Week 1: Shadow patterns
January 23-29
Hello friends! I hope you’re just as excited as me to start on our very first prompt, shadow patterns. In case you missed it, I published FAQs and tips for setting yourself up for success. Use the comments section below and the Chat feature in the app to discuss the prompt and post your creations!
![](https://digest.jennchen.com/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2f7e25a33e-1f3d-42b0-b89c-754c5a436918_1110x100-4.png)
![](https://digest.jennchen.com/content/images/2024/01/https-3a-2f-2fsubstack-post-media-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2f7ae2b586-c5b6-43b8-bbed-431a43eac2f5_1456x1048-png.jpg)
The idea1 of shadow patterns makes you focus not on what we would usually see—the main subject—and instead, observe a black, gray, monotonous moment; it forces us to ignore the color and details. Patterns can be created or found with sun or artificial light. When walking around, you may find that the fire escape casts a sharp shadow on the building’s side. Shadows can be soft, sharp, looming, frightening, and inspiring.
Examples & directions to go:
- Take a walk and observe the patterns that draw you in
- Pluck leaves or a set of leaves (like a fern) and simulate shadows
- Use colored lights and create your own shadows
- Write the mention of shadow patterns into a flash fiction piece
Mood board & inspiration:
![](https://digest.jennchen.com/content/images/2024/01/7879e3f8-62ab-480d-a5b7-e4bda647282a_451x556.png)
![](https://digest.jennchen.com/content/images/2024/01/29691528-1ba6-4bf3-82b3-a56d88e2ee63_1045x830.png)
![](https://digest.jennchen.com/content/images/2024/01/47701dc6-8a1d-474c-bb76-7254efcfcfa2_459x540.png)
![](https://digest.jennchen.com/content/images/2024/01/7677acae-ccdc-4adf-b0f3-4a3da8b91e5c_434x846.png)
![](https://digest.jennchen.com/content/images/2024/01/6705a223-8070-4d4b-8ed5-e7d0522a63ac_725x555.png)
![](https://digest.jennchen.com/content/images/2024/01/803bd1ff-41fd-422a-ad44-00795f9bb29e_489x633.png)
![](https://digest.jennchen.com/content/images/2024/01/44409a23-9897-4586-bcd8-29c9f358369c_605x434-jpeg.jpg)
![](https://digest.jennchen.com/content/images/2024/01/539516ea-8c8b-4397-8f87-0190f1c983f9_347x407.png)
![](https://digest.jennchen.com/content/images/2024/01/77ff0f1a-85c9-4e64-bee1-191ada3fa886_457x627.png)
Suggested as a photo prompt a while ago by a friend and subscriber! ↩