravaggio” + “Shadow” concepts

Remember this is a passion that is always with you in your pocket 🤳🏼. All photo shoots had been done only on the apple iPhone 6, X, and 11 Max Pro.

“Silhouette” concept in action — take a look at this video👌🏻

1. Lights are your best friend. Fundamental Basics

I pow you to ‘read’ the light in any location, and teaches you the fundamentals of lighting in a way that can be easily, and practically applied. Time of the day. “Shooting into the light 🙌🏻”. Playing with exposure. Natural light. Why does it work? Crisp shadows how and why. Seek out the best lighting.

San Mateo, 2021

2. Crisp Shadows

I teach you to use less light in a frame by setting the exposure. I mean to emphasize the effect by boosting exposure + photo app. Time impacts on how the light will be a “drawing shadow” contrast tool.

San Francisco, 2022

Concept 1. Caravaggio”

How to use dramatic lighting and contrast to create depth and emotion.

Caravaggio Concept

Concept 2. Silhouette”

How to use backlighting and shapes to” create mystery and intrigue.

Silhouette Concept

Concept 3. “Shadow”

How to use shadows and patterns to create texture and mood.

Shadow Concept

Remember this is a passion that is always with you in your pocket 🤳🏼. All photo shoots had been done only on the apple iPhone 6, X, and 11 Max Pro.

And finally, a cool picture from the filming:

Dedicated to you. You are the creator. Please, be bold 🖤
@masterpasha.photography

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Pasha Francuz

I’ll stop you at the moment to see how to eat with your eyes first, with no camera at all! It’s a place where I'll guide you by just slowly observing life …