Shadowing

Lighting an object from the front to throw its shadow large onto a wall behind it.

Shadowing places a fixture in front of and below an object, such as a small tree, shrub, or sculpture, and aims it so the object casts a magnified shadow onto a wall or surface behind it. The result is a living piece of art: the silhouette stretches and softens across the backdrop, and on breezy nights the shadow sways with the plant. It is the inverse of silhouetting, where the object stays dark against a lit wall. Shadowing works best with plants that have an interesting branching structure and a clean, light-colored surface behind them. We use it to add drama and a sense of depth to courtyards, entryways, and intimate garden corners.

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