| Whether you are walking to the office or inside | | | | the shadow will be slightly longer or larger than the |
| reading a book, there will be shadows all around you. | | | | moving object. |
| But have you ever wondered how these are formed | | | | The size of the light source is also crucial in forming |
| in the first place? | | | | shadows. If it is big, then expect the shadows to be |
| Forming shadows require an object to block the | | | | more blurry. Other factors that will come into play will |
| movement of light. We see everything because of | | | | be other light sources or effects that may cause the |
| light, that electromagnetic wave that allows us to view | | | | light to bend. If the light source emanates from |
| the object. For example, if you stand on the sidewalk, | | | | numerous directions and points, you will see several |
| you are able to see the pavement before you | | | | shadows, some of them overlapping. Depending on the |
| because the light that hits its surface bounces back to | | | | color of the light, you will also see shadows of different |
| your eyes. | | | | lights and shades. |
| But if you stand over the spot, the passage of the light | | | | Colored shadows, for the most part, are generated |
| will be blocked by your physical body, forming | | | | when the multicolored light sources produce white light. |
| shadows. The shadow, therefore, is that part of any | | | | If there is no white, the complementary hue for the |
| object which light cannot access. Perhaps an even | | | | lights that are being blocked will be reflected on the |
| better example would be a room. Turn on the light and | | | | shadow. For example, if the light is blue, then the |
| you will see everything; turn it off and there is | | | | shadow that will appear is red, while for green, it can |
| darkness. If you use a low key light, then several | | | | be yellow or purple, depending on the shade. |
| shadows will appear. | | | | With these explanations, it should be obvious why the |
| Although light (or the lack of it) is responsible for | | | | time of day plays a vital role in forming shadows, the |
| forming shadows, there are other things that help | | | | sun being the primary source of light on the objects |
| determine the shape and size of it. In particular if the | | | | around you. However, it would be appropriate to |
| angle of the light and the object is around ninety | | | | dismiss a myth here right now, which is that shadows |
| degrees. If the angle of the light is smaller, then the | | | | get longer as the day fades. The opposite is in fact |
| shadow will be much longer than normal. If the object | | | | the case. |
| that is blocking the path is very near the light source, a | | | | Knowledge is power, it is said, and this is certainly true |
| larger shadow will appear. | | | | in this case. The next time that you are forming |
| The size of the shadows of course, will also be | | | | shadow puppets on the wall, you will have a better |
| determined if the object is in motion. Usually the size of | | | | idea of how these tricks of light are formed. |