Playful shadows captured by Anna Janecka on our June photography backdrop
Lately, we’ve been leaning into hard light and using GOBOs to shape our summer shoots. They’re such a simple styling trick to have up your sleeve. A GOBO is basically a “go-between” — something you place between your light and the set to create an eye-catching shadow as part of the composition.
GOBOs are a really easy way to introduce different looks, and you don’t need any specialist kit. Lace, an old colander, dried flowers, woven placemats, cardboard slats — anything with an interesting shape can work. It’s really just a case of holding it in the light, moving it around and seeing what shadows and patterns you can create with it.
Wine image and above images all by Carla Barber www.carlabarberphotography.com. First two shot on our Issy beige stone photography backdrop. Sweetcorn image captured on Seville orange photography backdrop.
Styling tips for GOBOs
It takes a little trial and error to get the effect looking right, but when it works, it can instantly lift a simple shot into something more atmospheric. A well-placed shadow can suggest sunshine filtering through a slatted window, a garden, or a house full of plants, creating a world beyond the frame. It's such a fun and effective way to add mood and texture to a shot!
What types of plants work best?
- Monstera is brilliant for bold, contemporary shots, while olive branches and eucalyptus create finer, more delicate dappling.
- Plants and foliage don’t need to be real — artificial plants work just as well if the shape is right.
- Our favourites are palm leaves, which instantly create a dreamy, open-air, tropical-kitchen feel.
Where should I position the GOBO?
- The closer your GOBO sits to the light source, the softer and larger the shadow becomes. Move it nearer the set and the pattern becomes sharper.
- Even a slight change in angle can completely alter the feel from dappled and natural to bold and graphic.
- You can let the patterned shadows fall across both subject and backdrop, effectively styling with light rather than adding extra props.
How big should the GOBO be?
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A large leaf too close to a small dish can overwhelm the scene, while a finer stem or smaller cut-out keeps the shadow pattern in proportion.
Behind the scenes from a creative lighting demo: Jane @Love Your Lens used a palm GOBO to shape the light and create dramatic shadows with continuous lights. If you're reading this and have any GOBO styling images to share, we'd love to see your work. Tag us @blackvelvetstyling.
