people shadows

[glorybound]

I know photographers don't want their shadows in the photo, for obvious reasons, but have you ever seen it successfully work; having shadows strategically placed?

I have an exterior scene, with a basketball hoop off screen, but I was thinking about putting a shadow of a man doing a jump-shot to hint of something you can't see.

Would you say this is a no-no, or a rule worth breaking?

[plastic_]

I didn't give people shadows much thought yet, except sometimes adding them in photoshop, if I'm not too lazy.
But tree shadows are a powerful tool to break up large areas, I'm doing that all the time.
IMO every rule is worth breaking, especially composition rules.

[MoonDoggie]

I'd try it. Can't hurt just trying it. It works here.

[Pixelcon]

shadows on large expanses of boring foreground is an easy way to break it up. Photoshopping lots of people shadows can be a pain to maintain correct perspective but it's worth the time spent i reckon.