BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Problems with Images

kelly pot

How do I get rid of this shadow??

Please - can someone tell me why and what I can do about this shadow behind the babies head????

grateful,

Kelly

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October 16, 2004

Buddy Purugganan

Kelly, it's obvious you're using direct flash ( on your camera's hotshoe or sometimes a compact camera ). It would help to use a flash that has "bounce"--IF you are using a professional flash that can be adjusted to direct towards a white or bright colored ceiling, and let the flash bounce the ceiling. Unless you want some strobes and light systems before taking baby pictures---Its BEST to shoot with high ISO film ( ISO 400/800 or maybe 1600...) and let FILL-IN flash be deployed to make the picture look BETTER .....

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October 17, 2004

kelly pot

yes, I do have a professional flash that I can direct towards the ceiling, I just have always hated flash on a baby - this is why I didnt use it. It was ISO 40 film. Thank you so much for the info - any other suggesstions?

Thanks!!

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October 17, 2004

Buddy Purugganan

Try calling Britek ( www.britek-light.com.tw) They have fine professional lights.( and great packages available too ).

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October 19, 2004

kelly pot

Thanks for your help :)

Kelly

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October 20, 2004

Traci D. Brumley

Kelly,
Do you want to "fix" this photo as well? Using photoshop? Let me know.

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October 20, 2004

Tim Chinn

Kelly,
Two more points.
Difuser-even a simple piece of paper taped over can bounce or difuse the light.
Move the subject away from the wall. Even using an extra pillow will help.
If your subject is farthe from the wall the shadow will drop off.
Tim C.

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October 21, 2004

David King

Kelly, I think they missed the part where you said you didn't use flash. However the shadow is coming from whatever the prime light source is, whether from a room light or window light. All solid objects throw shadows. So here are a couple of things to keep in mind when you are shooting.

1.) The closer the object is to the surface upon which it is casting a shadow, the sharper and darker the shadow will be, and 2.) the angle of the light to the subject will determine where that shadow falls.

That suggests some solutions. First try to move the subjects further from the background so that there is nothing on which to cast the shadow. And/or try to orient them so that the shadow is being cast behind them making it less obvious. Combining those will help you direct the shadow.

If you then combine them with the other suggestions to soften the light the shadow, if any remains, will also soften. Here are some make-shift ideas to avoid buying equipment until you are sure what you need. If it's a window light, try putting some diffusion material, even sheer curtain material, over it. If it is a room light, place some diffusion such as tracing or tissue paper between it and the subject.

See if those help at all. if so then you can consider using flash. It is not the flash per se that is the problem with harshness, it is the undiffused light it has. As suggested, bouncing or diffusing it or both may be the simplest solution in the end.

David
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